By Trendsetter Tribune 
Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller Sinners has made Academy Awards history, becoming the first film ever to receive 16 Oscar nominations. The achievement places the movie above long-standing records held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land, each of which earned 14 nominations in their respective years.
Starring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers, Sinners is set in 1930s Mississippi and follows the siblings as they open a blues club while confronting racial violence and supernatural threats. The film has also been a commercial success, earning an estimated $368 million at the global box office.
Among its nominations are best picture, best director for Coogler, best actor for Jordan, best supporting actor for British actor Delroy Lindo, and best supporting actress for British-Nigerian actor Wunmi Mosaku. The film is also nominated for the Academy’s newly introduced casting award.
Despite its record-breaking nominations, industry observers expect Sinners to win fewer awards than some past nominees with similar recognition. Earlier record holders converted their nominations into multiple wins, while competition this year remains strong.
One of Sinners’ closest rivals is One Battle After Another, a countercultural comedy that secured 13 nominations. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film is considered a major contender for best picture and best director. Anderson, who has received numerous Oscar nominations without a win, is widely tipped to finally take home top honors. Supporting actress Teyana Taylor is also seen as a favorite in her category.
Other notable nominees include Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, which earned eight nominations. Jessie Buckley is currently the frontrunner for best actress, while Paul Mescal received a supporting actor nod. Zhao, who previously won best director for Nomadland, is the only woman nominated for directing this year.
Timothée Chalamet is the favorite for best actor for his performance in Marty Supreme, a film that received nine nominations. If he wins, Chalamet would become one of the youngest actors ever to receive the award.
The nominations also highlighted the Academy’s growing international focus. Films such as Sentimental Value, The Secret Agent, and It Was Just an Accident earned multiple nominations. Brazilian actor Wagner Moura made history as the first Brazilian nominee for best actor, while several foreign-language performances set a new record for acting nominations.
Some high-profile films and stars were notably absent from this year’s list. Wicked for Good received no nominations, while actors including Dwayne Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, George Clooney, and Cynthia Erivo were also left out.
This year’s nominations mark a strong showing for Warner Bros, which released both Sinners and One Battle After Another. The studio is currently under industry attention amid reports of a potential takeover.
Final Oscar voting begins on February 26, under new rules requiring voters to confirm they have watched all nominated films in a category. The 96th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15, hosted by Conan O’Brien.