5 Minutes
Overview: The Academy's Shortlists Drop
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled its shortlists for 12 key categories in the run-up to the 98th Oscars. These preliminary lists are the first official signal of which films, performances, and crafts are clearing the initial hurdle toward final nominations. Voting to determine the nominees across all 24 categories opens Monday, January 12 (22 Dey in the Persian calendar) and closes Friday, January 16 (26 Dey); the final nominees will be announced on Thursday, January 22 (2 Bahman). The awards ceremony itself is scheduled for March 1 (11 Esfand) with Conan O’Brien set to host.
Acting & Performance: Bold choices and streaming power
Leading the acting shortlist are contenders like Frankenstein (Netflix) with Robin D. Cook, Hamnet (Focus Features) featuring Nina Gold, and A24’s Marty Supreme starring Jennifer Venditti. The list mixes prestige-studio period pieces (Hamnet) with streaming heavyweights and indie provocateurs — a pattern we’ve seen increasingly in recent years as Netflix and Neon consolidate awards-season influence.
Notable mentions include Sentimental Value (Neon), Sinners (Warner Bros.), and Wicked: For Good (Universal) which nudges the musical-adaptation conversation back into awards territory. Expect debates about whether broad-audience tentpoles like Wicked or franchise-anchored entries can translate box-office fame into acting recognition.
Cinematography, Makeup, Sound and Visual Effects
Cinematography shortlists showcase a range from the intimate Ballad of a Small Player (Netflix) to spectacle-driven entries like F1 and Frankenstein. The Alto Knights and Frankenstein also appear among Makeup & Hairstyling contenders, while technical categories feature heavy hitters such as Avatar: Fire and Ash, F1, Tron: Ares and Superman in sound and visual effects lists.
This split between intimate camerawork and blockbuster VFX reflects a broader industry trend: awards voters are recognizing both craft-driven indie work and high-end technical achievements, rather than privileging only one style.
Music & Song: A mix of orchestral scores and pop moments
Original score shortlists include Avatar: Fire and Ash, Bugonia, and the period-laced Hedda and Hamnet. The Original Song contenders feature eclectic entries from Tron: Ares and Diane Warren: Relentless to numbers from Wicked: For Good and Sinners — a reminder that songs tied to visual identity can still break through in a crowded season.
Documentaries and Shorts: Global stories, urgent themes
The long documentary shortlist narrowed 201 eligible films to 15, with titles such as The Alabama Solution, Mr. Nobody against Putin, and 2000 Meters to Andriivka making the cut. Short documentary and short film lists similarly highlight a range of human-rights work, environmental pieces, and personal essays (All the Empty Rooms; Armed Only with a Camera).
International Feature contenders reveal the global breadth of this year’s field: Argentina’s Belén, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, Germany’s Sound of Falling, Japan’s Kokuho, Norway’s Sentimental Value, Palestine 36, South Korea’s No Other Choice, Spain’s Sirât and others. The Academy defines an international feature as a feature-length film produced outside the U.S. whose predominant language is not English — and this shortlist underscores how global cinema is driving awards-season narratives.
Context and critical take
There’s a clear split this year between prestige art-house fare and high-budget spectacle. Frankenstein and Hamnet represent the former’s emotional and craft-driven appeal, while F1, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Tron: Ares show studios doubling down on technical excellence. Industry observers note that streaming platforms are now as competitive as legacy studios in technical categories, not just acting or directing races.
"The 2026 shortlists show a hybrid era for cinema: awards voters are rewarding both intimate storytelling and cinematic spectacle," says film critic Anna Kovacs. "Expect the final nominee list to reflect a tug-of-war between streaming campaigns and traditional studio marketing — and a few surprises from international cinema."
Trivia and behind-the-scenes: Conan O’Brien’s return as host adds a late-night comedic sensibility that studios hope will energize ratings; meanwhile, several shortlisted films (notably Frankenstein and Sinners) have already built passionate online fan communities pushing awards campaigns across social platforms.
Whether you follow Oscars predictions closely or simply love discovering standout films, these shortlists are the best early barometer. Final nominees on January 22 will crystallize the race — but for now, the lists give us a vivid snapshot of a film year where global voices, streaming platforms, and technical artistry share the stage.
Comments
astroset
Wait, Frankenstein and Hamnet both up? Love that. Streaming is king now, but will Wicked really get acting love? kinda nervous, lol
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