Predictions: ‘Sinners’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ could challenge Oscars nominations record

Kyle Buchanan, writing as The Projectionist for The New York Times, predicts that this year’s Oscar nominations could see “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” challenge the long-standing record for most nominations when the Academy announces its slate on Thursday. The current record of 14 nominations was set by “La La Land,” “Titanic” and “All About Eve.” Buchanan notes the Oscars recently added a casting category that will tend to increase nomination totals, and says both films are well positioned to crack — or even surpass — that ceiling.

He identifies five films that earned top nominations from the producers, directors and actors guilds: “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme” and “Frankenstein.” Buchanan outlines other contenders for best picture and acting attention: Norway’s “Sentimental Value” raised concerns after missing Screen Actors Guild nods despite a Golden Globe for Stellan Skarsgard; Brazil’s “The Secret Agent” won two Globes; Iran’s “It Was Just An Accident” has Gotham wins and a Cannes Palme d’Or; Netflix’s “Train Dreams” kept momentum with producers guild and AFI citations; and “Bugonia” scored SAG nominations for Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons.

On specific-category predictions, Buchanan forecasts a directors list matching the Directors Guild nominees — Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Guillermo del Toro, Josh Safdie and Chloé Zhao. For acting, he calls Timothée Chalamet a lock, expects Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B.

Key Topics

Culture, Sinners, Academy Awards, Hamnet, Frankenstein, Marty Supreme