The BAFTA Film Awards are once again setting the tone for awards season, and this year, Leonardo DiCaprio’s politically charged thriller One Battle After Another has emerged as the clear frontrunner. With a massive 14 nominations, the film leads the field and positions itself as one of the most talked-about cinematic achievements of the year.
Hot on its heels is the vampire-horror sensation Sinners, which secured 13 nominations, proving that genre films can command serious awards attention when executed with ambition and depth. Close behind are Hamnet, a Shakespeare-inspired historical drama, and Marty Supreme, a high-energy biopic centered on the world of table tennis—both earning 11 nominations each.
This year’s nominations highlight a diverse mix of blockbuster spectacles, indie gems, and British storytelling, making the upcoming ceremony one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Acting Categories: Familiar Faces and Notable Comebacks
As expected, Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley, widely regarded as Oscar frontrunners in the lead acting categories, have successfully repeated their nominations at BAFTA. Their performances have been consistently praised across critics’ circles, and BAFTA recognition further cements their awards momentum.
However, the BAFTAs also brought pleasant surprises. Two actors notably absent from the Oscar nominations—Chase Infiniti and Paul Mescal—have found a place here. This divergence highlights a key difference between the two awards bodies: BAFTA often allows six nominees per category, compared to the Oscars’ standard five, creating more room for recognition.
This expanded format frequently results in a more eclectic and inclusive lineup, especially for performances that resonate strongly with British audiences.
Celebrating British Cinema: Homegrown Talent Shines
One of BAFTA’s defining features is its emphasis on British filmmaking. Special categories such as Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer ensure that local talent receives global visibility.
This year, British films including I Swear, Pillion, H is for Hawk, and The Ballad of Wallis Island earned recognition on BAFTA’s shortlists. These selections underline the strength of British independent cinema and its ability to stand alongside international blockbusters.
BAFTA chair Sara Putt praised the diversity of this year’s lineup, emphasizing how thrilling it is to see small-scale indie films sharing space with worldwide box-office hits.
Full Breakdown: Films with the Most Nominations
Here’s a look at the films leading the nominations race:
- One Battle After Another – 14 nominations
- Sinners – 13 nominations
- Hamnet – 11 nominations
- Marty Supreme – 11 nominations
- Frankenstein – 8 nominations
- Sentimental Value – 8 nominations
- I Swear – 5 nominations
- Bugonia – 5 nominations
Despite these impressive numbers, none of this year’s contenders managed to surpass the long-standing BAFTA record of 16 nominations, a feat achieved by Gandhi back in 1982.
Snubs, Surprises, and Acting Shake-Ups
Awards season is incomplete without its fair share of snubs, and BAFTA 2026 is no exception. Four actors who earned Oscar nominations—Amy Madigan, Delroy Lindo, Wagner Moura, and Elle Fanning—failed to secure BAFTA nods. Interestingly, Moura and Fanning were not even longlisted, making their omission particularly striking.
On the flip side, BAFTA recognized several performances overlooked by the Academy, including Jesse Plemons for Bugonia and Odessa A’Zion for Marty Supreme. This contrast once again reinforces BAFTA’s reputation for charting its own path rather than mirroring Oscar choices.
British actors also made a strong showing, with Robert Aramayo and Peter Mullan earning nominations for I Swear, while Emily Watson received acclaim for her role in Hamnet. Meanwhile, Wunmi Mosaku continued her awards streak by repeating her Oscar nomination for Sinners.
Director Category: A Familiar Lineup with One Key Addition
The BAFTA director category largely mirrors the Oscars this year, featuring the same five nominees. However, thanks to an additional slot, Yorgos Lanthimos also earned a nomination for his conspiracy-driven drama Bugonia, adding a distinct auteur presence to the list.
Elsewhere, Brad Pitt’s racing drama F1 managed to secure three nominations in technical categories. However, it failed to replicate its surprise Best Picture nomination from the Oscars, signaling a cooler reception from BAFTA voters in top-tier categories.
Films That Missed Out
One of the most surprising omissions this year is KPop Demon Hunters, a Netflix phenomenon that became last year’s biggest viral film. Despite its massive popularity, the film was ruled ineligible for BAFTA consideration because it debuted directly on Netflix in the UK without a prior theatrical release.
Although a singalong version later appeared in cinemas, it did not meet BAFTA’s eligibility requirements—a reminder of how distribution strategies can significantly impact awards prospects.
BAFTA Film Awards 2026: Event Details
The prestigious ceremony will be hosted by actor and television presenter Alan Cumming and will take place at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, 22 February. With such a competitive slate of nominees, the event promises glamour, drama, and plenty of talking points for film lovers worldwide.
As awards season intensifies, the BAFTAs once again prove that they are not just a stepping stone to the Oscars, but a powerful platform celebrating cinematic excellence in its own right.