'Sinners' vs 'One Battle After Another': Which film could be the biggest Oscar winner in 2026?

The 98th Academy Awards are coming up, and honestly, this year feels like one of the most unpredictable in a long time. At the front of the pack, you’ve got Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ and Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’. Both films are grabbing headlines and racking up nominations for Best Picture, Best Director—you name it. Fans and Oscar-watchers are already arguing: which one snags the biggest trophies? And will someone else crash the party at the last minute?

‘Sinners’: Shattering records and expectations

‘Sinners’ just made Oscar history with 16 nominations, the most any movie has ever gotten. It’s a supernatural thriller set in 1930s Mississippi, where twin brothers come home to start a blues club. But it’s not just about music and family drama; the story pulls you into racial conflict, injustice, and, out of nowhere, vampires. Michael B. Jordan delivers a knockout performance, playing both brothers. And then, there’s Hailee Steinfeld and Nigerian-British actress Wunmi Mosaku—giving each other a run for their money. Don’t forget the Buddy Guy cameo in the end, the final surprise reveal!




Why ‘Sinners’ stands out? It’s bagged nominations in almost all the categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and more. The film holds its gravity with both the emotional core and its bold storytelling style. Technically, it’s top-notch too. Cinematography, score, production design—it checks all the boxes.

But there’s a catch. ‘Sinners’ isn’t your standard Oscar bait. Mixing horror with historical drama isn’t very formulaic and might rub some voters the wrong way. The supernatural twist and heavy themes could split the vote, especially among people who want a more traditional drama to win.

‘One Battle After Another’: The all-over favorite

Right behind ‘Sinners’, ‘One Battle After Another’ scored 13 nominations. It’s a sweeping political and family drama focused on an aging revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his daughter, set during times of chaos and change. Cinephiles can’t stop talking about the story’s complexity and the way Paul Thomas Anderson pulls everything together.

Strengths? The film’s already picked up major critics’ awards, including Best Picture and Director in the lead-up to the Oscars. The cast is stacked, with multiple acting nods, and the story digs deep into human relationships—the kind of thing Oscar voters usually love.

But not everyone’s sold. For starters, the movie’s a bit long and heavy, which could make it tough for the broader Academy to get behind. And while 13 nominations are huge, ‘Sinners’ 16 sets a new bar.

The dark horses that could change the game

Even though ‘Sinners’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ are hogging the spotlight, a few other films could shake things up. Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’ has several nominations and a performance that people keep talking about—watch for it in Best Actress or Cinematography. ‘Marty Supreme’ and ‘Frankenstein’ also show up in important categories and could sneak away with acting or craft awards. And don’t forget ‘Sentimental Value’, an international film that’s picking up lots of attention, thanks to another strong team-up between Joachim Trier and Renate Reinsve.

Right now, it’s a tight race. ‘Sinners’ has the numbers and broad support in the Academy. ‘One Battle After Another’ brings the prestige and classic Oscar feel. But if the vote splits, a dark horse like ‘Hamnet’, ‘Sentimental Value’, or even ‘Frankenstein’ could slide in and steal a few big prizes. It’s anyone’s game—no matter what, this Oscar night won’t be boring.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”