The Digester

Oscars run Sunday in a tight best picture race between One Battle After Another and Sinners

Mar 15th 2026

After months of campaigning, the Oscars return Sunday with a close best picture contest between Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another and Ryan Cooglers Sinners, uncertain acting races, and heightened security in Hollywood.

  • Ceremony airs Sunday at 4pm Pacific on ABC and Hulu and is hosted again by Conan OBrien.
  • Best picture is neck and neck between Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another and Ryan Cooglers Sinners.
  • Sinners set an Oscars record with 16 nominations and is among the frontrunners to win multiple awards.
  • Both films have a shot at challenging the all time record for most Oscar wins in a single year.
  • Ryan Coogler could become the first Black winner of best director if Sinners prevails.
  • Acting categories are highly uncertain, though Jessie Buckley is widely seen as the favourite for best actress.
  • Michael B. Jordan is favoured for best actor after a SAG win while Timothée Chalamets chances have declined due to controversy.
  • Producers have tightened security in Hollywood ahead of the show because of heightened global political tensions and ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
  • The televised program will include performances tied to nominated films, including Sinners and the KPop Demon Hunters song Golden.

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