Warner Bros. has taken firm control of the BAFTA conversation as the long-simmering awards duel between One Battle After Another and Sinners moves decisively to the U.K. Following Tuesday’s nominations announcement, the studio’s two flagbearers emerged as the most recognised films of the year, setting up a high-stakes showdown at the British Academy Film Awards.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another leads the field with 14 nominations, a tally that places it just two shy of BAFTA’s all-time record set by Gandhi and level with past heavyweights such as All Quiet on the Western Front, Atonement, The King’s Speech and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The political satire’s strong showing across major categories confirms its status as a central awards-season player and underlines its appeal beyond the U.S. circuit.
Close behind is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which earned 13 nominations, marking the highest number ever received at BAFTA by a film directed by a Black filmmaker. The milestone also delivers first-time BAFTA nominations for Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, extending the film’s remarkable awards momentum after its record-breaking Oscar nomination haul earlier this season.
Just a step below the frontrunners, Hamnet and Marty Supreme each secured 11 nominations, cementing their place as major contenders. Hamnet continues to fly the flag for U.K.-backed cinema while also delivering a historic achievement for Chloé Zhao, whose film now holds the record for the most BAFTA nominations ever received by a female director. Notably, Zhao is also the only woman nominated for Best Director this year.
Marty Supreme adds another layer to the awards narrative, with Timothée Chalamet returning to BAFTA’s Leading Actor race for a second consecutive year. The film also marks a milestone for Josh Safdie, who earned his first-ever BAFTA nomination in the director category, signalling the British academy’s embrace of his transition into awards-season territory.
The Best Film lineup reflects both prestige and range. Alongside One Battle After Another, Sinners, Hamnet and Marty Supreme, the category also includes Sentimental Value, which brings with it a notable personal milestone. Veteran actor Stellan Skarsgård received his first BAFTA nomination at the age of 74, a reminder of the academy’s willingness to recognise late-career achievements.
While the dominance of the top four films may feel predictable—each also led the pack after the first round of BAFTA voting—the nominations offer plenty for the British industry to celebrate beyond Hamnet. Several local indie titles converted longlist momentum into major-category recognition. Films such as I Swear, Pillion and The Ballad of Wallis Island broke out of the Outstanding British Film category and muscled their way into screenplay and acting races.
Among the standout performances, Robert Aramayo earned a Leading Actor nomination for I Swear while also pulling double duty as a Rising Star nominee. British acting talent was further spotlighted with nominations for Carey Mulligan (The Ballad of Wallis Island), Emily Watson (Hamnet), and Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), underscoring the strong domestic presence across categories.
The acting races themselves present a blend of established names and fresh challengers. In Leading Actor, Chalamet faces competition from Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Aramayo, and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia). Supporting categories are equally competitive, with One Battle After Another, Sinners and Hamnet all securing multiple nominations.
As ever, BAFTA also delivered its share of snubs and surprises. Frankenstein landed a solid eight nominations but failed to make the Best Film or Director lineups, while Wicked: For Good was confined to costume and makeup categories. Conversely, the depth of recognition for British indies was seen as a welcome affirmation of BAFTA’s commitment to homegrown cinema.
The international and craft categories further underline the global scope of this year’s nominations. Films such as The Secret Agent, The Voice of Hind Rajab and It Was Just an Accident feature prominently in the non-English language category, while technical fields see Sinners and One Battle After Another continuing their dominance.
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards will take place on February 22 at London’s Royal Festival Hall, with Alan Cumming set to host the ceremony. With Warner Bros. commanding the nominations and multiple records already in play, the stage is set for a night that could significantly shape the final stretch of the awards season—and potentially tip the balance as the race heads toward Oscar night.
Read More:
