Courtesy of Warner Bros.
I’ve been around since the 90s. I know all too well the history (or lack thereof) of horror at the Academy Awards. Year after year, the genre gets passed over for “prestige” projects that no one remembers one year later. Lately, though, there seems to have been a slight shift, as the powers that be recognize that horror is, in fact, quite popular and deserving of recognition. The Academy just released the Oscars Shortlist for the 2026 Academy Awards, and it certainly seems to reflect that.
By this point, it should come as no surprise that both Guillermo del Toro’sFrankenstein and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners are contenders for various awards. Each is nominated in at least six categories (eight for Sinners). What is surprising, though, is my girl, The Ugly Stepsister, sneaking into the noms. More people need to see Emilie Blichfeldt’s twisted take on Cinderella. Hopefully, the nomination encourages just that.
Check out the complete list of horror films represented on the Oscars Shortlist below. Actors are not included in the shortlist roundup, so don’t worry too much about Weapons‘ secret weapon Amy Madigan just yet.
Bugonia
- Cinematography – Robbie Ryan
- Original Score – Jerskin Fendrix
Frankenstein
- Casting – Robin D. Cook
- Cinematography – Dan Laustsen
- Makeup and Hair Styling
- Original Score – Alexandre Desplat
- Sound
- Visual Effects
Jurassic World Rebirth
KPop Demon Hunters
- Original Song – “Golden” by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick
Sinners
- Casting – Francine Maisler
- Cinematography – Autumn Durald Arkapaw
- Makeup and Hair Styling
- Original Score – Ludwig Göransson
- Original Song – “I Lied To You” by Ludwig Göransson and Raphael Saadiq
- Original Song – “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” by Miles Caton, Ludwig Göransson and Alice Smith
- Sound
- Visual Effects
The Ugly Stepsister
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
- Original Score – Nathan Johnson
Weapons
- Casting – Allison Jones
What do we think? Anything not listed here that you believe deserves a nod? Think Frankenstein and Sinners should have earned more? Let us know in the comments below!
And don’t miss the 98th Academy Awards when the ceremony airs on ABC March 15th, 2026. Stay tuned at Dread for once we have the final nominations, set to be announced by late January.
Categorized: News
