One Battle After Another tops BAFTA 2026 nominations as Hamnet sets a new milestone
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards nominations have been unveiled, highlighting a diverse and ambitious range of films and performances. Leading the field is One Battle After Another, a politically charged dark comedy thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which secured 14 nominations, including best film, best director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and best actor for DiCaprio. Closely behind is Ryan Coogler’s period vampire horror Sinners with 13 nods, followed by Marty Supreme and Shakespearean drama Hamnet, each earning 11 nominations.
Hamnet stands out as a landmark achievement, with director Chloe Zhao setting a BAFTA record as the most-nominated film ever by a female director. The film’s lead, Jessie Buckley, is nominated for leading actress following a strong awards-season run, while co-star Paul Mescal is recognised in the supporting actor category. Buckley also appears elsewhere in the nominations, underlining her prominence this year.
One Battle After Another, loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, follows DiCaprio’s portrayal of a paranoid former revolutionary searching for his missing daughter. First-time nominee Chase Infiniti, who plays the daughter, is shortlisted for best actress, alongside established stars such as Emma Stone for Bugonia and Michael B Jordan for Sinners. Supporting nominations for One Battle After Another include Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro.
British talent features prominently across categories, particularly in best supporting actress, where Wunmi Mosaku, Carey Mulligan and Emily Watson account for half of the nominees. The BAFTAs also recognise British films and emerging talent, with Robert Aramayo earning nominations for best actor and rising star for his role in I Swear.
BAFTA leaders praised the nominations for reflecting a wide breadth of storytelling, addressing themes such as activism, identity, corruption and human connection. The awards ceremony will take place on 22 February at London’s Royal Festival Hall, hosted by Alan Cumming.