The photo finish nobody saw coming
This year’s BAFTA nominations turned into a proper cliffhanger: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another grabbed the most BAFTA nods with 14, barely beating Ryan Coogler’s vampire romp Sinners, which landed 13. It’s the kind of near-tie that makes awards season feel like a sporting event — drama, debates, and the occasional popcorn spill.
BAFTAs vs. Oscars — different storylines
Fun twist: at the Oscars Sinners led the pack with a record 16 noms while Anderson’s film had fewer. The two ceremonies are telling slightly different stories this year, which just means more room for arguments in comment sections and on late-night shows.
Who else is in the clubhouse
Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet and Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme are strong contenders with double-digit mentions, while Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein also picked up serious attention. Yorgos Lanthimos and Kirk Jones landed solid support for Bugonia and I Swear, respectively — a real mix of arthouse boldness and crowd-pleasing moments.
Best Film and the British field
The Best Film race narrows down to Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value and Sinners. On the home-front, Outstanding British Film features everything from 28 Years Later to Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and a handful of striking indies — a reminder BAFTA likes to champion local stories alongside international heavyweights.
Fresh faces and first-time noms
BAFTA handed out some shiny first-time nominations: directors like Ryan Coogler and Josh Safdie appear in the director category, and performers including Robert Aramayo, Odessa A’zion, Rose Byrne, Michael B. Jordan and Teyana Taylor got their first BAFTA nods. It’s a legit welcome party for up-and-comers and established stars alike.
The acting races to watch
Leading actress nominees include Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Chase Infiniti, Renate Reinsve and Emma Stone. On the men’s side, Robert Aramayo and Michael B. Jordan go up against Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke and Jesse Plemons. Supporting categories are packed with names like Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal and Sean Penn — heavy hitters and surprise contenders in the same room.
Craft categories — where the backstage stars shine
Some films scored their wins behind the camera: F1, Frankenstein, and others grabbed nods for editing, sound and visuals. Wicked: For Good missed out on acting noms but found a place in costume and makeup categories. Those tech noms often predict the little victories that make awards-night montages so satisfying.
Snubs, shocks, and the awkwardly quiet corners
As with any nomination list, a few expected titles were left off — including a handful of star-packed movies that found themselves totally shut out. Those omissions will fuel think-pieces and hot takes for weeks, which is half the fun of awards season.
When, where, and who’s hosting
The winners will be revealed at the 79th BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday, Feb. 22 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. After a two-year stint by David Tennant, this year’s ceremony will be steered by Alan Cumming — expect charm, cheeky quips, and maybe a musical cameo or two.
The big takeaway
It’s a tight, thrilling year at BAFTA: bold filmmaking and a lively mix of debuts and established auteurs. Whether you’re Team Anderson, Team Coogler, or just here for the red-carpet outfits, the nominations make it clear this awards season will be full of surprises and spirited debate.