Ryan Coogler's Vampire Epic Leads 98th Academy Awards Race, Surpassing Long-Standing Record Set by 'Titanic,' 'La La Land' and 'All About Eve'

Los Angeles, January 22, 2026 — In a stunning announcement that rewrote Academy Awards history, Ryan Coogler's supernatural thriller *Sinners* secured an unprecedented 16 nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, the most ever received by a single film.

The Warner Bros. release, a blues-infused Southern Gothic vampire story set in 1930s Mississippi and starring Michael B. Jordan, surpassed the previous record of 14 nominations—previously shared by All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997), and La La Land (2016). The nominations were revealed Thursday morning by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Sinners earned nods across nearly every major category, including:

- Best Picture (produced by Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian)
- Best Director (Ryan Coogler)
- Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan, in his first-ever Oscar nomination)
- Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku)
- Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo)
- Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler)
- Best Casting (Francine Maisler) — a relatively new category
- Best Cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw)
- Best Costume Design
- Best Film Editing
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- Best Production Design
- Best Sound
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Original Score
- Best Original Song (“I Lied to You”)

The film's sweeping technical and artistic recognition reflects its critical acclaim, commercial success (grossing $368 million worldwide), and cultural impact as a horror-fantasy rooted in Black Southern traditions.

Coogler's achievement positions Sinners as the clear frontrunner for Best Picture at the ceremony, set for March 15, 2026. The film outpaced other strong contenders, including Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another (13 nominations) and others like Marty Supreme, Frankenstein, and Sentimental Value (nine each).

Industry observers noted the nominations highlight a shift toward genre-blending films with strong storytelling and visual ambition. Sinners combines vampire lore with historical and musical elements, earning praise for its atmospheric direction, performances, and innovative score.

The record-breaking haul also underscores Jordan's rising star power following his collaborations with Coogler on Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther.

Full nominee lists and reactions continue to dominate entertainment headlines as Hollywood turns its focus to the upcoming awards season.