A Global Stage: The Oscars' New World View
The Academy's Global Embrace: A Departure from Tradition
In stark contrast to a prevalent 'America First' mentality, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has adopted a thoroughly international perspective. This year's Oscar nominations underscore this commitment, showcasing an unprecedented inclusion of films primarily or entirely in languages other than English. This marks a pivotal moment, highlighting a sustained effort to broaden the Academy's horizons.
Record-Breaking International Representation in Nominations
The 2026 Oscar nominations have shattered previous records for non-English language films, achieving a collective 22 nominations. This remarkable feat, matching highs from 2023 and 2024, saw films like Sentimental Value (nine nominations), The Secret Agent (four nominations), It Was Just an Accident (two nominations), and Sirāt (two nominations), among others, gain significant recognition. These nominations span various categories, reflecting the diverse origins and narratives celebrated by the Academy.
Breaking Barriers: Non-English Performances Recognized
For only the second time in history, non-English language films are represented in every Oscar category. Notably, two films, The Secret Agent and Sentimental Value, have been nominated in the coveted Best Picture category, tying a record set in 2025. Furthermore, a remarkable 20% of acting nominations, an unprecedented four out of twenty, were awarded to performances in non-English films. This includes Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent, and Rentate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, with Skarsgård marking a historic first for a non-English performance in the Best Supporting Actor category.
Diversification of the Academy's Membership and its Impact
This growing international presence in the nominations is a direct result of the Academy's concerted efforts to diversify its membership following the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. Over the past decade, the organization actively recruited more people of color, women, and, significantly, international members. Today, a quarter of the Academy's members are based outside the United States, and their comfort with subtitled films has undeniably contributed to the broader recognition of global cinema.
Rethinking Precursor Awards: A Disconnect from the Oscars
The evolving nature of the Academy's preferences challenges the predictive power of traditional precursor awards. Guild honors, such as the SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards, DGA Awards, and PGA Awards, are primarily determined by U.S.-based members, whose selections often diverge sharply from the Academy's. This year, for instance, non-English films received zero nominations in major guild categories, highlighting a clear disparity between guild and Academy tastes. While some international bodies like the BAFTA Awards and Golden Globes offer different perspectives, their specific voting demographics (e.g., primarily British members for BAFTA, journalists for Globes) mean they don't fully align with the Academy's current composition. This indicates that a reliable predictor for the Oscars is becoming increasingly elusive, as no single precursor group mirrors the Academy's diverse and international demographic accurately.