BAFTA 2026 Longlists: One Battle After Another Leads

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards longlists have been announced, setting the stage for a competitive awards season. Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' has taken an early lead, securing a record-breaking 16 nominations.

The film, a political satire focusing on U.S. extremism and polarization, sits at the top of the lineup. It is followed closely by two other strong contenders, 'Hamnet' and 'Sinners', which have each received 14 nominations. These longlists represent the initial phase of voting and highlight the films currently in contention for the prestigious awards.

Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film has firmly established itself as the movie to beat this awards season. 'One Battle After Another' has landed atop the lineup of longlisted titles following the first round of voting for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards.

The film is described as an epic, scathing, and increasingly topical political satire. It explores themes of U.S. extremism and polarization, resonating with current global conversations. Securing 16 longlist nominations is a record-breaking achievement that underscores the film's critical acclaim and industry support.

This strong performance positions the film as a major contender not just for BAFTA, but potentially for other major awards as well. The breadth of its nominations suggests excellence across multiple categories, from writing and directing to acting and technical crafts.

While 'One Battle After Another' leads the pack, it faces stiff competition from two other films that have also demonstrated significant strength in the first round of voting.

'Hamnet' and 'Sinners' have both secured 14 nominations each, placing them firmly in the race. These films represent a diverse range of genres and storytelling styles, contributing to a dynamic and unpredictable awards landscape.

The proximity of their nomination counts to the leader suggests that the competition for the final awards will be intense. The longlists indicate that these three films are currently the ones to watch as the process moves forward.

The recently announced longlists are the result of the first round of voting for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. This initial phase narrows down the field of eligible films to a select group of contenders in various categories.

Being longlisted is a significant achievement and a crucial step toward receiving a nomination. It indicates that a film has garnered substantial support from BAFTA members. The longlists provide an early glimpse into the preferences of the voting body and help shape industry predictions for the rest of the season.

From these longlists, a smaller list of nominees will be selected, who will then compete for the final awards. The process is designed to ensure that the most outstanding films of the year are recognized.

The 2026 BAFTA longlists have set a clear trajectory for the upcoming awards season. 'One Battle After Another' has established itself as a formidable frontrunner with its record 16 nominations, while 'Hamnet' and 'Sinners' have proven to be equally strong contenders with 14 nominations each.

The competition is shaping up to be a battle between a pointed political satire and two other highly acclaimed films. As the process continues, all eyes will be on these titles to see if they can maintain their momentum and secure nominations. The final list of nominees will undoubtedly reflect a year of exceptional filmmaking.