‘One Battle After Another’, a chilling thriller by none other than the renowned Leonardo DiCaprio, has led the charge in the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards longlist—tying down an astonishing 16 nominations. Set in a polarized and politically charged America, the movie stars none other than Leonardo DiCaprio as a seasoned father who struggles to rescue his kidnapped daughter from the claws of resurfacing enemies in a desperate race against time. The plot integrates adrenaline—charged action episodes in a clever mixture of biting national satire and Emotional depth that has left critics and audiences worldwide simply—in awe.
Top rivals
Hot on its heels, Chloe Zhao’s deeply moving Hamnet—an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel—tied for second place with 14 longlist spots, exploring the heart-wrenching loss of Shakespeare’s son amid Elizabethan family turmoil. Matching that tally is Ryan Coogler’s atmospheric vampire saga Sinners, which plunges viewers into the eerie horrors of Jim Crow-era America, blending supernatural thrills with historical grit. Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme, a stylish biopic chronicling ping-pong prodigy Marty Reisman’s rise, nabbed 13 mentions, riding high off Chalamet’s fresh Critics’ Choice triumph and positioning it as a dark horse in multiple technical and acting races.
The stars of the cast
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio dominates the acting field, but his ensemble shines too: Chase Infiniti scores a Leading Actress longlist berth as his fierce onscreen daughter, while Teyana Taylor dazzles in Supporting Actress. Veterans Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn both land Supporting Actor nods, bringing gravitas to the thriller’s tense dynamics. Elsewhere, Timothée Chalamet vies for Leading Actor—and Jacob Elordi emerges from Guillermo del Toro’s lavish Frankenstein remake with buzzworthy recognition, underscoring the longlist’s blend of established stars and rising talents.
Major omissions
The announcements delivered some brutal snubs, sidelining heavyweights like Dwayne Johnson and George Clooney entirely, while blockbusters such as the musical extravaganza Wicked: For Good and Sydney Sweeney’s poignant biopic Christy were largely overlooked. Daniel Day-Lewis’s long-awaited return in Anemone faltered despite hype, though Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo salvaged Supporting Actress mentions from Wicked. Yorgos Lanthimos’s quirky Bugonia, starring Emma Stone, and del Toro’s Frankenstein each mustered 12 nods, keeping them in contention but highlighting BAFTA voters’ preference for bold, substantive fare.
Awards timeline
The longlist reflects votes from over 6,500 BAFTA members worldwide, with final nominations slated for January 27 and the glitzy ceremony unfolding on February 22 at the Royal Festival Hall in London. One Battle After Another’s unprecedented lead not only spotlights DiCaprio and his synergy with the creative team but also tees up a fiercely competitive race, where technical prowess and narrative innovation could tip the scales.
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