Felicity Jones Shines on 2026 Oscars Red Carpet Amidst Historic Nominations
The 2026 Academy Awards red carpet kicked off in spectacular fashion on Sunday, with British actress Felicity Jones among the early arrivals who captivated onlookers with her stunning presence. While not nominated for an award this year, Jones turned heads in a gorgeous yellow satin gown featuring daring side splits, which subtly flashed a hint of sideboob as she posed confidently for photographers. Her glamorous look set a high bar for Hollywood's finest, blending elegance with a touch of daring flair.
Record-Breaking Nominations for Sinners and Star-Studded Contenders
Hosted by Conan O'Brien for the second consecutive year, the 98th Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles celebrates the best films of 2025. The night is dominated by Ryan Coogler's horror flick, Sinners, which has made history with a record-breaking 16 nominations, the most ever for any film at the Oscars. This includes nods for Best Picture and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, who plays twin brothers confronting supernatural evil in 1930s Mississippi.
In the fiercely competitive Best Actor category, Jordan faces off against Timothee Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent. The race is currently a dead heat, with momentum shifting after Jordan's win at the Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, following Chalamet's early dominance at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards.
Other Key Categories and Notable Snubs
Irish star Jessie Buckley is the frontrunner for Best Actress for her role in Chloe Zhao's Hamnet, a reimagined story of William Shakespeare's home life. She competes against Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone. In the Best Supporting Actor category, nominees include Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn for One Battle After Another, Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, Delroy Lindo for Sinners, and Stellan Skarsgard for Sentimental Value, with notable snubs like Paul Mescal and Adam Sandler.
The Best Supporting Actress field features Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, Amy Madigan for Weapons, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another. A significant backlash erupted after Ariana Grande was snubbed for Wicked: For Good, which was completely shut out of nominations despite critical acclaim.
Red Carpet Highlights and Ceremony Details
Amelia Dimoldenberg, star of Chicken Shop Date and host of this year's red carpet, also made a glamorous entrance in a black peplum gown. The ceremony, airing live on ABC and streaming platforms like Hulu, introduces a new award for Best Casting, with nominees including Nina Gold for Hamnet and Francine Maisler for Sinners. Other top-nominated films include One Battle After Another with 13 nods, and Marty Supreme and Frankenstein each with nine nominations.
As the Oscars unfold, the night promises intense competition and memorable moments, from Felicity Jones's show-stopping appearance to the historic achievements of Sinners, all under the seasoned hosting of Conan O'Brien.
