The 2026 Oscar nominations were announced on January 22. Many of the year’s most popular movies received nominations, and some are available to stream on HBO Max. Here are four, including this most nominated film of the year, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.”
Zach Cregger’s ‘Weapons’
“Weapons,” directed by Zach Cregger, became one of the most talked-about movies of 2025. Because of this, it’s no surprise that it earned Amy Madigan an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her much-talked-about role as Gladys.
Regarding reviews, “Weapons” has an impressive 93 percent from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. This is based on 393 ratings from registered critics. Audiences gave the film an 85% rating.
One critic, Kim Newman, said of the movie, “Weapons is nearly an hour longer than the average creepy movie, but Cregger’s mosaic approach justifies extra running time as he asks us to put pieces together for ourselves while delivering jolts with sudden crossed wires.”
Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’
Warner Bros. released Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” to movie theaters in September 2025. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn, Chase Infiniti, Benicio del Toro, and Regina Hall.
“One Battle After Another” debuted to critical acclaim and currently holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences have it at an impressive 88%. Regarding the Oscars, the movie received 13 nominations. They include Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director, among several others.
One critic, Allison Rose, said, “A gripping, character-driven epic that proves Paul Thomas Anderson remains one of cinema’s most uncompromising storytellers.”
Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman’s ‘The Alabama Solution’
Documentaries are also a significant aspect of the film industry, and one of the nominees in this category at the 2026 Oscars is Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman’s “The Alabama Solution.” The film, released in January 2025, explores the prison crisis in Alabama.
“The Alabama Solution” currently holds a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic, Alissa Wilkinson, said, “Bringing several types of filmmaking, amateur and professional, together for a movie like this makes that message all the more powerful.”
Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’
Warner Bros. released “Sinners” in April 2025 to rave reviews and massive box office success. Because of this, the industry expected it to do well on the morning of Oscar nominations. In total, Coogler’s “Sinners” racked up 16 nominations, the most of any film in history.
Some of its nominations include Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Best Score, Best Director, among several others. Regarding its reviews, “Sinners” has an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 427 reviews from critics.
One reviewer, Sergio Burstein, said, “Coogler constantly dazzles us with a soaring visual display that takes its time developing long, inspired takes, elevating the legacy of traditional blues, and isn’t afraid of moments of frank sexuality.”
