Tracking every 2026 Oscar nominations Disney and Universal hopeful, from Zootopia 2 to the technical marvels of the latest 20th Century Studios films.
As the autumn leaves begin to fall, so too does the curtain rise on Hollywood’s most prestigious season: the march towards the Academy Awards. For 2026, the buzz is already building around two cinematic giants, Disney and Universal, as they unveil their contenders for the 98th Academy Awards. From groundbreaking animation to breathtaking epics, both studios are poised to make significant impacts across various categories. However, for 2026, they both get upstaged!
Disney, with its expansive roster of studios including Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, and 20th Century Studios, is bringing a diverse slate to the table. A major focal point for those tracking the 2026 Oscar nominations Disney is undoubtedly Avatar: Fire and Ash. Following in the monumental footsteps of its predecessors, this latest installment is expected to be a dominant force in technical categories. With director James Cameron’s relentless pursuit of cinematic innovation, nominations for Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound are almost a certainty. The immersive world of Pandora continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible on screen.
2026 Oscar Nominations Disney: Zootopia 2
Beyond the live-action spectacle, Disney’s animated offerings are also generating excitement. Zootopia 2 is a strong contender for the 2026 Oscar nominations Disney hopefuls in the Best Animated Feature category. The original was a critical and commercial darling, and a sequel with an equally compelling narrative and stunning animation could easily capture the hearts of Academy voters once more. Similarly, Pixar’s Elio promises to deliver the emotional depth and imaginative concepts that often resonate within this category.
Wicked: For Good
On the Universal Pictures front, the highly anticipated musical Wicked: For Good is stealing much of the pre-nomination spotlight. Early whispers suggested strong potential for nominations in Best Production Design and Best Costume Design, given the musical’s iconic aesthetic. Furthermore, Ariana Grande’s performance as Glinda could position her as a dark horse for a Best Supporting Actress nomination, a testament to her commanding screen presence.
This awards season promises to be a fascinating study of cinematic achievement. Both Disney and Universal are showcasing the breadth of their creative output, from the visually stunning landscapes of Pandora to the dazzling Emerald City of Oz. As we track the 2026 Oscar nominations, it’s clear that audiences and critics alike have much to look forward to from these industry leaders. The race for gold is on, and the journey promises cinematic excellence.
Sinners Breaks Records
While theme park fans are interested in the Disney and Universal news, the Warner Bros. movie Sinners stood above the rest. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has officially rewritten Hollywood history. With the announcement of the 98th Academy Award nominations, the “blues-steeped vampire epic” secured a staggering 16 nominations, the most ever received by a single film in the history of the Oscars. This monumental achievement shatters the long-standing record of 14 nominations previously shared by All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997), and La La Land (2016).
The film’s success is a landmark moment for genre cinema, proving that horror and supernatural thrillers can command the highest level of critical respect. Michael B. Jordan earned his first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his dual-role performance as twins Smoke and Stack. Coogler himself is nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, cementing his status as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. Supporting nods also went to Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku, while the film is expected to dominate technical categories like Cinematography and Sound.
While Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another follows closely with 13 nominations, the sheer volume of recognition for Sinners, including a nod in the Academy’s inaugural Casting category, makes it the undeniable story of the season. As we look toward the ceremony on March 15, the world will be watching to see if this record-breaking nomination haul translates into a historic night of wins
What About 2026 Oscar Nominations Disney and Universal?
The 2026 Oscar nominations have officially arrived, and the results have left some moviegoers and industry experts alike stunned. While Disney has solidified its place in the technical and animated categories, Universal Pictures faced a shocking “Wicked” outcome that few saw coming.
2026 Oscar Nominations Disney: Avatar and Animation
Disney continues to prove its technical prowess through 20th Century Studios. Avatar: Fire and Ash has secured its place as a frontrunner in Best Visual Effects and Best Costume Design, proving that James Cameron’s vision of Pandora remains an Academy favorite.
In the world of animation, Disney and Pixar are standing tall with two major nods. Both Elio and Zootopia2 have been nominated for Best Animated Feature. While Zootopia 2 shattered box office records, Elio has captured the hearts of voters with its imaginative story, setting up a “House of Mouse” showdown on Oscar night.
Disney+ also earned a nomination thanks to Retirement Plan, which was recognized in the Best Animated Short Film category. The short is currently streaming on Disney+ in the UK and Europe.
Universal’s Mixed Results: Jurassic and the Wicked Snub
Universal isn’t going home empty-handed, as Jurassic World Rebirth snagged a nomination for Best Visual Effects, keeping the franchise’s legacy of technical excellence alive.
However, the morning’s headline is the total shutout of Wicked: For Good (2025). Despite the first film’s massive success and 10 nominations in 2025, the sequel received none in 2026. The film was completely passed over in every category, including acting, music, and technical awards like Costume Design and Production Design, which the first part actually won.
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