As the 98th Academy Awards approaches on March 15, the Best Picture race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. This year’s nominees span a wide range of genres and styles, from major box office hits and large-scale studio productions to bold auteur projects and quieter, character-driven dramas. Together, these films reflect the diverse storytelling that defined cinema over the past year. Here are the 10 films that shaped the 2026 Oscars season
Sinners
Fresh off sweeping several awards ceremonies this season, Sinners has quickly become one of the strongest contenders in this year’s Best Picture race. Ryan Coogler’s thriller follows twin brothers returning to their hometown, only to confront a dark force tied to the region’s hidden past. Blending historical drama with supernatural horror and blues-infused musical energy, the film stands out for its bold style and immersive world-building. Michael B. Jordan’s commanding dual performance as the Smokestack twins gives the story emotional weight, making it one of the year’s most talked-about films.
One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another arrives with the scale and prestige expected from one of today’s most respected directors. The political drama follows a former radical living off the grid who is drawn back into conflict when a dangerous enemy, Colonel Steven J., threatens his daughter. As old alliances resurface, the story explores themes of paranoia, legacy and generational conflict. Leonardo DiCaprio leads with a powerful performance, while Anderson’s sharp writing and dark humor deliver gripping drama and thoughtful commentary, making it another strong contender on the list.
Marty Supreme
Directed by Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme brings a distinctive sports story into the awards conversation. Set in 1950s New York, the film follows a gifted but morally ambiguous table-tennis player chasing success while navigating fame, ambition and social climbing. Timothée Chalamet’s energetic performance anchors the film as Marty rises from the Lower East Side to international tournaments. Safdie’s fast-paced directing style captures both the thrill of competition and the pressure behind it, turning the film into an engaging character study as much as a sports drama.
F1: The Movie
F1: The Movie puts audiences right in the heart of the high-adrenaline world of Formula 1 racing. Brad Pitt stars as a veteran driver returning to the sport after decades away, joining the fictional APXGP team while mentoring a young and ambitious teammate. Filmed during real Grand Prix weekends, the movie captures the intensity and danger of elite racing. While the story follows a familiar comeback arc, the immersive racing sequences and large-scale production make it one of the most visually thrilling films among this year’s Best Picture nominees.
Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein brings the classic story back with the director’s signature gothic style. The film looks not only at Victor Frankenstein’s ambition but also at the tragic humanity of the creature he creates. Del Toro’s detailed sets and atmospheric visuals give the story a haunting beauty. By focusing on loneliness, responsibility and the consequences of creation, the film transforms a familiar tale into an emotionally powerful and visually striking addition to this year’s lineup.
Hamnet
Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, Hamnet tells the emotional story behind William Shakespeare’s family life and the loss of his young son. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film centers on Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, played by Jessie Buckley, whose performance has earned major awards recognition this season. Through gentle storytelling and intimate performances, the film explores grief, love and how tragedy can shape creativity, making it one of the most moving entries.
Bugonia
Yorgos Lanthimos returns with another unusual and intriguing film in Bugonia, reuniting with Emma Stone after Poor Things. The story follows two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap a powerful businesswoman because they believe she is secretly an alien infiltrator. What begins as an absurd premise gradually unfolds into a sharp dark comedy about paranoia, belief and power in modern society. Lanthimos’s distinctive visual style and unpredictable storytelling give the film a unique voice in this year’s Best Picture lineup.
Train Dreams
Based on Denis Johnson’s novella, Train Dreams offers a quieter and more reflective viewing experience. Directed by Clint Bentley, the film follows a logger in the early American West as he builds a life with his wife and daughter while watching the frontier change around him. When a devastating wildfire destroys his home and family, he is left to live a solitary life shaped by memory and loss. Joel Edgerton leads the film in this poetic story about resilience and the passage of time.
Sentimental Value
Sentimental Value explores family memory and unresolved relationships through the story of two sisters reconnecting with their estranged father, a well-known filmmaker who returns after their mother’s death. When one daughter refuses to star in his autobiographical film, he casts a Hollywood actress instead, reopening old tensions within the family. Directed by Joachim Trier and led by Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård, the film blends subtle humor with emotional depth while reflecting on family, memory and artistic ambition.
The Secret Agent
Set during Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s, The Secret Agent blends political drama with a tense spy story. Wagner Moura plays a widowed professor who becomes a target after confronting a corrupt businessman. Forced into hiding in Recife, he tries to reunite with his young son while planning an escape abroad. Against the lively backdrop of Carnival, the film contrasts vibrant celebrations with growing danger, creating a gripping story about fear, courage and survival under an oppressive regime.
