The unveiling of the 2026 Academy Award nominations has sent a wave of electric energy through Hollywood, marking a year defined by historic firsts, the long-overdue recognition of seasoned veterans, and the overwhelming dominance of a single, genre-defying masterpiece. As the industry prepares for the 98th annual ceremony on March 15, the narrative of this awards season is being written not just through the tallies of nominations, but through the deeply personal stories of the artists who received the life-changing news this week. From the quiet, early-morning phone calls between parents and children to the jubilant screams echoing across international borders, the reactions from this year’s nominees paint a portrait of an industry in the midst of a profound creative evolution.
At the heart of this year’s most touching story is Delroy Lindo, the 73-year-old titan of the screen whose nomination for Best Supporting Actor feels to many like a moment of restorative justice. Lindo, who has spent decades delivering masterclasses in acting—most notably in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X and Da 5 Bloods—finally earned his first Oscar nod for his haunting portrayal of Delta Slim, a blues musician in Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror epic, Sinners. For Lindo, the prestige of the Academy was secondary to the person who delivered the news. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Lindo recounted how he was still in bed when his phone rang. It was his son, Damiri, currently working in Europe, who had stayed up to watch the announcement.
The exchange was brief but loaded with the weight of a lifelong career. "Dad, dad, you got it. You got that s–t," Damiri told him. For Lindo, having his son be the first to break the news was a full-circle moment that transcended the industry’s glitz. He reflected on how Damiri and his wife, Nashormeh N.R. Lindo, have been the silent witnesses to the grueling reality of an actor’s life—the moments far away from the flashing lights of the red carpet. To Lindo, their "internal and external perspective" on his journey made the nomination feel "completely right on." This recognition follows his deep collaboration with Ryan Coogler, with whom he worked to flesh out the character of Delta Slim, ensuring the role captured the lived reality of the Jim Crow South and transforming the character into a more present, vital force in the film’s narrative.
Lindo’s individual success is part of a much larger tidal wave for Sinners. The film has officially etched its name into the annals of cinematic history by securing a staggering 16 nominations, the highest number ever received by a single film. This record-breaking haul is a testament to Coogler’s visionary direction and the film’s ability to touch "the depth of humanity" through the lens of horror. The film also served as a launchpad for other first-time nominees, including Michael B. Jordan, who earned a Best Actor nod for his dual performance as twins Smoke and Stack, and Wunmi Mosaku, who is competing for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the healer Annie. Mosaku expressed a profound sense of gratitude, noting that the film was crafted with "care, courage, and love," and described the recognition of the entire production as deeply moving.
The race for the 2026 Oscars is also notable for its international breadth and the resurgence of global cinema. Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, emerged as a powerhouse, securing nine nominations and making history for Norwegian cinema. Lead actress Renate Reinsve, who is nominated for her second Oscar, shared the news from her home in Norway, describing the experience as "surreal." She was joined in the winner’s circle by her co-stars Stellan Skarsgård and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, both of whom earned supporting nods. For Skarsgård, a veteran of the industry, this marks his first-ever Oscar nomination. He remarked on the "traveling circus" of the awards season and expressed a humble joy that a "small film made with great care" could compete on such a massive scale without the benefit of a traditional blockbuster marketing budget. Lilleaas was equally stunned, describing the day as historic for her country and thanking her husband and son for their unwavering support during the production.
In the Best Leading Actor category, the competition is fierce and filled with heavyweights. Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project. He credited Anderson’s "vision, dedication, and belief" for bringing a complex, modern story to life. DiCaprio’s co-stars were also recognized, including Benicio Del Toro, who described the news as "the best breakfast an actor can get." Del Toro, who plays the character Sensei, shared his excitement for being nominated alongside his friend and co-star Sean Penn. He characterized the role as a gift and a "pure joy" to bring to life.
The category for Best Leading Actress is equally stacked with formidable talent. Emma Stone received another nomination for her work in Bugonia, reuniting her with director Yorgos Lanthimos. Stone was quick to share the honor with her co-star Jesse Plemons and her longtime creative partner Lanthimos, stating that her career’s current trajectory would not exist without their friendship. Meanwhile, Rose Byrne’s reaction to her nomination for the "radical" and "punk rock" film Linda was perhaps the most visceral. Byrne admitted to screaming in disbelief when the news broke, calling the role of Linda the "gift of a lifetime" and expressing her humility at being included among a group of women she deeply admires, including Stone, Reinsve, Kate Hudson, and Jessie Buckley.
Kate Hudson, nominated for Song Sung Blue, described the moment as one of the great honors of her life, while Jessie Buckley found herself recognized for her heart-wrenching performance in Hamnet. Buckley’s nomination was particularly special as she shared it with her director Chloe Zhao and her co-star Paul Mescal, noting that there is "no Agnes without you" in reference to Mescal’s performance. The literary roots of Hamnet were also celebrated, with author Maggie O’Farrell expressing her shock that her novel’s adaptation had reached such heights. O’Farrell admitted she was "pinching herself" at the "astonishing and joyous" news that her story had resonated so deeply with the Academy.
The supporting categories provided some of the day’s most emotional highlights. Teyana Taylor, recognized for her role in One Battle After Another, spoke candidly about the struggles she has faced in her career. For Taylor, the nomination felt like a "soft, beautiful ‘yes’ from the universe" after a journey filled with "battles, doubts, and uncertainty." Her poignant statement—that "the wait was not punishment, it was preparation"—resonated widely as a message of resilience. Similarly, Elle Fanning’s reaction to her first nomination for Sentimental Value was one of pure shock and familial joy. She recounted how her mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt were all present to "scream and hug and cry" with her as the news was announced.
Veteran actress Amy Madigan also provided a touch of nostalgia and grace to the proceedings. Nominated for her role as Aunt Gladys in the horror film Weapons, Madigan noted the rarity of receiving a second nomination forty years after her first for Twice in a Lifetime. She expressed a humble gratitude for the audience’s love for her character, proving that great performances can emerge from any genre at any stage of a career.
As the countdown to the March 15 ceremony begins, the 2026 Oscar nominations stand as a reminder of the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between the internal world of the artist and the external world of the audience. Whether it is the record-breaking achievement of Sinners, the historic surge of Norwegian cinema, or the long-awaited recognition of icons like Delroy Lindo and Stellan Skarsgård, this year’s list of nominees reflects a Hollywood that is increasingly willing to look beyond traditional boundaries to find the "depth of humanity" in every frame. The road to the Dolby Theatre will undoubtedly be filled with more stories of gratitude and celebration, but for now, these artists are savoring a moment of profound affirmation.
