BAFTA Nominations 2026: Full Nominees List and 79th Awards Analysis
History nearly repeated itself this morning. When actors David Jonsson and Aimee Lou Wood took to the podium to announce the BAFTA nominations 2026, one film dominated the conversation immediately. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another secured a staggering 14 nominations, falling just two short of the all-time record set by Gandhi back in 1983.
The nominations for the 79th British Academy Film Awards have officially reshaped the awards season narrative. Announced on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, the shortlist highlights a fascinating tug-of-war between high-octane American auteurs and the quiet, crushing power of British indie cinema. While Hollywood heavyweights dominate the headline numbers, the underlying trend points toward a voting body that prioritises craft over pure spectacle.
If you are looking for the full BAFTA nominees list, the biggest snubs of the season, and an expert breakdown of what this means for the ceremony on 22 February, you are in the right place. Let’s break down the field.
The 2026 BAFTA Frontrunners: One Battle After Another vs. Sinners
The headline story of the BAFTA nominations 2026 is undoubtedly the duel between Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler. These two filmmakers have captured the imagination of the British Academy in a way few expected.
Leading the Pack: Paul Thomas Anderson’s 14-Nomination Sweep
One Battle After Another has performed exceptionally well across all voting chapters. Securing 14 nods, including Best Film, Best Director, and Leading Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, represents a massive consensus. Usually, films drop technical nominations when they sweep the major acting categories, but Anderson’s epic has held firm in Cinematography, Editing, and Sound.
From an industry perspective, this level of dominance suggests the “broad membership” vote, which decides the winner, will likely coalesce around this title. It checks every box the Academy loves: historical weight, technical precision, and a sprawling ensemble cast.
Sinners: Breaking Ground
Hot on its heels is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, with 13 nominations. This is a significant moment for the film, specifically for Michael B. Jordan, who picked up a Leading Actor nomination. The film’s strength lies in its craft categories. According to the breakdown from Screen Daily, Sinners performed best with the technical chapters, securing nods for Costume Design and Production Design that rival the period pieces in the running.
The “Jury Effect” on the Shortlist
It is worth explaining why the BAFTA list often looks different from the Oscars. Since the 2020 review, BAFTA uses specific “jury” interventions in the directing and acting longlists to ensure diversity and breadth. This is likely why we see films like Sentimental Value and Blue Moon making the cut here, whereas they might struggle with the sheer volume of the American Academy voters. This system forces voters to watch a randomised selection of films, giving smaller budget productions a fair fight against marketing giants.
Full List of 2026 BAFTA Nominees by Category
The following list represents the primary contenders for the 79th British Academy Film Awards. While 46 films received at least one nomination, the race is concentrated among five key titles.
Best Film
The battle for the night’s biggest prize is tight, but the inclusion of Hamnet ensures strong British representation.
- One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)
- Sinners (Ryan Coogler)
- Hamnet (Chloé Zhao)
- Marty Supreme (Josh Safdie)
- Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier)
Best Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
- Ryan Coogler (Sinners)
- Chloé Zhao (Hamnet)
- Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme)
- Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)
- Edward Berger (Conclave)
Leading Actor
This category is arguably the most competitive of the night. Timothée Chalamet’s transformation in Marty Supreme goes head-to-head with DiCaprio’s veteran presence.
- Robert Aramayo (I Swear)
- Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
- Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)
- Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
- Jesse Plemons (Bugonia)
Leading Actress
The Leading Actress race brings some of the most exciting talent to the forefront. Keep an eye on Chase Infiniti; her momentum has been building since the festival circuit.
- Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
- Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue)
- Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another)
- Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
- Emma Stone (Bugonia)
Supporting Actor
- Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing)
- Josh O’Connor (Wake Up Dead Man)
- Guy Pearce (The Brutalist)
- Stanley Tucci (Conclave)
- Denzel Washington (Gladiator II)
Supporting Actress
- Maria Bakalova (The Apprentice)
- Joan Chen (Dìdi)
- Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson)
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Nickel Boys)
- Saoirse Ronan (Blitz)
- Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door)
[View the complete breakdown of technical categories on BAFTA.org]
The British “Home Team”: Hamnet and Indie Success
When analysing BAFTA nominations 2026, you cannot ignore the “Outstanding British Film” category. This is often where the Academy asserts its unique identity, championing local productions that the US awards circuit overlooks.
Hamnet: The Crown Jewel
Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Hamnet secured 11 nominations, placing it firmly in third place overall. For UK audiences, this is the home favourite. Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare is precisely the kind of gritty, emotionally resonant performance that BAFTA voters historically reward. Unlike the glossier US productions, Hamnet relies on atmospheric storytelling, a trait that clearly resonated with the British voting chapters.
I Swear and the “Debut” Factor
Another critical inclusion is I Swear, starring Robert Aramayo. His nomination for Leading Actor is a testament to the strength of the British independent sector this year. According to analysis by The Guardian, the 2026 intake of nominees reflects a “golden year” for UK acting talent, with British actors securing 40% of the acting slots across all four categories.
Outstanding British Film Contenders
This separate category (where 15 films usually compete) allows blockbusters to sit alongside documentaries.
- Hamnet
- 28 Years Later
- Blitz
- Bird
- Santosh
- Civil War
- Paddington in Peru
- We Live in Time
- The Outrun
- Kneecap
Surprises and Snubs: The Wicked Divergence
Every awards announcement brings disappointment, but the BAFTA 2026 shortlist delivered a distinct shock regarding Wicked: For Good.
Despite massive box office success and a strong promotional campaign, the film missed out on the major “Above the Line” categories (Best Film, Director, Screenplay). While it picked up expected nods in Production Design and Makeup & Hair, the lack of acting nominations for its leads is a major talking point.
Why Did Wicked Miss?
The “snub” likely comes down to the jury system mentioned earlier. The acting juries tend to favour grounded, naturalistic performances over musical theatre stylings. As reported by Variety, this year’s jury composition leaned heavily toward directors and casting directors from the independent sector, which naturally disadvantaged high-gloss studio musicals.
Instead, we see films like The Substance and Bugonia overperforming. Yorgos Lanthimos (Bugonia) continues to be a BAFTA darling, with voters consistently responding to his surrealist style regardless of the broader commercial reception.
EE Rising Star Award: Voted by the British Public
This is the only award at the 79th British Academy Film Awards decided entirely by the public. The nominees were announced earlier this month, but their context changes now that we see the full list.
The 2026 Nominees:
- Archie Madekwe (Known for Saltburn and Gran Turismo)
- Chase Infiniti (The breakout star of One Battle After Another)
- Miles Caton (Critical acclaim for Sunlight)
- Posy Sterling (The discovery of the year in British TV/Film crossover)
- Robert Aramayo (Now a double nominee with his Leading Actor nod)
Strategist’s Note: Robert Aramayo’s inclusion in the main Leading Actor category makes him the statistical favourite here. Historically, when a Rising Star nominee also lands a main category nod (like Bukky Bakray or Tom Holland in previous years), their chances of winning the public vote skyrocket due to the perceived legitimacy of their performance.
[Cast your vote for the EE Rising Star Award here]
Ceremony Logistics: How to Watch the 2026 BAFTAs
Mark your calendars. The climax of the British film year is less than a month away.
- Date: Sunday, 22 February 2026
- Venue: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London
- Host: Alan Cumming
- Broadcaster: BBC One and BBC iPlayer (UK), BritBox (International markets)
Alan Cumming takes the reins as host this year. His theatrical background and sharp wit suggest a ceremony that will lean into the performance aspect of cinema. The BBC confirmed that the ceremony will be broadcast with a slight time delay to manage the edit, a standard practice for the last few years.
Pro-Tip for UK Viewers: If you want to catch up on the nominated films before the ceremony, check the release windows carefully. One Battle After Another is still exclusive to cinemas (IMAX 70mm screenings are recommended), while Hamnet is expected to land on premium video-on-demand (PVOD) services just 48 hours before the ceremony to capitalise on the hype.
Conclusion: A Battle of Scale vs. Soul
The BAFTA nominations 2026 have set the stage for a fascinating clash. On one side, we have the sheer cinematic scale of One Battle After Another, a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. On the other, we have the soulful, intimate storytelling of Hamnet and I Swear.
Paul Thomas Anderson is the clear statistical favourite, but BAFTA voters have a history of spreading the wealth. Do not be surprised if One Battle After Another takes Best Film, while a British contender like Chloé Zhao sneaks in for Best Director.
The countdown to the 79th British Academy Film Awards has begun. The industry will now descend on London for a month of campaigning, screenings, and parties. We will be tracking the odds right up until the red carpet rolls out.
What do you think? Did Wicked deserve more love? Is Paul Thomas Anderson finally going to get his due? Share your thoughts on the Rising Star vote and let’s discuss the winners.
FAQs
Who has the most nominations for BAFTA 2026?
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another leads the field with 14 nominations, followed closely by Ryan Coogler’s Sinners with 13.
Where are the 2026 BAFTAs being held?
The ceremony will take place at the Royal Festival Hall within the Southbank Centre in London.
Who is hosting the BAFTA Film Awards 2026?
Acclaimed actor and presenter Alan Cumming will host the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards.
Is Wicked nominated for any BAFTAs in 2026?
Yes, but primarily in technical categories like Production Design and Makeup. It notably missed out on Best Film and Director nominations.
How many nominations did One Battle After Another get?
It received 14 nominations, which is just two short of the all-time BAFTA record held by Gandhi.
When is the 2026 BAFTA ceremony?
The awards will be presented on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
Who are the 2026 EE Rising Star nominees?
The nominees are Archie Madekwe, Chase Infiniti, Miles Caton, Posy Sterling, and Robert Aramayo.
Did Leonardo DiCaprio get a BAFTA nomination in 2026?
Yes, Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for Leading Actor for his performance in One Battle After Another.
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