Warner Bros. Film 'Sinners' Makes Oscar History with Record 16 Nominations
The Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. film Sinners has achieved a historic milestone by securing a record-breaking 16 Academy Award nominations, including nods for Best Picture and Best Director. This achievement places it at the forefront of this year's highly competitive Oscar race.
Record-Breaking Achievement and Studio Dominance
Sinners, a gripping tale about twin brothers battling vampires in the segregated Mississippi of the 1930s, has surpassed the previous record of 14 nominations held by cinematic classics such as All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film amassed an impressive $368 million in global ticket sales last year, with the majority of its revenue generated in the United States and Canada.
Warner Bros. has demonstrated remarkable dominance in this year's nominations, accumulating a total of 30 Oscar nods (excluding short films). This impressive haul not only leads all studios but also signifies a significant turnaround for the film division, which is helmed by Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy. This success underscores why Warner Bros. has become a central figure in the intense takeover battle between industry giants Netflix Inc. and Paramount Skydance Corp.
Competitive Best Picture Race and Other Major Contenders
The competition for the coveted Best Picture award is exceptionally fierce this year. Alongside Sinners, several other critically acclaimed films have emerged as strong contenders:
- One Battle After Another: Also from Warner Bros., this film garnered 13 nominations. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a disillusioned revolutionary on a mission to rescue his daughter from his former adversary, it received accolades for its actors, original score, and adapted screenplay. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it has earned $206 million at the box office.
- Sentimental Value: This Norwegian family drama from independent distributor Neon received 9 nominations, including Best Picture, with several of its actors also recognized.
- Marty Supreme: An independent release from A24, this film about a ping-pong hustler in 1950s New York earned 9 nominations, including Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet and Best Original Screenplay.
- Frankenstein: Directed by Guillermo del Toro and released by Netflix, this film also secured 9 nominations.
- Hamnet: Produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Chloé Zhao, this fictional story about William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes grieving the loss of their son received 8 nominations, including Best Actress for Jessie Buckley. It has grossed $28 million since its November release.
Notably, all these films were featured in the American Film Institute's list of the top 10 movies of 2025 and have previously won Golden Globe awards, further highlighting their critical and commercial success.
Warner Bros.' Strategic Turnaround and Leadership Validation
The studio's remarkable performance at the Oscars marks a dramatic reversal from early last year. At that time, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav contemplated replacing the leadership duo of De Luca and Abdy due to concerns over escalating costs and a series of underperforming releases.
However, the subsequent success of films like A Minecraft Movie, which became the highest-grossing domestic film of 2025, and Superman from DC Studios, which revitalized the company's superhero franchise, led to a change in fortune. This positive trajectory prompted Zaslav to extend the contracts of De Luca and Abdy in October 2025.
In an internal memo to employees, Zaslav expressed his elation, stating, "This is a truly golden moment for our company and also a powerful validation of our strategy: to believe in movies, to believe in original storytelling, and to believe in the theatrical experience."
Oscars Ceremony Details
The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 15 in Los Angeles. Comedian Conan O'Brien will return as host for the second consecutive year, adding his unique flair to the prestigious event.
This year's Oscars not only celebrate cinematic excellence but also highlight the resilience and strategic evolution of one of Hollywood's most iconic studios, Warner Bros., as it continues to shape the future of filmmaking.
