BAFTA Film Awards 2026: 'One Battle After Another' Tops Nominations, 'Sinners' Close Behind

On 27th January, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) made announcement on the 2026 Film Awards nominations, laying the groundwork for an exciting and fiercely competitive awards season. Paul Thomas Anderson's dark comedy 'One Battle After Another' defeated Ryan Coogler's critically acclaimed historical thriller 'Sinners,' which got 13 nominations across major categories, to become the most-nominated film with 14 nods in a close contest that has enthralled industry watchers.  

As the film industry prepares for BAFTA's star-studded presentation in London in late February, the full list showcases a wide range of films and performers from the previous year. Top candidates include 'Hamnet,' 'Marty Supreme,' and 'Sentimental Value.'

'One Battle After Another' Tops Nominations Over Close Rival

In this year's announcement, which was broadcasted from BAFTA's headquarters in London on 27th January—'One Battle After Another' secured the most nominations, earning 14 total recognitions including Best Film, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and multiple acting nods for its stars, such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti. As the awards season approaches, the film's strong presence in key categories shows both industry momentum and critical acclaim.

Image Courtesy: Equire

Following this, Ryan Coogler's vampire-themed drama 'Sinners,' which is set in the segregated American South and honours blues culture and identity, received 13 nominations for Best Film, Best Director, and acting, including Michael B. Jordan and Wunmi Mosaku. Particularly since 'Sinners' just made headlines for setting the record for the most Oscar nominations in a single year, the close one-nomination difference between these two films has generated competitive interest. 

With 'One Battle After Another' praised for its kinetic style and storytelling and 'Sinners' praised for its potent thematic resonance, this close lead has created a compelling contrast that many see as one of the major storylines of the 2026 awards season.

Image Courtesy: Deadline

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Broad Recognition Across Categories Adds Excitement

The BAFTA nominees list features a variety of well-known movies and exceptional performances from the previous year in addition to the top two contenders. 'Marty Supreme' received 11 nominations, indicating a strong awards presence for genre-spanning narrative, while 'Hamnet,' the Shakespeare-inspired historical drama directed by Chloé Zhao, also received 11 nominations, including Best Film and many actor points. 

Other nominees include 'Sentimental Value,' 'Bugonia,' and 'Frankenstein,' which picked up recognition in both performance and technical categories. With nominees including Timothée Chalamet, Jessie Buckley, Ethan Hawke, Rose Byrne, and Emma Stone vying for leading and supporting parts, the acting categories showcases a mix of Hollywood heavyweights and up-and-coming talent.

Image Courtesy: Deadline

Alan Cumming will host the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards event, which is set on 22nd February, in London's Royal Festival Hall. This year's nominations have sparked intense debate among fans and critics alike, with many eager to see if 'One Battle After Another' can turn its nomination lead into wins or if 'Sinners' will surge ahead when winners are announced. 'One Battle After Another' is one of the most prestigious stops on the awards circuit and is frequently regarded as a bellwether for the Oscars. 

The Wider Impact and Awards Race Momentum

Industry experts observe that the BAFTA nominations highlight films that have struck a chord with viewers and critics around the world in addition to honoring artistic merit. While 'Sinners' continues to spark discussion due to its cultural significance and excellent ensemble work, 'One Battle After Another' has made waves for both its genre-blending plot and DiCaprio's remarkable performance. 

Image Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter

With the Oscars nominations officially revealed earlier in January and awards season still in progress, the BAFTA nominations add still another level of excitement and anticipation as moviegoers around the world anticipate honouring the best in filmmaking. 

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