Film industry analysts in Dallas said Thursday that the vampire movie Sinners is emerging as a frontrunner for the upcoming Academy Awards and could make Oscar history with a record-setting number of nominations.
Awards trackers noted that no single film has earned more than 14 Oscar nominations since the Academy Awards began in 1929. Only three movies — All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land — have ever reached that mark.
Analysts said Sinners is gaining momentum across major categories, including best picture, best director, and several acting races. Strong performances in technical fields have also positioned the film as a widespread contender.
Industry projections pointed to consistent success in early awards races, strong box-office performance, and favorable critical reception. Trade publications reported that the film appeared on multiple year-end critics’ lists and received recognition from key guild organizations that often align with Oscar nominations.
Awards experts said potential nominations could include cinematography, production design, costume design, editing, sound, visual effects, and original score. Recognition for original screenplay and performances from both lead and supporting actors is also considered likely.
The Academy has not offered any early indication of which films may dominate the nominations. The official list will be announced at the organization’s headquarters in Beverly Hills on a date set in its awards calendar.
Oscar voting involves thousands of film professionals across multiple branches, with the actors branch representing the largest voting group. Analysts said broad support across several branches will be critical if Sinners is to surpass the current nomination record.
Recent Oscar races have shown growing acceptance of genre films, particularly in technical categories and select major races. Observers said the performance of Sinners could reflect how the Academy’s expanded and more diverse membership responds to horror and fantasy storytelling.
If the film reaches 15 or more nominations, analysts said it would establish a new benchmark in Academy Awards history. Awards watchers are expected to closely track the final tally and compare it with past record-holders once nominations are announced