After weeks of anticipation and mounting awards-season buzz for the 2026 Oscars shortlist, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially launched the race toward the 98th Academy Awards by unveiling its first round of 2026 Oscars shortlist across 12 categories.The announcement marks a major milestone in the race toward the 98th Academy Awards, offering an early look at the films, filmmakers, and creatives emerging as frontrunners.The Academy’s nominations immediately positioned Wicked: For Good and Sinners as clear frontrunners in this year’s awards race. The two films are the only features to appear on every 2026 Oscars shortlist for which they were eligible, scoring eight mentions each, including double placements in the Best Original Song category.Frankenstein followed closely, earning six mentions on the 2026 Oscars shortlist and securing recognition in nearly every category for which it was eligible. The film missed only Original Song due to ineligibility, underscoring its widespread support across multiple Academy branches.Full list of 2026 Oscars shortlist, revealed so farHere’s a look at the 2026 Oscars shortlist, organized by group, starting with Casting, followed by technical categories, music selections, non-fiction films, and concluding with global entries. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostCasting FrankensteinHamnetMarty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherThe Secret AgentSentimental ValueSinnersSirâtWeaponsWicked: For GoodCinematographyBallad of a Small PlayerBugoniaDie My LoveF1FrankensteinHamnetMarty SupremeNouvelle VagueOne Battle After AnotherSentimental ValueSinnersSirâtSong Sung BlueSound of FallingTrain DreamsWicked: For GoodDocumentary feature film shortlist: The Alabama Solution (Image via YouTube/ HBO)Documentary Feature FilmThe Alabama SolutionApocalypse in the TropicsCoexistence, My Ass!Come See Me in the Good LightCover-UpCutting through RocksFolktalesHolding LiatMr. Nobody against PutinMistress DispellerMy Undesirable Friends: Part 1 – Last Air in MoscowThe Perfect NeighborSeeds2000 Meters to AndriivkaYanuniDocumentary Short FilmAll the Empty RoomsAll the Walls Came DownArmed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent RenaudBad HostageCashing OutChasing TimeChildren No More: Were and Are GoneClassroom 4The Devil Is BusyHeartbeatLast Days on Lake TrinityOn Healing Land, Birds PerchPerfectly a StrangenessRovina’s ChoiceWe Were the SceneryInternational feature film shortlist: Homebound (Image via YouTube/ Dharma Productions)International Feature FilmArgentina – BelénBrazil – The Secret AgentFrance – It Was Just an AccidentGermany – Sound of FallingIndia – HomeboundIraq – The President’s CakeJapan – KokuhoJordan – All That’s Left of YouNorway – Sentimental ValuePalestine – Palestine 36South Korea – No Other ChoiceSpain – SirâtSwitzerland – Late ShiftTaiwan – Left-Handed GirlTunisia – The Voice of Hind RajabLive Action Short FilmAdoAmarelaBeyond SilenceThe Boy with White SkinButcher’s StainButterfly on a WheelDad’s Not HomeExtremistA Friend of DorothyJane Austen’s Period DramaPantyhoseThe Pearl CombRock, Paper, ScissorsThe SingersTwo People Exchanging SalivaMakeup and HairstylingThe Alto KnightsFrankensteinKokuhoMarty SupremeNurembergOne Battle After AnotherSinnersThe Smashing MachineThe Ugly StepsisterWicked: For GoodMusic (Original Score)Avatar: Fire and AshBugoniaCaptain America: Brave New WorldDiane Warren: RelentlessF1FrankensteinHamnetHeddaA House of DynamiteJay KellyMarty SupremeNurembergOne Battle After AnotherSinnersSirâtTrain DreamsTron: AresTruth and TreasonWake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out MysteryWicked: For GoodMusic (Original Song)As Alive As You Need Me To Be – Tron: AresDear Me – Diane Warren: RelentlessDream As One – Avatar: Fire and AshDrive – F1Dying To Live – Billy Idol Should Be DeadThe Girl in the Bubble – Wicked: For GoodGolden – KPop Demon HuntersHighest 2 Lowest – Highest 2 LowestI Lied To You – SinnersLast Time (I Seen the Sun) – SinnersNo Place Like Home – Wicked: For GoodOur Love – The Ballad of Wallis IslandSalt Then Sour Then Sweet – Come See Me in the Good LightSweet Dreams of Joy – Viva Verdi!Train Dreams – Train Dreams2026 Oscars shortlist: Frankenstein (Image via Netflix)SoundAvatar: Fire and AshF1FrankensteinMission: Impossible – The Final ReckoningOne Battle After AnotherSinnersSirâtSpringsteen: Deliver Me from NowhereSupermanWicked: For GoodVisual EffectsAvatar: Fire and AshThe Electric StateF1FrankensteinJurassic World RebirthThe Lost BusSinnersSupermanTron: AresWicked: For GoodWith nomination voting set to begin in January and the final 2026 Oscars shortlist announced shortly after, these shortlists provide the clearest roadmap yet for the films shaping the 2026 Oscars shortlist race.The 98th Oscars are scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026, and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This time around, ABC will air the show live, continuing its longtime role as the TV home for the awards.Also read: Disney greenlights a live-action Gaston movie with Dave Callaham and Michelle Rejwan