Oscars 2026 shortlist: 'Sinners,' 'Frankenstein,' 'Wicked' lead the race
17 Dec 2025

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the shortlists for the 12 categories in the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.

Ryan Coogler's Sinners, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, and Jon M Chu's Wicked: For Good are among the top contenders.

The shortlisted films are now eligible for the next round of voting, which will determine the final nominations for the Oscars, set to be held on March 15 at Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood.

Cinematography, casting, song, makeup and hairstyling got shortlists
Top contenders

Sinners was shortlisted in makeup, cinematography, casting, hairstyling, sound, score, visual effects, and original song categories.

Wicked: For Good was shortlisted in cinematography, makeup and hairstyling, casting, original score, sound, and visual effects.

Frankenstein also performed well with mentions in casting, cinematography, makeup and hairstyling, sound, and visual effects.

'Homebound' and 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' among international films
International feature films

In the International Feature Film category, India's Homebound was shortlisted along with 14 other films.

The contenders include Belen (Argentina), The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just An Accident (France), Sound of Falling (Germany), The President's Cake (Iraq), Kokuho (Japan), All That's Left Of You (Jordan), Sentimental Value (Norway), Palestine 36 (Palestine), No Other Choice (South Korea), Sirat (Spain), Late Shift (Switzerland), Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia).

Other shortlisted films and upcoming Oscar nominations
Additional contenders

Both Wicked and Sinners bagged double mentions in the Original Song category, coming out as the board leaders with eight mentions.

The shortlisted titles for visual effects are Avatar: Fire and Ash, FI, Frankenstein, Jurassic World Rebirth, Sinners, Superman and Wicked: For Good among others.

Oscar nominations voting will take place from January 12-16 with final nominations announced on January 22.