Sinners and One Battle After Another Poised for All-Warner Bros. Showdown at Oscars

Nail-biter Academy Awards ceremony expected to crown either Paul Thomas Anderson or Ryan Coogler with their first Oscar wins.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:06am

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The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony is shaping up to be a showdown between two Warner Bros. films - Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" and Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." Both directors are poised to win their first Oscars, with "Sinners" leading the pack with a record 16 nominations. The telecast will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu, with increased security measures in place following recent geopolitical tensions. While the best actor race is too close to call between Michael B. Jordan and Timothée Chalamet, Jessie Buckley is widely expected to win best actress for her performance in "Hamnet." The supporting categories are highly competitive, with Amy Madigan, Teyana Taylor, and Wunmi Mosaku all in the mix for best supporting actress, and Sean Penn, Stellan Skarsgård, and Delroy Lindo vying for best supporting actor.

Why it matters

The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony is a significant event in the entertainment industry, with the potential coronation of either Paul Thomas Anderson or Ryan Coogler as first-time Oscar winners. The all-Warner Bros. showdown between "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" also reflects the ongoing consolidation and shifting power dynamics in Hollywood, as the legacy studio prepares to merge with Paramount Skydance. Additionally, the increased security measures and the presence of politically charged films like "The Secret Agent" and "It Was Just an Accident" highlight the awards show's ability to reflect and respond to current events and geopolitical tensions.

The details

The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 16th, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The telecast will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu, with the official red carpet preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Conan O'Brien is returning as host for the second year in a row, and the ceremony will feature performances of two of the five best song nominees. While "KPop Demon Hunters" was the most-watched movie of 2025, it is unlikely to win best picture, as the award is expected to go to either "Sinners" or "One Battle After Another" - both of which were theatrical releases shot on film. The ceremony will also introduce a new best casting category, and a requirement for Academy members to watch all nominees before voting.

  • The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 16th.
  • The official red carpet preshow will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.
  • The telecast will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern.

The players

Paul Thomas Anderson

The director of "One Battle After Another," which is the favorite heading into the ceremony.

Ryan Coogler

The director of "Sinners," which comes in the lead nominee with a record 16 nominations.

Michael B. Jordan

An actor who could win his first Academy Award in the too-close-to-call best actor race.

Timothée Chalamet

An actor who could also win his first Academy Award in the too-close-to-call best actor race.

Jessie Buckley

An actress who is widely expected to win best actress for her performance in "Hamnet."

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What they’re saying

“Let's have fun with it, is my attitude.”

— Conan O'Brien, Host

“Of course, every year we monitor what's going on in the world. We have the support of the FBI and the LAPD, and it's a close collaboration.”

— Raj Kapoor, Executive Producer of the Oscars

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This year's Oscars ceremony is poised to be a nail-biter, with an all-Warner Bros. showdown between "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" and highly competitive races in the acting categories. The increased security measures and the presence of politically charged films reflect the awards show's ability to respond to current events, while the new best casting category and voting requirements aim to address industry concerns.