As the countdown to the 98th Academy Awards gathers momentum, film lovers around the world are rushing to catch up on the titles dominating this year’s awards conversation. With predictions heating up and favourites beginning to emerge, the 2026 awards season has reached one of its most exciting phases, bringing together a diverse slate of films ranging from powerful dramas to high-octane spectacles and deeply personal stories.

According to a press release from Prime Video, several of this year’s Oscar-nominated films are already available on streaming platforms, making it easier for audiences to watch the most talked-about titles before Hollywood’s biggest night. From genre-bending thrillers to historical dramas and emotional family stories, the nominated films highlight the wide creative range that defined cinema over the past year.

Among the most talked-about titles is ‘Sinners’, directed by filmmaker Ryan Coogler. Marking his return to directing after a three-year break, the film is set in 1930s Mississippi and follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, both played by Michael B. Jordan. The World War I veterans return to their hometown hoping to start a new life by opening a juke joint for the local Black community. However, their plans take a chilling turn when vampires are drawn to the town by the remarkable musical talent of their young cousin. Blending horror, music and historical themes, the film explores how Black art and culture have been celebrated while also being exploited across generations.

Another major nominee generating strong critical attention is ‘Sentimental Value’, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier. The emotionally layered drama revolves around two sisters, Nora and Agnes, who reunite with their estranged father Gustav, a once-celebrated film director. Following the death of their mother, Gustav attempts to reconnect with his daughters by casting Nora, an actress, in what he hopes will be his comeback film after years away from filmmaking. When she declines the role, long-buried family tensions resurface, forcing the characters to confront unresolved grief and memories tied to their past.

The Oscar race also features the political thriller ‘One Battle After Another’, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob, a former revolutionary living quietly with his daughter while struggling with paranoia and the shadows of his radical past. When unfinished conflicts begin to resurface, Bob is pulled into a relentless pursuit that forces him to confront the consequences of his earlier life while trying to protect his child. The film blends suspense with sharp commentary on activism, identity and the personal cost of living outside mainstream society.

For viewers looking for a cinematic spectacle, ‘F1’ stands out as one of the most visually thrilling nominees of the year. The racing drama stars Brad Pitt as a veteran Formula One driver who returns to the sport years after a devastating accident ended his career. Joining a struggling racing team alongside a young rookie, he attempts to reclaim his place in the fiercely competitive world of Formula One. Filmed during real race weekends with unprecedented access to the sport, the film combines breathtaking racing sequences with a story of mentorship, rivalry and redemption.

Rounding out the list is the historical drama ‘Hamnet’, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao. Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel, the film imagines the emotional circumstances that may have influenced William Shakespeare’s writing of Hamlet. Actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal portray Agnes and Shakespeare as they cope with the heartbreaking loss of their young son, Hamnet, in 16th-century England. The film delicately explores themes of grief, love and artistic creation.

While the Oscars ceremony lasts only one evening, the films that dominate the awards conversation often continue to resonate long after the trophies are handed out. For audiences looking to catch up on the year’s most acclaimed cinema, these five nominees offer a compelling mix of powerful storytelling, emotional depth and cinematic spectacle.

The 98th Academy Awards will be broadcast on March 16, 2026, from 4.30 am to 7.30 am IST, bringing together the biggest stars and filmmakers as the industry celebrates the best achievements in global cinema.