The dispute for Best Film at the 2026 Oscars In practice, it comes down to two titles. “One Battle After Another“, by Paul Thomas Anderson, and “Sinners“, by Ryan Coogler, dominated the awards season and arrive on Sunday (15) separated by a margin that analysts differ on how to interpret.
The other eight nominees — including “” — watch the battle from outside.
“One Battle After Another” accumulated the largest number of precursors in the recent history of the category: won the , , the , the PGAo DGA and the WGA.
No film that won this combination of awards reached the Oscar without taking the main statuette. With 14 nominations and a narrative about undocumented immigrants clash with US authoritiesAnderson’s film is, for most analysts, the favorite in the category.
Paul Thomas Anderson also leads the predictions for Best Director, after winning the DGA, after also winning the Bafta, the Golden Globe and the Critics Choice.
But “Sinners” doesn’t make it easy. Ryan Coogler’s vampire drama broke records by receiving 16 Oscar nominations — —, won the Actors Awards for casting and generated growing excitement with each week of the season.
It would be the first horror film to win Best Picture since “The Shape of Water“, in 2018. An eventual victory would also be historic for another reason: it would make Zinzi CooglerRyan’s wife, the first black woman to win Best Film as producer.
“The Secret Agent”, by Kleber Mendonça Filho, is present in the conversation — but in another register. At least some specialized websites, , point to it as “the film that should win”, recognizing its artistic quality above the two favorites.
In practice, however, the Brazilian film did not accumulate the necessary precursors to compete in the main category on equal terms. Its strength in the night is concentrated in and .
The ceremony takes place at the Dolby Theater, in Los Angeles, this Sunday (15), with a performance by Conan O’Brien.
CNN Brasil will provide special coverage of the 2026 Oscars
A CNN Brazil prepares special coverage of the 2026 Oscars. In addition to special articles on the website, we will hold a live broadcast from 7pm to 1am with Elisa Veeck e Mari Palma on TV and YouTube. Alongside artists and influencers, we will show everything from the red carpet to announcing the winners of the 98th edition of the award.
