Discover the film that reached the unprecedented mark of 16 nominations in 2026 and the productions that sustained the historic record for decades
The Oscar race has always been marked by impressive numbers, but the 2026 edition brought a historic milestone that redefined the top of the awards. For decades, the magic number was 14 nominationsa ceiling that seemed unbreakable and that was divided by just three masterpieces: The Wicked (1950), Titanic (1997) and La La Land: Singing Seasons (2016).
However, this scenario changed with the arrival of Sinners (Sinners), a film directed by Ryan Coogler, which won 16 nominations at the 2026 ceremony, isolating itself as the most nominated production of all time. This article details the new record holder and remembers the giants who shaped the Academy’s history.
Plot
The current record holder and past champions offer distinct narratives that have won over Academy voters.
Sinners (2026) – The new record holder (16 nominations)
Set in the Jim Crow era in the 1930s, the film is a supernatural horror that follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Returning to their hometown in the segregated South of the United States, they try to leave a troubled past behind. However, as they encounter mysterious local deaths and disappearances, the brothers discover that an ancient, bloodthirsty evil—a unique interpretation of vampires—stalks their community, forcing them to fight not just prejudice, but inhumane forces.
The 14 nominations club
- Titanic (1997): An epic love story between Jack, a poor artist, and Rose, a young aristocrat, aboard the maiden voyage of the “unsinkable” RMS Titanic. The romance blossoms just before the historical tragedy that condemns the ship to the bottom of the Atlantic.
- La La Land: Singing Seasons (2016): In Los Angeles, a purist jazz pianist and an aspiring actress fall in love while chasing success. The musical explores the tension between love and artistic ambition, culminating in bittersweet choices about the future.
- A Wicked (1950): The classic takes a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway, where veteran star Margo Channing takes in young and seemingly naive fan Eve Harrington. Little by little, Eve reveals herself to be a ruthless manipulator willing to do anything to steal her idol’s career and life.
Cast and characters
The performances were fundamental to the massive success of these productions with the Academy.
- Sinners: Michael B. Jordan delivers an impressive technical performance when playing the two protagonist twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, with distinct personalities. The supporting cast features big names like Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku (nominated for Supporting Actress), who anchor the fantastic horror in a palpable emotional reality.
- Titanic: It immortalized the duo Leonardo DiCaprio (Jack Dawson) and Kate Winslet (Rose DeWitt Bukater), whose chemistry became a reference in pop culture.
- La La Land: Emma Stone (Mia) won the Oscar for Best Actress for her vulnerable performance, opposite Ryan Gosling (Sebastian), who learned to play the piano for the role.
- To Wicked: Bring Bette Davis in the iconic role of Margo Channing, delivering famous lines, while Anne Baxter plays the sly Eve.
Curiosities
The numbers behind these nominations reveal the magnitude of his achievements in the film industry.
- The jump to 16: Until 2026, it was believed that 14 was the statistical threshold for a modern film. Sinners broke this barrier by dominating technical (Sound, Visual Effects, Photography) and main (Film, Direction, Actor) categories, driven by a massive campaign and critical acclaim of the horror genre.
- Winning record: Although Sinners has the record for nominations, the record for wins (statuettes won) still belongs to Titanic, Ben-Hur and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, all with 11 Oscars. La La Land converted 6 of its 14 nominations, and The Bad Guy took 6 statuettes.
- Various genres: The list of record holders proves that the Academy appreciates genre diversity: a supernatural horror (Sinners), a romantic disaster film (Titanic), a modern musical (La La Land) and a behind-the-scenes drama (The Wicked).
Where to watch
Check out where to find the record-breaking films on streaming platforms and cinemas in Brazil (availability for February 2026).
- Sinners (2026):
- Due to its recent success and awards season, the film is currently showing in most theaters. cinemas Brazilians.
- Streaming forecast: Will reach the catalog of Max (HBO Max) after the theatrical viewing window.
- Titanic (1997):
- Available on Disney+.
- La La Land: Singing Seasons (2016):
- Available on Prime Video e Max.
- A Wicked (1950):
- Available to rent digitally (Apple TV, Google Play) and occasionally on classics services like Belas Artes A La Carte.
The arrival of Sinners at the top of the nominations list ends a cycle of almost 30 years in which Titanic reigned supreme (later tied by La La Land). Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s achievement establishes a new benchmark of technical and narrative excellence for Hollywood, challenging future generations to surpass the 16 nominations mark.
