BAFTA Awards 2026 Longlists Revealed as ‘One Battle After Another’ Dominates the Field

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has unveiled its longlists for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, setting the tone for one of the most competitive awards seasons in recent years. Leading the pack is One Battle After Another, which earned a record-breaking 16 longlist mentions across major categories, including Best Film, Director, and multiple acting races.

A Record-Setting Leader

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another surpassed the previous longlist record of 15 mentions, a benchmark shared by films such as Barbie and Oppenheimer. The epic drama secured acting longlist spots for Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Chase Infiniti, and Teyana Taylor, solidifying its status as the early BAFTA frontrunner.

Close Contenders: ‘Hamnet’ and ‘Sinners’

Close behind are Hamnet and Sinners, each appearing 14 times on the longlists. Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, received recognition in Best Film, acting categories, and technical fields, with Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal among its acting contenders. Sinners, helmed by Ryan Coogler, continues its strong awards momentum following box office success. The film’s presence across acting, directing, and craft categories underscores its broad industry support.

Strong Showings Across the Board

Other notable titles advancing include Marty Supreme with 13 mentions, and Frankenstein and Bugonia, each earning 12 spots. All five films advanced in the highly competitive Best Film category. Meanwhile, Wicked: For Good secured eight mentions, including acting nods for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, despite missing out on Best Film consideration.

Director Category Highlights Gender Parity

The Best Director longlist reflects BAFTA’s continued emphasis on gender balance. Five of the ten slots went to women filmmakers, including Chloé Zhao, Kathryn Bigelow, Lynne Ramsay, Hikari, and Kaouther Ben Hania. Notably absent was Guillermo del Toro, marking one of the most talked-about omissions.

Acting Races and Notable Snubs

In the acting categories, familiar awards-season names such as Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan, Emma Stone, and Jennifer Lawrence advanced. Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård and his son Alexander Skarsgård both landed longlist spots in supporting categories, a rare family crossover. However, high-profile omissions included George Clooney and Wagner Moura, fueling debate ahead of final nominations.

What Happens Next

Voting to determine the official nominations runs from January 9 to January 20, with the final BAFTA Film Award nominations set to be announced on January 27. The ceremony will take place in London on February 22, with Alan Cumming hosting for the first time. As awards momentum builds, the BAFTA longlists confirm that One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and Sinners are firmly positioned at the center of the 2026 film awards conversation.