BAFTA Awards Longlists: ‘One Battle After Another’ Leads With Record 16 Nods, ‘Hamnet’ and ‘Sinners’ Follow With 14 Each

The highly anticipated 2026 BAFTA Film Awards season has officially kicked off, and the early frontrunner has made an undeniable statement. Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically acclaimed epic, “One Battle After Another,” has not only solidified its long-touted position as a formidable contender but has emphatically dominated the initial longlist nominations, emerging from the first round of voting with an astounding 16 nods across 25 categories. This commanding performance sets a thrilling tone for what promises to be an intensely competitive awards race, firmly placing Anderson’s latest masterpiece at the forefront of the industry’s most prestigious accolades.

“One Battle After Another,” described as a scathing, increasingly topical political satire, delves deep into the tumultuous landscape of U.S. extremism and polarization. Anderson, known for his intricate narratives and profound character studies, appears to have struck a resonant chord with BAFTA voters, who recognized the film’s powerful commentary and masterful execution. Its timely themes, perhaps more relevant than ever, undoubtedly contributed to its widespread appeal among the voting body. The film’s robust showing across an impressive array of categories, from technical achievements to the coveted performance lists, underscores its comprehensive critical success and positions it as the film to beat.

A significant portion of “One Battle After Another’s” triumph lies in its exceptional ensemble cast, which swept the performance categories. Rising star Chase Infiniti, whose nuanced portrayal has garnered significant buzz, found a coveted spot on the longlist. She is joined by cinematic titans Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, whose storied careers continue to deliver compelling performances, alongside the versatile Benicio Del Toro. Perhaps one of the most exciting inclusions is Teyana Taylor, whose burgeoning acting career has been met with widespread critical acclaim, signaling a potential breakthrough moment for the artist. Their collective recognition paints a vivid picture of a film where every performance contributes to its powerful narrative, a testament to Anderson’s renowned ability to draw out the very best from his actors.

While “One Battle After Another” established a clear lead, a formidable pack of films is hot on its heels, ensuring the race remains far from decided. Chloe Zhao’s “Hamnet” and Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” each garnered an impressive 14 longlist slots. Zhao, an Oscar and BAFTA winner for her poignant drama “Nomadland,” brings her signature poetic realism to “Hamnet,” a historical drama that explores themes of love, loss, and artistic inspiration. Her unique directorial voice, often characterized by its profound empathy and stunning visual landscapes, clearly resonated with voters, suggesting another potential triumph for the acclaimed filmmaker. Coogler, celebrated for his work on the “Black Panther” franchise and the “Creed” films, offers “Sinners,” a project that promises his distinctive blend of compelling storytelling and social commentary. His ability to craft narratives that are both commercially successful and critically lauded makes “Sinners” a significant force in this year’s competition, with its strong showing indicating a film of substantial depth and impact.

Close behind this leading duo is Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme,” which secured 13 nods. Safdie, known for his electrifying and often anxiety-inducing thrillers like “Uncut Gems,” brings his distinctive raw energy and unflinching realism to this latest offering. Voters appear to have been captivated by his unique storytelling approach, which often places viewers uncomfortably close to the characters’ intense experiences. The film’s strong showing across multiple categories suggests it is more than just a stylistic exercise, delving into substantive themes that have deeply connected with the voting body. Following with 12 longlist mentions each are Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein.” Lanthimos, a master of the absurd and the darkly comedic, known for his distinctive cinematic language in films like “Poor Things” and “The Favourite,” continues to push boundaries with “Bugonia.” The film’s significant recognition, particularly in performance and technical categories, suggests his unique vision remains a powerful draw. Del Toro, whose fantastical and often haunting storytelling has earned him global acclaim with films like “The Shape of Water,” re-imagines a classic tale with “Frankenstein.” His iteration is expected to be a visually stunning and emotionally rich interpretation, a quality that BAFTA voters have historically embraced, evident in its strong longlist presence.

Further down the list, “Sentimental Value” and the much-anticipated sequel “Wicked: For Good” each earned eight longlist spaces. While a respectable number, this marks a slight dip for the “Wicked” franchise, with the first installment having secured ten nods last year. Notably, director Jon M. Chu once again missed out on a directorial longlist spot, a surprising omission given the scale and ambition of the musical. However, Cynthia Erivo, who delivers a powerhouse performance in the film, bravely made it into the Leading Actress category, overcoming recent snubs at the SAG and Critics Choice Awards. Her resilience and the voters’ recognition of her talent highlight the powerful impact of her portrayal, keeping the film’s awards hopes alive, particularly for its vibrant performances and dazzling production elements. The inclusion of Ariana Grande in the Supporting Actress longlist for “Wicked: For Good” further underscores the musical’s strong acting showings, demonstrating that while the directorial vision might not have captivated voters, the performances certainly did. This suggests a film that excels in bringing its characters to life with memorable and impactful portrayals.

Beyond the major studio contenders, British cinema also received significant recognition, a crucial aspect of the BAFTA awards, which champion local talent. “I Swear” and “Pillion” each secured six longlist mentions, signaling strong support for homegrown narratives. These films, representing the vibrant and diverse landscape of British filmmaking, have clearly resonated with voters for their compelling stories and authentic performances. “The Ballad of Wallis Island” also made a strong showing with five nods, including key performance categories. The recognition of these films on such prominent lists is a testament to the thriving creative scene within the UK, offering unique perspectives and showcasing burgeoning talent.

The acting prowess within these British productions was particularly celebrated. Robert Aramayo and Peter Mullan from “I Swear” both advanced to the next round, highlighting their powerful contributions to the film. Similarly, Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård from “Pillion” received well-deserved recognition, showcasing their captivating performances. Meanwhile, the esteemed Carey Mulligan from “The Ballad of Wallis Island” also secured her place, reinforcing her status as one of the UK’s most versatile and acclaimed actresses. These inclusions not only celebrate individual achievements but also bring much-needed attention to the depth of talent within British cinema, ensuring these films remain firmly in the awards conversation. Both “Wallis Island” and “I Swear” also managed to garner enough support to land on the highly coveted 10-strong Best Film longlist, a significant achievement that places them among the global elite. They are joined by “Nuremberg,” which earned six longlist slots overall, further diversifying the top category and showcasing the international scope of the BAFTA selections.

As with any awards longlist, there were a handful of surprising snubs that have already sparked considerable industry debate. Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning “It Was Just an Accident” notably managed only two longlist mentions, beyond the expected Original Screenplay and Film Not in the English Language categories. This limited recognition for a film that achieved such high international acclaim, particularly at Cannes, raises questions about its accessibility or resonance with the broader BAFTA voting body. Often, films that excel at festivals sometimes struggle to translate that success into widespread industry awards, a narrative that seems to be unfolding here for Panahi’s powerful work. Similarly, “The Secret Agent” landed in the same two categories but notably missed a longlist spot for its lead star, Wagner Moura, who many had tipped as a strong Oscars potential. This omission from BAFTA could significantly impact his overall awards season momentum, indicating that perhaps the performance, while strong, didn’t quite capture the collective imagination of the British academy. Furthermore, despite its growing buzz, “Siråt” only managed two longlist nods, for Casting and Film Not in the English Language. Many had expected it to be a strong contender for Sound, given its reported immersive sound design, making its absence from that category a particular point of discussion and disappointment.

Several other major films, tipped early in the season for awards glory, also found themselves with unexpectedly sparse longlist representation. “The Smashing Machine,” a film that had generated considerable anticipation, found a place solely on the Make-Up and Hair list. This singular nod suggests that while the technical artistry of the film’s transformation work was recognized, its broader cinematic impact may have fallen short of expectations among voters. “Jay Kelly” managed a single nod for Adam Sandler in a supporting role, a testament to his performance but indicating the film itself didn’t resonate widely. “Hedda” similarly secured just one mention, for Tessa Thompson in the Leading Actress category, highlighting her individual brilliance but signaling a lack of broader appeal for the film as a whole. These instances demonstrate the fierce competition within the BAFTA longlist stage, where even films with strong individual elements can struggle to gain traction across multiple categories.

The disappointments extended to local British titles as well. “Urchin,” the directorial debut of Harris Dickinson, and Akinola Davies Jr.’s “My Father’s Shadow,” despite receiving acclaim and multiple award nominations on home soil, each earned only one longlist space. Even more surprisingly, “My Father’s Shadow” was conspicuously absent from the prestigious Outstanding British Film longlist, a significant snub for a film many expected to be a strong contender in that category. This highlights the incredibly competitive nature of the British film landscape and the difficult choices BAFTA voters must make, sometimes leaving highly regarded local productions with less recognition than anticipated. These snubs serve as a stark reminder that early buzz and critical acclaim, while important, do not always guarantee a smooth path through the rigorous awards season.

As ever, the landscape of the awards race is dynamic, and all may change dramatically when the full list of nominations is announced on January 27. These longlists are merely the first filter, and the next round of voting will narrow down the contenders to the final nominees in each category. The only exception is the highly anticipated Rising Star award nominees, which will be unveiled slightly earlier, on January 14, providing an early glimpse into the fresh talent captivating the industry. The journey culminates with the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony itself, scheduled for February 22. This grand event will take place at London’s iconic Royal Festival Hall, promising a night of glamour, celebration, and unexpected victories. Adding a fresh spark to the proceedings, beloved Scottish actor and entertainer Alan Cumming will take on hosting duties for the first time, bringing his unique blend of wit, charm, and theatrical flair to one of the most prestigious nights in global cinema.

The longlists for all 25 categories are presented below, offering a comprehensive look at the films and talent currently vying for BAFTA glory:

BEST FILM

“The Ballad of Wallis Island”

“Bugonia”

“Frankenstein”

“Hamnet”

“I Swear”

“Marty Supreme”

“Nuremberg”

“One Battle After Another”

“Sentimental Value”

“Sinners”

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM

“28 Years Later”

“Ballad of a Small Player”

“The Ballad of Wallis Island”

“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”

“The Choral”

“Die My Love”

“Goodbye June”

“H Is for Hawk”

“Hamnet”

“I Swear”

“Mr. Burton”

“Pillion”

“The Roses”

“Steve”

“Warfare”

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER

“The Ceremony”

“The Man in My Basement”

“Mother Vera”

“My Father’s Shadow”

“Pillion”

“Ocean With David Attenborough”

“The Shadow Scholars”

“Urchin”

“A Want in Her”

“Wasteman”

CHILDREN’S & FAMILY FILM

“Arco”

“Boong”

“Elio”

“Grow”

“How to Train Your Dragon”

“Lilo & Stitch”

“Little Amelie”

“Zootropolis 2”

FILM NOT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE

“It Was Just an Accident”

“La Grazia”

“Left-Handed Girl”

“No Other Choice”

“Nouvelle Vague”

“Rental Family”

“The Secret Agent”

“Sentimental Value”

“Siråt”

“The Voice of Hind Rajab”

DOCUMENTARY

“2000 Meters to Andriivka”

“Apocalypse in the Tropics”

“Becoming Led Zeppelin”

“Cover-Up”

“The Librarians”

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin”

“Ocean With David Attenborough”

“One to One: John & Yoko”

“The Perfect Neighbor”

“Riefenstahl”

ANIMATED FILM

“Arco”

“The Bad Guys 2”

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle”

“Elio”

“Little Amelie”

“Zootropolis 2”

DIRECTOR

“Bugonia,” Yorgos Lanthimos

“Die My Love,” Lynne Ramsay

“Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao

“A House of Dynamite,” Kathryn Bigelow

“Marty Supreme,” Josh Safdie

“One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson

“Rental Family,” Hikari

“Sentimental Value,” Joachim Trier

“Sinners,” Ryan Coogler

“The Voice of Hind Rajab,” Kaouther Ben Hania

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

“Blue Moon”

“A House of Dynamite”

“I Swear”

“Is This Thing On?”

“It Was Just an Accident”

“Marty Supreme”

“The Secret Agent”

“Sentimental Value”

“Sinners”

“Weapons”

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

“28 Years Later”

“The Ballad of Wallis Island”

“Bugonia”

“Frankenstein”

“Hamnet”

“Nuremberg”

“One Battle After Another”

“Pillion”

“Train Dreams”

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”

LEADING ACTRESS

Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”

Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”

Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked: For Good”

Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue”

Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another”

Jennifer Lawrence, “Die My Love”

Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”

Andrea Riseborough, “Dragonfly”

Emma Stone, “Bugonia”

Tessa Thompson, “Hedda”

LEADING ACTOR

Robert Aramayo, “I Swear”

Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”

Russell Crowe, “Nuremberg”

Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”

Joel Edgerton, “Train Dreams”

Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon”

Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”

Harry Melling, “Pillion”

Cillian Murphy, “Steve”

Jesse Plemons, “Bugonia”

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Odessa A’zion, “Marty Supreme”

Brenda Blethyn, “Dragonfly”

Ariana Grande, “Wicked: For Good”

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value”

Amy Madigan, “Weapons”

Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners”

Carey Mulligan, “The Ballad of Wallis Island”

Gwyneth Paltrow, “Marty Supreme”

Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”

Emily Watson, “Hamnet”

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Benicio Del Toro, “One Battle After Another”

Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”

Delroy Lindo, “Sinners”

Paul Mescal, “Hamnet”

Peter Mullan, “I Swear”

Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”

Adam Sandler, “Jay Kelly”

Andrew Scott, “Blue Moon”

Alexander Skarsgård, “Pillion”

Stellan Skarsgård, “Sentimental Value”

CASTING

“Frankenstein”

“Hamnet”

“A House of Dynamite”

“I Swear”

“Marty Supreme”

“One Battle After Another”

“Pillion”

“Sentimental Value”

“Sinners”

“Siråt”

CINEMATOGRAPHY

“Ballad of a Small Player”

“Bugonia”

“Die My Love”

“F1”

“Frankenstein”

“Hamnet”

“Marty Supreme”

“One Battle After Another”

“Sinners”

“Train Dreams”

COSTUME DESIGN

“Bugonia”

“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale”

“Frankenstein”

“Hamnet”

“Marty Supreme”

“Nouvelle Vague”

“Nuremberg”

“One Battle After Another”

“Sinners”

“Wicked: For Good”

EDITING

“28 Years Later”

“Bugonia”