Massachusetts
There’s more Massachusetts nominees for Oscars that you might think. See list
Will ‘Sinners’ shock at the Oscars? Our Academy Awards picks
USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt reveals his 2026 Academy Awards predictions, including the best actress, actor and picture categories.
Oscars weekend is officially here.
With a record-breaking 16 nominations for “Sinners,” a whopping 13 nominations for “One Battle After Another” and tight competition in both the best actor and best actress categories, the 98th Academy Awards promises to be intense. Among this year’s highly competitive list of nominees are multiple films with ties to Massachusetts, including directors, writers and costume designers who once called the state home.
Plus, the Oscars’ Massachusetts connections continue outside of the competition aspect of the show, with multiple presenters hailing from the Bay State.
Here are all the nominees and presenters of the 2026 Academy Awards with Massachusetts ties.
2026 Oscars nominees with ties to Massachusetts
Sinners
One of the 16 awards which “Sinners” is nominated for is best costume design, recognizing the work of Springfield native Ruth E. Carter. The Massachusetts-born costume designer has previously won two Academy Awards for “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Carter’s “Sinners” nomination officially makes her the most-nominated Black woman in Oscars history, surpassing the record previously held by Rhode Island native Viola Davis.
Marty Supreme
A24 drama “Marty Supreme” – which is up for nine awards, including best picture – was directed by Boston University alum Josh Safdie. Safdie himself is nominated for three awards, including best director, as well as best original screenplay and best film editing alongside co-writer and co-editor Ronald Bronstein.
Hamnet
The writer and director of “Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao, also went to college in Massachusetts at Mount Holyoke College. This year, Zhao is nominated in two categories: best director and best adapted screenplay. She is recognized as the first woman of color and second woman overall to win in the best director category, which she did for “Nomadland” back in 2021.
Zootopia 2
Harvard alum Jared Bush co-wrote and co-directed Disney’s “Zootopia 2,” which is nominated in the best animated feature film category.
2026 Oscars presenters with ties to Massachusetts
Chris Evans
Along with all the movies representing Massachusetts at the Oscars this year, Sudbury’s very own Chris Evans will present an award. A graduate of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, Evans was first introduced to acting at the Concord Youth Theater.
Conan O’Brien
The entire awards show will be hosted by Conan O’Brien, who was born and raised in Brookline. Best known as the host of many late night shows, the comedian also attended Harvard University, where he served as president of comedy group The Harvard Lampoon.
How to watch the Oscars 2026
This year’s Academy Awards will air live on ABC and the ABC app on Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. The show will be preceded by the official live red carpet show at 6:30 p.m.
The awards ceremony will also be streamed live on Hulu and via FuboTV.
Stream the 2026 Oscars live
Rin Velasco of the USA TODAY Network contributed to this report.