Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners” made history by earning 16 nominations at the 98th Academy Awards. This total surpassed the previous record of 14 nominations held by films such as La La Land, Titanic and All About Eve.

Industry observers noted that this achievement marked a rare milestone for a film in awards season. Sinners’s nominations spanned across major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor, pushing the film to the centre of the awards conversation.

🏆 Historic Recognition Across Categories

The film secured nominations for its lead performance by Michael B. Jordan, as well as nods for supporting roles, screenplay, cinematography, visual effects and costume design. Jordan stood out as a contender in the Best Actor category. In addition, Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku earned supporting acting nominations for their work in the film.

Moreover, Sinners received recognition in several craft and technical categories, reinforcing its broad appeal to Academy voters. Its blend of genre storytelling and artistic ambition helped the film connect with both mainstream and technical branches of the Academy.

📽️ Record Compared With Other Films

Before Sinners arrived on the Oscar nomination list, a handful of films tied the nominations record with 14 nods. Films such as La La Land, Titanic and All About Eve once shared this benchmark. However, Sinners’s haul of 16 nominations reset the standard and made it the most-nominated film in Oscar history.

The film also sits among other highly recognised movies this year, including One Battle After Another, which earned 13 nominations and competed in several major categories.

🎥 The Film and Its Themes

“Sinners” blends supernatural elements with deep social and cultural themes, portraying characters in the Segregation-era American South. The film’s narrative weaves blues music and historical context into a story that transcends typical genre boundaries.

Critics praised the film for its bold storytelling and fresh voice on the awards circuit. At the same time, audiences responded strongly at the box office, where Sinners enjoyed significant success before awards season.

🗓️ Oscar Ceremony and Outlook

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Conan O’Brien is set to host the event once again.

Analysts say that Sinners’s record-breaking nominations could boost viewership for the broadcast, especially as the film competes in top categories. Additionally, the Academy’s decision to introduce new award categories this year has influenced how nomination totals appear.