2026 Academy Awards Director Series

Nominee: Paul Thomas Anderson
Picture for Nomination: One Battle After Another
Age: 55
From: United States
Filmography: Licorice Pizza (2021), Phantom Thread (2017), Junun (2015), Inherent Vice (2014), The Master (2012), There Will Be Blood (2007), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Magnolia (1999), Boogie Nights (1997), Hard Eight (1996)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
2022 Best Achievement in Directing Nomination for Licorice Pizza
2018 Best Achievement in Directing Nomination for Phantom Thread
2008 Best Achievement in Directing Nomination for There Will Be Blood

Achievements in Directing:
2026 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for One Battle After Another
2026 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director for One Battle After Another
2026 Golden Globes Best Director for One Battle After Another
2022 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Nomination for Licorice Pizza
2022 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Licorice Pizza
2012 Venice Film Festival Best Director for The Master
2008 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for There Will Be Blood
2008 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for There Will Be Blood
2008 Berlin International Film Festival Best Director for There Will Be Blood
2002 Cannes Film Festival Best Director for Punch-Drunk Love

Nominee: Ryan Coogler
Picture for Nomination: Sinners
Age: 39
From: United States
Filmography: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Black Panther (2018), Creed (2015), Fruitvale Station (2013)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
This is his first nomination in Directing.

Achievements in Directing:
2026 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Nomination for Sinners
2026 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Sinners
2026 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Sinners

Nominee: Josh Safdie
Picture for Nomination: Marty Supreme
Age: 41
From: United States
Filmography: Uncut Gems (2019), Good Time (2017), Heaven Knows What (2014), Lenny Cooke (2013), Buttons (2011), Daddy Longlegs (2009), The Pleasure of Being Robbed (2008)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
This is his first nomination in Directing.

Achievements in Directing:
2026 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Nomination for Marty Supreme
2026 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Marty Supreme

Nominee: Joachim Trier
Picture for Nomination: Sentimental Value
Age: 51
From: Denmark
Filmography: The Worst Person in the World (2021), The Other Munch (2018), Thelma (2017), Louder Than Bombs (2015), Oslo, August 31st (2011), Reprise (2006)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
This is his first nomination in Directing.

Achievements in Directing:
2026 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Sentimental Value
2026 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Sentimental Value

Nominee: Chloé Zhao
Picture for Nomination: Hamnet
Age: 43
From: China
Filmography: Eternals (2021), Nomadland (2020), The Rider (2017), Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
2021 Best Achievement in Directing for Nomadland

Achievements in Directing:
2026 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Nomination for Hamnet
2026 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Hamnet
2026 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Hamnet
2021 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Nomadland
2021 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director for Nomadland
2021 Golden Globes Best Director for Nomadland

Conclusion:
2 March 2026
Who Will Win Likely: c
Who May Be Alternate: Ryan Coogler for Sinners

23 February 2026
Who Will Win Likely: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
Who May Be Alternate: Ryan Coogler for Sinners

9 February 2026
Who Will Win Likely: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
Who May Be Alternate: Ryan Coogler for Sinners

28 January 2026
Who Will Win Likely: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
Who May Be Alternate: Ryan Coogler for Sinners

25 January 2026
Who Will Win Likely: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
Who May Be Alternate: Ryan Coogler for Sinners

Who Should Win: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
Who Got Snubbed: Guillermo del Toro for Frankenstein, Kleber Mendonça Filho for The Secret Agent
Personal Favorite: Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value
Who Wins? Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another

2022 Academy Awards Director Series

Nominee: Paul Thomas Anderson
Picture for Nomination: Licorice Pizza
Age: 51
From: United States
Filmography: Phantom Thread (2017), Junun (2015), Inherent Vice (2014), The Master (2012), There Will Be Blood (2007), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Magnolia (1999), Boogie Nights (1997), Hard Eight (1996)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
2018 Best Achievement in Directing Nomination for Phantom Thread
2008 Best Achievement in Directing Nomination for There Will Be Blood

Achievements in Directing:
2022 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Nomination for Licorice Pizza
2022 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Licorice Pizza
2012 Venice Film Festival Best Director for The Master
2008 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for There Will Be Blood
2008 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for There Will Be Blood
2008 Berlin International Film Festival Best Director for There Will Be Blood
2002 Cannes Film Festival Best Director for Punch-Drunk Love

Nominee: Kenneth Branagh
Picture for Nomination: Belfast
Age: 61
From: North Ireland
Filmography: Artemis Fowl (2020), All Is True (2018), Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Cinderella (2015), Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014), Thor (2011), Sleuth (2007), The Magic Flute (2006), As You Like It (2006), Love's Labour's Lost (2000), Hemlet (1996), In the Bleak Midwinter (1995), Frankenstein (1994), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Peter's Friends (1992), Dead Again (1991), Henry V (1989)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
1990 Best Director Nomination for Henry V

Achievements in Directing:
2022 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Nomination for Belfast
2022 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Belfast
1995 Venice Film Festival Best Director for In the Bleak Midwinter
1990 BAFTA Film Awards Best Direction for Henry V

Nominee: Jane Campion
Picture for Nomination: The Power of the Dog
Age: 67
From: New Zealand
Filmography: Bright Star (2009), In the Cut (2003), Holy Smoke (1999), The Portrait of a Lady (1996), The Piano (1993), An Angel at My Table (1990), Sweetie (1989)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
1994 Best Director Nomination for The Piano

Achievements in Directing:
2022 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for The Power of the Dog
2022 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director for The Power of the Dog
2022 Golden Globes Best Director for The Power of the Dog
2021 Venice Film Festival Best Director for The Power of the Dog
1994 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for The Piano
1994 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for The Piano
1994 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for The Piano

Nominee: Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
Picture for Nomination: Drive My Car
Age: 43
From: Japan
Filmography: Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021), Asako I & II (2018), Happy Hour (2015), Storytellers (2013), Voices from the Waves: Kesennuma (2013), Voices from the Waves: Shinchimachi (2013), Touching the Skin of Eeriness (2013), The Sound of Waves (2012), Intimacies (2012), The Depths (2010), Passion (2008), Solaris (2007)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
This is his first nomination in Directing.

Achievements in Directing:
2022 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Drive My Car

Nominee: Steven Spielberg
Picture for Nomination: West Side Story
Age: 75
From: United States
Filmography: Ready Player One (2018), The Post (2017), BFG (2016), Bridge of Spies (2015), Lincoln (2012), War Horse (2011), The Adventures of Tintin (2011), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), Munich (2005), War of the Worlds (2005), The Terminal (2004), Catch Me If You Can (2002), Minority Report (2002), A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Amistad (1997), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Schindler's List (1993), Jurassic Park (1993), Hook (1991), Always (1989), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Empire of the Sun (1987), The Color Purple (1985), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), 1941 (1979), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Jaws (1975), The Sugarland Express (1974), Firelight (1964)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
2013 Best Achievement in Directing Nomination for Lincoln
2006 Best Achievement in Directing Nomination for Munich
1999 Best Director for Saving Private Ryan
1994 Best Director for Schindler's List
1983 Best Director Nomination for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1982 Best Director Nomination for Raiders of the Lost Ark
1978 Best Director Nomination for Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Achievements in Directing:
2022 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Nomination for West Side Story
2022 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for West Side Story
2018 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for The Post
2016 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Bridge of Spies
2013 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Lincoln
2013 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Lincoln
2006 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Munich
2006 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Munich
2002 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for A.I. Artificial Intelligence
1999 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Saving Private Ryan
1999 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Saving Private Ryan
1999 Golden Globes Best Director for Saving Private Ryan
1998 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Amistad
1998 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Amistad
1994 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Schindler's List
1994 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director for Schindler's List
1994 Golden Globes Best Director for Schindler's List
1988 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Empire of the Sun
1986 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for The Color Purple
1986 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for The Color Purple
1983 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1983 BAFTA Film Awards Best Direction Nomination for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1983 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1982 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Raiders of the Lost Ark
1982 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Raiders of the Lost Ark
1979 BAFTA Film Awards Best Direction Nomination for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1978 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1978 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1976 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Jaws
1976 BAFTA Film Awards Best Direction Nomination for Jaws
1976 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Jaws

Conclusion:
27 March 2021
Who Will Win Likely: Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog
Who May Be Alternate: Kenneth Branagh for Belfast

20 March 2021
Who Will Win Likely: Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog
Who May Be Alternate: Kenneth Branagh for Belfast

14 March 2021
Who Will Win Likely: Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog
Who May Be Alternate: Kenneth Branagh for Belfast

28 February 2021
Who Will Win Likely: Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog
Who May Be Alternate: Kenneth Branagh for Belfast

10 February 2021
Who Will Win Likely: Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog
Who May Be Alternate: Kenneth Branagh for Belfast

Who Should Win: Kenneth Branagh for Belfast
Who Got Snubbed: Denis Villeneuve for Dune, Adam McKay for Don't Look Up
Personal Favorite: Steven Spielberg for West Side Story
Who Wins? Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog

2018 Academy Awards Director Series

Nominee: Paul Thomas Anderson
Picture for Nomination: Phantom Thread
Age: 47
From: United States
Filmography: Junun (2015), Inherent Vice (2014), The Master (2012), There Will Be Blood (2007), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Magnolia (1999), Boogie Nights (1997), Hard Eight (1996)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
2008 Best Achievement in Directing Nomination for There Will Be Blood

Achievements in Directing:
2012 Venice Film Festival Best Director for The Master
2008 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for There Will Be Blood
2008 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for There Will Be Blood
2008 Berlin International Film Festival Best Director for There Will Be Blood
2002 Cannes Film Festival Best Director for Punch-Drunk Love

Nominee: Guillermo del Toro
Picture for Nomination: The Shape of Water
Age: 53
From: Mexico
Filmography: Crimson Peak (2015), Pacific Rim (2013), Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), Pan's Labyrinth (2006), Hellboy (2004), Blade II (2002), The Devil's Backbone (2001), Mimic (1997), Cronos (1993)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
This is his first nomination in Directing.

Achievements in Directing:
2018 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for The Shape of Water
2018 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director for The Shape of Water
2018 Golden Globes Best Director for The Shape of Water

Nominee: Greta Gerwig
Picture for Nomination: Lady Bird
Age: 34
From: United States
Filmography: Nights and Weekends (2008)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
This is her first nomination in Directing.

Achievements in Directing:
2018 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film Nomination for Lady Bird

Nominee: Christopher Nolan
Picture for Nomination: Dunkirk
Age: 47
From: England
Filmography: Interstellar (2014), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Inception (2010), The Dark Knight (2008), The Prestige (2006), Batman Begins (2005), Insomnia (2002), Momento (2000), Following (1998)

Academy Awards History in Directing:
This is his first nomination in Directing.

Achievements in Directing:
2018 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film Nomination for Dunkirk
2018 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Dunkirk
2018 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Dunkirk
2011 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Inception
2011 BAFTA Film Awards Best Director Nomination for Inception
2011 Golden Globes Best Director Nomination for Inception
2009 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for The Dark Knight
2002 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Nomination for Momento

Nominee: Jordan Peele
Picture for Nomination: Get Out
Age: 38
From: United States
Filmography: This is his directorial debut.

Academy Awards History in Directing:
This is his first nomination in Directing.

Achievements in Directing:
2018 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film Nomination for Get Out

Conclusion:
26 February 2018
Who Will Win Likely: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Who May Be Alternate: Jordan Peele for Get Out
13 February 2018
Who Will Win Likely: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Who May Be Alternate: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
25 January 2018
Who Will Win Likely: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Who May Be Alternate: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk

Who Should Win: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Who Got Snubbed: Martin McDonagh for Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri, Luca Guadagnino for Call Me by Your Name
Personal Favorite: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Who Wins? Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water