98th Oscars® Record-Breaking Morning: A New Era of Inclusivity or a Final Stand for the Icons?

 

The Academy’s 98th Oscars® Record-Breaking Morning: A New Era of Inclusivity or a Final Stand for the Icons? 

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, announced Thursday morning, may well be remembered as the moment the Oscars finally synchronized with the global pulse of modern cinema. In a year defined by massive studio gambles and intimate international portraits, the Academy signaled a shift toward an expansive definition of "prestige" while honoring the legacy of its most decorated titans. 

Leading the charge is Ryan Coogler’s Southern Gothic epic, "Sinners," which shattered records with a staggering 16 nominations. Coogler, who secured his first nomination for Achievement in Directing and a second for Best Picture, has moved from blockbuster architect to the Academy's most vital voice. The film’s dominance—including first-time acting nods for Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo—validates a high-budget, original story rooted in African American culture. 

The morning was a landmark for Latino talent, though it was marked by a bittersweet "split" for its most famous visionary. Guillermo del Toro, the pride of Guadalajara, saw his gothic masterpiece "Frankenstein" land a Best Picture nomination—a second for him and producer J. Miles Dale after their win for "The Shape of Water." However, in one of the morning's most baffling snubs, del Toro was left out of the Best Director category, despite the film’s nine total nominations. 

Elsewhere, the Latino community saw historic gains: Wagner Moura’s Brazilian Milestone: For his role in the political thriller "The Secret Agent," Moura became the first Brazilian man nominated for Best Actor. The film also secured a Best Picture nod for producer Emilie Lesclaux.

Benicio Del Toro’s Return: The Puerto Rican icon earned his third career nomination for Best Supporting Actor in "One Battle After Another," proving his enduring status as one of the most formidable actors of his generation.

Fernanda Torres ("I'm Still Here"): Torres earned a Best Actress nod nearly three decades after her mother's historic nomination, a massive win for Brazilian cinema. 

The push for diversity found its strongest footing in the documentary fields, headlined by a historic masterclass from Geeta Gandbhir. The Indian-American filmmaker became the first Indian woman to land two nominations in one year, securing nods for Best Documentary Feature Film for "The Perfect Neighbor" and Best Documentary Short Film for "The Devil Is Busy." This achievement stood in stark contrast to the snub of the Indian feature "Homebound," which was omitted from the Best International Feature race. 

While new voices broke through, the "Old Guard" proved their relevance. Steven Spielberg extended his own record with a 14th Best Picture nomination for "Hamnet," while Paul Thomas Anderson reached his 14th overall nomination for "One Battle After Another." 

Emma Stone continues to rewrite history with "Bugonia." Nominated for both Best Actress and Best Picture (as a producer alongside Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, and Yorgos Lanthimos), she is the first woman to be nominated for both acting and producing on the same film twice. At 37, she has officially surpassed Meryl Streep’s pace, becoming the youngest woman to reach seven career nominations. Similarly, Timothée Chalamet secured a dual-nomination day, recognized for his leading role in "Marty Supreme" and his first-ever nod as a producer. 

The morning’s casualties were high-profile. Beyond the del Toro director snub, the most glaring omission was the total shutout of "Wicked: For Good," which received zero nods, leaving Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo out of the race entirely. Other notable snubs included Paul Mescal ("Hamnet"), who missed a Best Supporting Actor nod despite his film's otherwise strong performance. 

As the industry prepares for the ceremony on March 15, hosted by Conan O’Brien, the 2026 nominations stand as a testament to a changing Hollywood—one where Guillermo del Toro remains a titan, Brazilian actors are leading men, and South Asian documentarians are setting the gold standard.