'Sinners' earns 16 Oscar nominations breaking previous records
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 22, 2026, 22:18 IST
Ryan Coogler’s film 'Sinners' has made Academy Awards history by earning 16 nominations, the most ever received by a single motion picture. The milestone surpasses records held for decades by 'All About Eve', 'Titanic', and 'La La Land', signaling a landmark moment for both the filmmaker and contemporary Hollywood.
TL;DR
Ahead of its time, Sinners drew 16 Oscar nods, topping earlier benchmarks while opening doors unseen by Ryan Coogler or Michael B. Jordan before. With such recognition came quiet shifts behind the scenes.
Early Tuesday, Los Angeles saw a milestone as Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners' secured 16 nods from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This number moves beyond every earlier high mark set by one motion picture at the Oscars. Before this, a trio of movies, 'All About Eve' from 1950, 'Titanic' released in 1997, and 'La La Land' in 2016, held equal claim to the summit with 14 each. Their joint standing remained untouched across many seasons. That point has now shifted.
Recognition came through early announcements released publicly without ceremony. Each nomination reflects evaluation across distinct categories. The achievement emerges not from spectacle but cumulative industry assessment. Though based in California, its reach extends beyond regional boundaries. Numbers alone mark this moment as statistically unique. Reaction followed swiftly, though measured. Historical context frames what the tally represents. Comparisons arise naturally when records shift. Yet attention stays fixed on the data presented. A rare alignment of critical reception appears evident. Such volume of acknowledgment does occur, though infrequently. For now, the position is unmatched.
Included among the nominees are top-tier classifications, best picture, direction, and an original script nod destined for Coogler. Recognition extends toward performers: Michael B. Jordan surfaces in the principal male role division, while Delroy Lindo appears in a secondary but vital part, alongside Wunmi Mosaku within the corresponding female bracket. What emerges from these choices, per the Academy's observation, is widespread approval manifesting throughout artistic divisions as well as those focused on execution details.
Success arrived after an uncommon stretch on screens during the first months of the year. When it opened in April, Sinners claimed top position among original films in U.S. earnings over the last decade and a half, figures from Comscore show. Observers within the field pointed out such results emerged even though doubts had surrounded its potential income, given how rare standalone stories are amid franchise-heavy competition.
Sinners brought Coogler his initial Oscar nods, one for direction, another for script, following earlier projects like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther. It is now official: only six Black directors have been recognized before him in the best director category by the Academy. According to film scholar Leonard Martin, speaking with The Associated Press, such acknowledgment signals a shift, subtle yet meaningful, in how narratives from varied backgrounds are valued within elite cinematic circles. Recognition at this scale does not happen often; when it does, attention follows
A first Oscar mention arrives late in Michael B. Jordan’s path, though years have passed since he began. Notably, this recognition follows work in which one actor embodies two siblings in Sinners, a challenge met with measured acclaim. Reviews highlighted subtle shifts between characters, noting control as much as depth. During a conversation published by Variety months ago, guidance from director Coogler shaped how far the performance extended. Instead of familiar patterns, trust in collaboration opened different results.
Notably, honors extended to recently added classifications, among them, top casting. Recognition came by way of a nod for Francine Maisler, whose careful selection shaped the group on screen. One figure emerging clearly: Miles Caton, previously unseen, now prominent. A new addition this season, the distinction reflects shifting views within the industry. Influence once overlooked now holds measurable weight.
Beneath the surface, nods arrived for attire creation, musical composition, alongside visual world-building. Recognition returned to Ruth E. Carter and Ludwig Göransson, each honored before through Black Panther, at the hands of the Academy's published shortlist.
Though experts note nominations carry no promise of victory, Sinners leads in multiple fields, especially for original screenplay. With ballots still being counted toward the event, consensus forms around one fact: this film belongs among Oscar legends.
Ahead of its time, Sinners drew 16 Oscar nods, topping earlier benchmarks while opening doors unseen by Ryan Coogler or Michael B. Jordan before. With such recognition came quiet shifts behind the scenes.
Early Tuesday, Los Angeles saw a milestone as Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners' secured 16 nods from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This number moves beyond every earlier high mark set by one motion picture at the Oscars. Before this, a trio of movies, 'All About Eve' from 1950, 'Titanic' released in 1997, and 'La La Land' in 2016, held equal claim to the summit with 14 each. Their joint standing remained untouched across many seasons. That point has now shifted.
Recognition came through early announcements released publicly without ceremony. Each nomination reflects evaluation across distinct categories. The achievement emerges not from spectacle but cumulative industry assessment. Though based in California, its reach extends beyond regional boundaries. Numbers alone mark this moment as statistically unique. Reaction followed swiftly, though measured. Historical context frames what the tally represents. Comparisons arise naturally when records shift. Yet attention stays fixed on the data presented. A rare alignment of critical reception appears evident. Such volume of acknowledgment does occur, though infrequently. For now, the position is unmatched.
Included among the nominees are top-tier classifications, best picture, direction, and an original script nod destined for Coogler. Recognition extends toward performers: Michael B. Jordan surfaces in the principal male role division, while Delroy Lindo appears in a secondary but vital part, alongside Wunmi Mosaku within the corresponding female bracket. What emerges from these choices, per the Academy's observation, is widespread approval manifesting throughout artistic divisions as well as those focused on execution details.
Success arrived after an uncommon stretch on screens during the first months of the year. When it opened in April, Sinners claimed top position among original films in U.S. earnings over the last decade and a half, figures from Comscore show. Observers within the field pointed out such results emerged even though doubts had surrounded its potential income, given how rare standalone stories are amid franchise-heavy competition.
Sinners brought Coogler his initial Oscar nods, one for direction, another for script, following earlier projects like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther. It is now official: only six Black directors have been recognized before him in the best director category by the Academy. According to film scholar Leonard Martin, speaking with The Associated Press, such acknowledgment signals a shift, subtle yet meaningful, in how narratives from varied backgrounds are valued within elite cinematic circles. Recognition at this scale does not happen often; when it does, attention follows
A first Oscar mention arrives late in Michael B. Jordan’s path, though years have passed since he began. Notably, this recognition follows work in which one actor embodies two siblings in Sinners, a challenge met with measured acclaim. Reviews highlighted subtle shifts between characters, noting control as much as depth. During a conversation published by Variety months ago, guidance from director Coogler shaped how far the performance extended. Instead of familiar patterns, trust in collaboration opened different results.
Notably, honors extended to recently added classifications, among them, top casting. Recognition came by way of a nod for Francine Maisler, whose careful selection shaped the group on screen. One figure emerging clearly: Miles Caton, previously unseen, now prominent. A new addition this season, the distinction reflects shifting views within the industry. Influence once overlooked now holds measurable weight.
Beneath the surface, nods arrived for attire creation, musical composition, alongside visual world-building. Recognition returned to Ruth E. Carter and Ludwig Göransson, each honored before through Black Panther, at the hands of the Academy's published shortlist.
Though experts note nominations carry no promise of victory, Sinners leads in multiple fields, especially for original screenplay. With ballots still being counted toward the event, consensus forms around one fact: this film belongs among Oscar legends.