"The Sinners" has tied with "Titanic" in terms of the number of nominations for the 2026 Oscars.

Ryan Coogler's vampire film has become the main record-holder in the Oscar race, securing 16 nominations.

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the list of nominees for the 2026 Oscars, and the ceremony's biggest surprise is director Ryan Coogler's film The Sinners. The vampire horror, set in the American South during the Great Depression, received 16 nominations, thereby matching the historical record previously set by only a few films, including James Cameron's iconic Titanic.

Such a number of nominations has automatically made The Sinners the central topic of discussion within both the professional community and the specialized press, as genre films rarely achieve this scale of recognition from the Academy.

A Record Comparable to Cinematic Legends

Sixteen nominations is an achievement that only a handful of films in the awards' history have managed to reach. Prior to this, similar results had been attained by films such as Titanic (1997), long considered the benchmark for combining commercial success with academic acclaim.

For The Sinners, this achievement is particularly notable given the film's genre. A vampire horror film, albeit with distinct dramatic and social undertones, was initially not seen as an obvious frontrunner in the Oscar race.

Main Competitors and the Fight for the Top Prize

Alongside The Sinners, the political satire One Battle After Another has become a serious contender, with 13 nominations. Both films are contenders in the main category—Best Picture.

Their competitors in the race for the top prize are projects of various genres and scales: Frankenstein, Bugonia, Hamnet, Marty the Magnificent, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, Formula 1, and Secret Agent. This lineup of nominees highlights the genre diversity of the current Oscar season.

Unexpected Success Amidst Studio Challenges

The record number of nominations came as a surprise even to industry analysts. The year has been challenging for Warner Bros., whose leadership—Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy—faced harsh criticism at the beginning of the year. Rumors about the possible resignation of top executives circulated widely in the American film industry following a series of major box-office failures.

Against this backdrop, the decision to invest significant funds into Ryan Coogler's dark vampire saga seemed risky. However, the final result shows that the bet on a non-standard project paid off—both in terms of artistic recognition and the studio's reputation.

Nominations in Key Categories

The Sinners is represented in several prestigious categories. The film will compete for awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The Academy also singled out the acting performances, further strengthening the film's position in the overall race.

How many of the 16 nominations will ultimately translate into statuettes will be revealed on March 15, 2026, when the Academy Awards ceremony takes place.