The 2026 Oscar nominations revealed a haul of fresh faces, including Elle Fanning, Michael B. Jordan, Jacob Elordi, and Teyana Taylor among the 11 first-time acting nominees. Michael B. Jordan earned his inaugural nomination for his lead role in Ryan Coogler’s historic film Sinners, which set a new record with 16 total nominations, drawing significant attention across major categories.
Sinners Sets a New Standard with Record Oscar Nominations
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners dominated the Oscar announcements, securing 16 nominations—an unprecedented tally in Academy history. Michael B. Jordan received his first lead actor nod for his performance in the film, which also earned nominations for directing and original screenplay among others. Reacting to the overwhelming recognition, Jordan shared with The Hollywood Reporter,
“It’s something that’s really hard to put into words right now.”
Michael B. Jordan, Actor
Supporting performances in Sinners also garnered first nominations for Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo in the best supporting actress and actor categories, respectively. Mosaku recalled the surprising moment of learning about her nomination:
“I got the East Coast time, so I was asleep. My husband came in. I was like, ‘What is going on? Why are you on the phone at 5:30 in the morning?’ He’s like, ‘You’ve been nominated for an Oscar!’”
Wunmi Mosaku, Actress
Strong Debuts Mark the Supporting Actor and Actress Categories
Jacob Elordi marked his first Oscar nomination with a supporting actor nod for his role in Frankenstein, a film that secured the third highest number of nominations at the ceremony. Elordi expressed his excitement to The Hollywood Reporter, saying he was “beside myself” and “so excited.”
Elordi will compete against fellow debut nominees Delroy Lindo and Stellan Skarsgård, who earned his nomination for portraying Gustav Borg in Sentimental Value. The latter movie matched Frankenstein with nine nominations and included first-time nominations for co-stars Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas. Alongside Mosaku and Teyana Taylor, these actresses form a strong group of first-time nominees fighting for the best supporting actress Oscar.
Notable First-Time Nominations for Lead Acting Roles
The lead acting categories spotlighted two fresh nominees receiving their first Oscar nods. Alongside Michael B. Jordan, Wagner Moura earned acclaim for his role in The Secret Agent, which also secured a best picture nomination. Moura’s Oscar recognition follows his recent Golden Globe win for best drama actor.
Elle Fanning, who stars in Sentimental Value, joins Rose Byrne and Renate Reinsve as newcomers in the best lead actress category. Byrne, fresh from winning the Golden Globe for best actress in a musical or comedy, regarded the Oscar nomination as a significant milestone, stating,
“definitely feels like a monumental moment to have this acknowledgement.”
Rose Byrne, Actress
Teyana Taylor and Other Rising Stars Amplify the Newcomer Presence
Teyana Taylor, celebrated for her role as Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, received her first Oscar nomination following a Golden Globe win. The film itself secured 13 nominations, ranking as the second most-nominated title this year.
These debut nominations reflect a burgeoning talent pool shaking up the Academy Awards landscape, with multiple actors and actresses asserting their presence among seasoned veterans.
Upcoming Oscar Ceremony and Anticipation
The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, are scheduled to broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15. The event will be available on ABC and via streaming on Hulu, beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. This year’s ceremony is anticipated to highlight a dynamic blend of experienced artists and remarkable newcomers like Elle Fanning and Michael B. Jordan, whose first nods signal promising career milestones.
