Oscars 2026: Final Voting Opens in Historic Race

Two Films, One Prize

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opened final voting for the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday, February 26, launching the last stretch of one of the most competitive Oscar races in years. Members have until March 5 to cast their ballots before the ceremony on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Conan O'Brien for the second consecutive year and broadcast live on ABC and Hulu.

Anderson's Sweep Puts 'One Battle' in Front

The previous Sunday's BAFTA Awards served as the final major precursor before voting opened, and the results sharpened the race considerably. Paul Thomas Anderson's dark comedy One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, dominated the British ceremony with six wins — Best Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Cinematography, and Editing.

The haul confirmed what guild awards had been signaling for weeks: Anderson is the favorite heading into the final vote. Accepting his directing prize, Anderson quoted Nina Simone, whose words appear in the film:

"I know what freedom is: It's no fear."

One Battle After Another enters the final ballot with 13 Oscar nominations, trailing only its chief rival in the nomination count.

'Sinners' Breaks Records and Makes History

Ryan Coogler's supernatural thriller Sinners arrives at the final vote with a compelling counter-narrative. The film shattered the all-time Academy nominations record with 16 nominations — surpassing the previous benchmark of 14 — and carries momentum from three BAFTA wins of its own: Best Original Screenplay (Coogler), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), and Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson).

Coogler's screenplay win was historic on its own terms: he became the first Black winner ever of the BAFTA Original Screenplay award. Sinners had also set the record as the most-nominated film by a Black director in BAFTA history, drawing 13 nominations.

Should Coogler claim Best Director at the Oscars, he would become the first Black filmmaker ever to win the prize — a distinction that gives his candidacy a significance extending well beyond Hollywood ceremony.

Several Categories Remain Open

Despite Anderson's precursor lead, the outcome is not a foregone conclusion. Best Picture is voted on by the Academy's full membership using a preferential ballot, a system that can diverge sharply from BAFTA results. Sinners' record nomination total reflects unusually broad support across branches — a strong indicator of popularity among the wider voting body.

The acting categories are similarly competitive. Michael B. Jordan is nominated for Best Actor, while Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo both contend in supporting categories for Sinners. Best Director is widely expected to track with Best Picture, giving Anderson the edge — but the Academy has surprised before.

The Final Days

With voting open through March 5, campaigns are making their final push. The 98th Oscars ceremony on March 15 will be watched in more than 200 territories worldwide. Whether the night belongs to Anderson's six-BAFTA juggernaut or to Coogler's record-breaking, history-laden vision, Hollywood is bracing for an evening that could rewrite the record books either way.