Emma Stone’s Oscar reaction has captured widespread attention today, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the contenders for the 98th Academy Awards nominations. The announcement, made earlier this week, recognized Stone among an impressive array of creatives honored for their work across numerous categories. This milestone marks a significant moment in Stone’s career, highlighting her continued influence and dedication to cinematic excellence.
Celebrating a Milestone in a Season of Hard-Earned Nominations
For many artists, receiving an Academy Award nomination is the culmination of years of rigorous effort, creative persistence, and relentless ambition. This year’s nomination announcements underscored such journeys, with some nominees returning after a long hiatus or climbing back up the competitive ranks with renewed vigor. Among these, Emma Stone’s nomination stood out as a moment of heartfelt gratitude and recognition within a broader celebration of artistry. The atmosphere was charged with optimism and a shared sense of accomplishment among nominees who have poured countless hours into their crafts.
Stone expressed her gratitude by directly acknowledging the collaborative nature of the film she worked on.
“Thank you to the Academy for these nominations and to everyone who poured their hearts into Bugonia. None of this exists without our director, Yorgos. I am forever grateful for our creative partnership and friendship. I share this recognition with the beyond brilliant Jesse Plemons and our remarkable cast, crew, and producers. To be in the company of all of these incredible nominees is a true honor, and I’m deeply thankful,”
she stated, reflecting humility and appreciation for all involved. —Emma Stone, Actress in a Leading Role, Bugonia
Recognition Across Diverse Films and Talents
The 2026 Academy Awards nominations shone a spotlight on an eclectic mix of films, highlighting achievements ranging from acting to technical craftsmanship. Noteworthy productions such as Marty Supreme, Frankenstein, and Hamnet amassed multiple nods alongside standout creative individuals.
Marty Supreme secured nine nominations, a testament to the dedication of its cast and crew. Timothée Chalamet, nominated for both Best Picture and Actor in a Leading Role, celebrated the hard work and collaborative energy on the film.
“Today feels like a BIG DREAM. What an exceptional honor from the Academy. Nine nominations for an original film is not something we take for granted. I’m overjoyed to be recognized as both an actor and a producer on this project, and I’m deeply moved by the acknowledgment given to the incredibly hard-working crew. Josh Safdie is truly deserving of this prestigious recognition and the film wouldn’t be the rough gem it is without Ronnie Bronstein, Odessa A’zion, Gwyneth Paltrow and the entire cast and crew’s hard work. Miyako Bellizzi gave 150% to this project and Darius Khondji and Jack Fisk are simply the GOATs. See you MARCH FIFTEENTH. IT’S GO TIME. DREAM BIG.”
—Timothée Chalamet, Actor in a Leading Role, Marty Supreme
Miyako Bellizzi, who earned a nomination for Costume Design for the same film, conveyed profound gratitude, saying,
“It feels truly surreal to be nominated, what an honor! None of this would have been possible without the vision and big dream Josh had for all of us. This is my dream film, my dream era and dream characters and my heart is filled with so much gratitude. Thank you to my incredibly talented team, I really couldn’t have done it without each and every person involved. Thank you to the Academy for considering me, I feel extremely grateful and blessed to be part of this exciting moment!”
—Miyako Bellizzi, Costume Design, Marty Supreme
The acclaim extended beyond acting and costumes, including newly created categories and groundbreaking nominations. Jennifer Venditti, nominated in the first-ever Casting Oscar category for Marty Supreme, called the recognition
“a historic day for everyone in the casting community, truly a win for us ALL.”
She praised the collaborative spirit behind the film and shared the nomination with director Josh Safdie and the entire team that made the project possible.
“I feel so much joy seeing nearly the entire Marty Supreme family recognized. Thank you for SEEING us. And to my brilliant team. You are the quiet architects of this moment. This is for all of us. Thank you to the ACADEMY.”
—Jennifer Venditti, Casting, Marty Supreme
Honoring Inspirational Figures and Cultural Stories
Many nominees reflected on the personal and cultural significance of their work. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, acknowledged for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay, evoked a powerful emotional connection for the filmmaker.
“Frankenstein has been a companion – a guardian angel- to me since childhood. It taught me to see tenderness in darkness and humanity in all those cast aside. To have this film recognized with nine nominations is deeply emotional and personal. This honor belongs to all the artists who gave themselves completely to this work, in front and behind the camera and to the prodigious heart and mind of one Mary Shelley, a teenager whose story has always reminded the world that in the absence of love, compassion or responsibility monsters are born or absolved. Thank you all for embracing our film so generously.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay
A similar emotional tribute came from the team behind Sirat, an International Film nominee recognized for its innovative sound design. Oliver Laxe expressed heartfelt gratitude for the communal spirit of the project:
“Thank you to the Academy. It gives meaning to the work we do to know that it speaks to people so profoundly. The level of intense connection with audiences all over the world gives me peace; It tells me, ‘Okay, you’re on the right path.’ Thank you to NEON. I am so proud of our amazing team, my producers, my co-collaborators and department heads but it is most special to share this nomination with the women of the sound team: Laia, Amanda and Yas. To the beautiful people of rave culture who we met along the way and the families we formed, thank you. We are all humbled and honored.”
—Oliver Laxe, International Film, Sirat
The sound team of Sirat also shared their joy on being the first women-led team nominated in the sound category, celebrating the technical and creative risks taken in crafting the film’s immersive audio experience.
“We want to acknowledge and thank our visionary filmmaker Oliver Laxe, our wonderful producers, and the diverse communities who have championed this unique story. Thank you to the NEON team and the distributors worldwide for all of their support.”
—Laia Casanovas, Yasmina Praderas, and Amanda Villavieja, Sound, Sirat
A Collective Spirit Among Nominees Across Categories
The nominations also reflected a spirit of collective effort and the importance of collaboration in filmmaking.
Leonardo DiCaprio, recognized for his role in One Battle After Another, praised the teamwork that made his nominated film possible:
“Making this film was one of the most meaningful and collaborative experiences of my life. It was made possible by the generosity, courage, and talent of an extraordinary cast—Teyana, Chase, Benny, Sean, Regina —and by the commitment of our entire crew. None of this would have been possible without Paul’s vision, dedication, and belief in this film. He brought to life a complex story that feels deeply relevant to the world we’re living in, and I’m honored the Academy has recognized it in this moment. Congratulations to my fellow nominees for their remarkable work this season, and thank you again to the Academy.”
—Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor in a Leading Role, One Battle After Another
Teyana Taylor, a Supporting Actress nominee for the same film, described the nomination as a realization of long-held dreams despite challenges in her career path. “I fell asleep last night watching Pretty Woman, thinking about happy endings and how impossible they sometimes feel… and I woke up realizing I’ve been living in one that God has been preparing me for my own fairytale ending. 🥺 To be an Academy Award nominee is beyond anything I ever allowed myself to fully believe was possible. I am so deeply emotional, so humbled, and so grateful for every person who has walked this road with me & honored to be nominated alongside these amazing women in my category. 💕 My career has been filled with battles, doubts, and moments of deep uncertainty. It has felt like one long fight for space, for respect, and for opportunity. But today feels like a gentle reminder that dreams really do survive… even when the journey is hard. Today feels like a soft, beautiful “yes” from the universe. And as I always say… the wait was not punishment, it was preparation for what was already written. To our OBAA family…. Sara, Leo, Chase, Sean, Benicio, Regina, Cassandra, and the entire cast and crew! Congrats on an amazing morning for all of us & our film. To Pam, Mike, and the whole WB family, thank you for trusting us, for seeing us, for championing this journey, and for creating something so special together. We love you. As always and forever.. to Paul Let Him Cook Thomas Anderson, thank you for your vision, your trust, and your brilliance. My gratitude is endless. I am emotional. I am humbled. My heart is full. My life is forever changed, and I give all glory to God. 🙏🏾🤍” —Teyana Taylor, Supporting Actress, One Battle After Another
Other nominations celebrated the strength of storytelling and cultural expression. Wagner Moura’s recognition for The Secret Agent served as a homage to his homeland and its vibrant artistic community.
“I am truly honored by the amazing news this morning. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing, seeing, and responding to The Secret Agent. Congratulations to Gabriel Domingues and the extraordinarily talented and diverse cast of our film. Congratulations to my dear friends Kleber Mendonça Filho and Emilie Lesclaux. I share this nomination with the beautiful country of Brazil and the unwavering support, pride and love Brazilians have for their culture.”
—Wagner Moura, Actor in a Leading Role, The Secret Agent
Pioneering Achievements and Cultural Impact
This year, nominations broke new ground, marking historical milestones in several disciplines. The first-ever Oscar nomination for casting, honoring teams who shape narrative through thoughtful actor selection, was awarded for projects including Hamnet and Marty Supreme. Nina Gold, the casting director for Hamnet, emphasized the project’s collaborative spirit and historic significance:
“This first ever Casting Oscar nomination is a total and utter thrill. Hamnet is a beautiful example of the true power of artistic collaboration and it was a privilege to make it with all my incredible colleagues. And I’m also claiming this nomination for the previous 97 years of brilliant casting directors before us, and sharing my joy with them.”
—Nina Gold, Casting, Hamnet
On the creative side, Diane Warren expressed deep personal emotion about her nomination for the song “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless.
“Dear Me, when you were sitting alone in your room feeling like the world was against you, could you ever imagine your grown up self would write a song that would be nominated for an Academy Award! ‘Dear Me’ is my most personal song, yet it is also universal as it is resonating with so many so deeply.”
—Diane Warren, Original Song
Embracing the Journey Ahead
As nominees prepare to gather on Oscar night, the atmosphere is charged with excitement and anticipation, reflecting not only personal triumphs but the collective achievements of numerous artists and technical experts. Each nomination underscores the power of cinema to unite audiences worldwide and celebrate diverse voices and visions.
Emma Stone’s Oscar reaction exemplifies this spirit of humility and relentless passion, reminding all that long-term dedication and collaborative support are fundamental to artistic success. The road ahead includes not only the ceremony itself but also the ongoing impact these award-winning films and performances will have on audiences, inspiring future stories and creators.
The 98th Academy Awards promises to be a landmark event, showcasing a dynamic array of talent and acknowledging the unfaltering commitment to cinematic innovation and storytelling. From groundbreaking first-time recognitions to seasoned artists’ proud comebacks, this year’s nominations herald a bright future for the art of film.
