This is it. The 98th Academy Awards are upon us, and if you’re not buzzing with anticipation, you haven’t been paying attention. This year’s race has everything: a genuine underdog story, a record-shattering frontrunner, and zero certainty about who walks away with the big prize. At the center of it all is the supernatural thriller Sinners – a film from one of Hollywood’s most visionary directors that arrived like a thunderclap and refused to be ignored. With an unprecedented 16 nominations, Sinners has officially become the most nominated film in Oscar history, surpassing legends like Titanic and La La Land. It also made history as the film with the most black individuals nominated for a single production ever at 10 nominations. Standing in its way is Paul Thomas Anderson’s genre-defying One Battle After Another, armed with 13 nominations and a steamroller run through awards season.
Adding to the excitement, this ceremony marks a landmark moment for the industry: the debut of the brand new Academy Award for Best Casting, the first new Oscar category introduced since Best Animated Feature back in 2001. After more than two decades, casting directors are finally getting their flowers. Fan-favorite Conan O’Brien returns as host for the second year running after a hugely well-received debut, promising sharp writing and big laughs. Not only will it be a star-studded night, but it may also be incredibly historic moment for these historic nominated films. The 98th Academy Awards air live on ABC and Hulu at 7 p.m. ET.
