98th Oscar nominees unite for annual class photo as ‘Sinners’ leads the race

The nominees for the 98th Academy Awards gathered on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, for their annual class photo at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles following the nominees at the grand luncheon that was hosted. This tradition brings together actors, directors, and filmmakers ahead of the ceremony, airing live on March 15, hosted by Conan O’Brien.

The luncheon at the Academy Museum marked the first major gathering since nominations were announced on January 22. Nominees posed on bleachers for the group photo, a staple event that returned fully after variations in prior years. Leading films included 'Sinners' with 16 nominations, 'One Battle After Another' with 13, and 'Sentimental Value' and 'Hamnet' each with 8.

Standout acting nominees

Acting contenders featured a mix of veterans and first-timers. Emma Stone, Kate Hudson, Jessie Buckley, Renate Reinsve, and Rose Byrne represented strong female performances. Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, Wagner Moura, Benicio del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Delroy Lindo, Sean Penn, and Stellan Skarsgård competed in lead and supporting categories. Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor rounded out the list, with nine actors earning their first nods, including Michael B. Jordan, Wagner Moura, Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Renate Reinsve, Jacob Elordi, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor.

Notable attendees and atmosphere

Other prominent figures at the event included Chloé Zhao, Yorgos Lanthimos, Diane Warren, Joseph Kosinski, and Geeta Gandbhir. The Beverly Hilton hosted related arrivals, with red carpet coverage starting at 2 p.m. ET via Associated Press live stream. No direct quotes from nominees appear in coverage of the photo session.

Awards context
The 98th Oscars recognize achievements in various categories, with the class photo featuring the buzz before the March 15 ceremony at the Dolby Theatre. The movie 'Sinners' has dominated the nominations, implying that it is a frontrunner. The event brings together some of Hollywood’s crème de la crème in a waiting game.
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