BAFTA’s First Cut: A Deep Dive into the 2026 Longlist Nominees

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has revealed its longlists for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, offering the first meaningful pulse of this year’s awards race. These selections represent the first round of voting and provide insight into which films, performances, and creative achievements are most likely to secure final nominations ahead of the ceremony later this winter.

Leading the field are several standout entries that have not only featured prominently on the longlists but also generated significant awards buzz across critics’ groups and precursor events. One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and Sinners collectively anchor this season’s conversation, each demonstrating strengths that could carry them into multiple nomination categories.

Breakout Leader: One Battle After Another

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another stands out with a record number of longlist mentions, indicating broad support among BAFTA voters. Its presence in major categories such as Best Film and Best Director marks it as a leading favorite to secure multiple final nominations. The film’s momentum has also translated to critics’ awards success earlier in the season, where it earned top honors and reinforced its profile heading into BAFTA voting.

Strong Contender: Sinners

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners also ranks among the most recognized films on the BAFTA longlists, trailing closely behind One Battle After Another in overall mentions. Its blend of compelling storytelling and technical excellence has garnered attention across categories including original screenplay and casting. The film’s strong performance in critics’ circles – including wins for screenplay and ensemble casting – bolsters its case as a favorite to convert longlist status into multiple nominations.

Moreover, Sinners has performed particularly well in regional awards, dominating results from critics associations and sweeping several major prizes including Best Film and Best Director at the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards.

Critical Darling: Hamnet

Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet closes out the trio of films with significant longlist presence. Strong showings in acting and craft fields – particularly for Jessie Buckley’s performance – reinforce its status as a critical favorite. Continued recognition from critics’ groups, especially in lead acting categories, points to a solid chance that Hamnet will advance to final BAFTA nominations in several major fields.

Major Categories and Favorites to Advance Best Film

The longlist for Best Film includes a diverse range of titles, with One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Hamnet leading predictions as likely to secure final nominations. Other notable contenders include Frankenstein and Marty Supreme, both of which have generated awards traction and could push into nomination slots.

Favorites to Advance:

• One Battle After Another

• Sinners

• Hamnet

• Frankenstein

• Marty Supreme

Best Director

In the director field, Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Ryan Coogler (Sinners), and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) are among the strongest contenders. Their films’ critical support and longlist visibility suggest they are well-positioned to make the final shortlist.

Favorites to Advance:

• Paul Thomas Anderson

• Ryan Coogler

• Chloé Zhao

• Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein)

• Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme)

Leading Acting Categories

Strong performances have elevated several actors into predictive territory. Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) are among the names tipped in Best Actor discussions. On the women’s side, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) remains a standout performer, with additional support possible for Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another) and others depending on how voting consolidates.

Favorites to Advance – Best Actor:

• Leonardo DiCaprio

• Michael B. Jordan

• Timothée Chalamet

Favorites to Advance – Best Actress:

• Jessie Buckley

• Chase Infiniti

• Emma Stone

Technical and Craft Fields

Beyond the headline categories, films like Frankenstein, Bugonia, and Marty Supreme have earned longlist presence in fields such as cinematography, editing, and production design. These disciplines often offer opportunities for wider recognition and can help elevate films into broader awards season conversations.

Snubs and Surprises

Even as several frontrunners dominate the longlists, the absence of deeply popular titles from streaming platforms has drawn attention and debate among fans and critics alike. At the same time, a number of smaller or genre films have appeared in technical and screenplay categories, signaling that BAFTA voters remain open to eclectic choices.

What’s Next

With these longlists now public, attention turns to Round Two voting and the announcement of final nominees on January 27, 2026. The full awards ceremony will take place on February 22, 2026, where winners across film and performance categories will be revealed. As the race tightens, One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Hamnet are all positioned as films to watch, each with legitimate shots at moving from longlist to nominee and potentially taking home BAFTA trophies.