'Sinners' became the first film to receive the most nominations in the Oscars Academy Awards. Read on to know all about it.
Lewis Pullman and Danielle Brooks announced the nominees for the 98th Academy Awards on January 22, 2026. They were at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Los Angeles. However, the highlight of the event was a new category introduced as 'Best Casting'. The ceremony was live-streamed globally on Oscar.com and the Academy's digital platform. However, one film that broke all records is Sinners, which received 16 Oscar nominations.
Ryan Coogler's critically and commercially acclaimed supernatural thriller, Sinners has been in the headlines after it was nominated for 16 Academy Awards. It became the first film to receive so many nominations in the history of the Oscars. The film stars Michael B Jordan as 'twin brothers'. He was setting up a blues club in 1930s Mississippi as he fought with racism and vampires. It has so far made a business of USD 368 million worldwide.
Talking about the Academy Awards nominations, it has been nominated for trophies for best picture, director, leading actor, supporting actor (Delroy Lindo), supporting actress (Wunmi Mosaku) and the Academy's inaugural casting prize. It also received a nomination for costume design, which was designed by Ruth E Carter. She has been nominated five times and is famously known as the most-nominated Black woman in the history of the Oscars over 98 years. The film is also nominated in the category of best cinematography.
As Sinners received multiple awards, it has broken records of films such as All About Eve, Titanic, La La Land, and so far, it has received 14 nominations. These films were able to convert the nominations into notable wins. Another film that has received the highest number of nominations is countercultural comedy, One Battle After Another, which has received 13 nominations.
Sinners is set over the course of a single day and is a story about Clarksdale, Mississippi. It starts with 'Sammie' played by Miles Cator, who is a preacher's son and guitar prodigy. He arrived at his father's church with his face carved up and a guitar in his hand. Then it gives a flashback of the notorious Smokestack twins, 'Smoke and Stack', which was played by Michael B Jordan. They are back in the town after staying nine years in Chicago. They came with a suitcase of Capone's stolen cash, and they want to open a juke joint called' The Juke' that would serve Black workers where they can drink and dance.
The two hire a ragtag band, a booze-soaked harmonica player, a housebound singer, and Smoke's estranged occultist wife, and a Chinese-American couple for catering. However, things took a turn at the juke joint's opening. The film blends southern gothic, supernatural horror and period drama since it's set in 1932. The twin brothers hoped that their joint will give them redemption and renewal, but something dark is already seeking them.
The town and the twin brothers face a supernatural evil and a vampire threat that preys on their community. What started as their dream come true became their ultimate fight to stay alive. They have to fight this supernatural threat and protect their people, whom they deeply care for. The climax of the film takes place on the opening night, which was meant to be a celebration, but it turns into a battlefield as vampires reveal their true faces.
They start killing the crowd by tempting them. One brother, 'Smoke', chooses resistance and sacrifice while 'Stack' likes vampires' promise, as he was tired of living life in poverty and violence. In the end, 'Stack' becomes a vampire, but it was the decision that became the reason for his death at the hands of his own brother, 'Smoke'. The emotional ending shows how 'Smoke' knew that he was not just killing a monster but his own brother.
As per Showbiz Galore, Michael B Jordan received the highest pay cheque. He allegedly received a cheque for USD 4 million for playing a dual role in the film. After which, Hailee Steinfeld received a USD 1 million pay cheque. Next on the list is Jack O Connel, who got a salary of USD 250,000. Wunmi Mosaku is also rumoured to be earning USD 250,000. Omar Benson Miller is speculated to have got a cheque of USD 85,000. On the other hand, Jayme Lawson earns USD 70,000, and Delroy Lindo received USD 80,000. It is worth mentioning that these are not official numbers, and they may vary. The A-listers got a significant amount due to the roles, while the supporting cast earned a salary set for secondary performances. It is worth saying that the film has an intriguing title with diverse stories and characters. Fans loved Michael B. Jordon in the double role as he takes the lead alongside an impressive star cast.
What do you think about Sinners breaking the record and receiving the highest number of nominations ever? The film is available on JioHotstar and Amazon Prime India.
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