As the lights come up on the 98th Academy Awards, the season reaches its final act with one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in recent memory. Months of precursors — from the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards to the key guilds and the BAFTAs — have shaped a volatile field where no single film has fully consolidated momentum, leaving several major categories genuinely open as the envelopes are read.
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Ryan Coogler’s period horror Sinners enters the night with a record-breaking 16 nominations, the most ever received by a single film in Academy history, surpassing the previous benchmark of 14 held by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land. Its closest competitor is One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling political thriller, which follows with 13 nominations and has dominated much of the critics and guild circuit.
Have a look at the full list of this years nominees here
Precursor awards have split the field in telling ways. One Battle After Another surged early in the season, winning Best Picture at the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, while Anderson picked up Best Director at the Globes and BAFTAs. Anderson’s victory at the Directors Guild of America Awards (DGA) — historically the strongest predictor of the Academy’s directing prize — has further cemented him as the category’s frontrunner.
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) — often considered the best statistical indicator for Best Picture because it uses the same preferential ballot system as the Oscars — also crowned One Battle After Another, strengthening its case as the likely top-category winner. Yet the guild results have not produced a clean sweep, leaving room for rivals. Industry chatter suggests Sinners has built significant momentum thanks to strong showings in acting and technical races, as well as a major haul of nominations across crafts.
Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, which took the Golden Globe for Best Drama, will likely take home at least one statuette, as Jessie Buckley is widely tipped to win Best Actress. Meanwhile, nominees like The Secret Agent and Sentimental Value fill out a Best Picture slate that reflects the Academy’s increasing international and genre-friendly voting bloc.
Several categories remain fiercely competitive. Best Actor is widely viewed as one of the night’s tightest contests, with Michael B. Jordan ( Sinners), Leonardo DiCaprio ( One Battle After Another), Timothée Chalamet ( Marty Supreme), and Wagner Moura ( The Secret Agent) all in the mix. Supporting categories are similarly fluid, while screenplay races hinge on whether guild winners like the Writers Guild Awards (WGA) translate to Oscar ballots.
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One Battle After Another carries the statistical edge thanks to its guild wins and directing momentum, while Sinners holds the nomination record and broad craft support that often signals a sweeping victory. With multiple categories still in flux, the 98th Academy Awards will likely see a finish where even seasoned awards watchers are guessing until the final envelope.
Indian viewers can catch the event streaming live on Star Movies and JioHotstar, on Monday, March 16, at 5:30 AM IST.
The Oscars 2025 winners have been announced. (This live has now ended)
