Previewing the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards: A Look at the Top Contenders and Must-Watch Films
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards are set to take place this Sunday at London's Royal Festival Hall, showcasing a lineup of top movie stars. Among the nominees for Best Film is "One Battle After Another," while "Hamnet" is expected to clinch the title for Outstanding British Film. The list of Best Film nominees includes "Hamnet," "Sinners," and more, while the Outstanding British Film category features "28 Years Later," "Steve," and others. "Hamnet" stands out as the only movie nominated in both categories. Dive into the plots, trailers, and streaming availability of each film to get ready for the awards night.
"Hamnet," based on the 2020 novel, portrays the story of Shakespeare, played by Paul Mescal, and his wife Agnes, portrayed by Jessie Buckley, as they navigate love, parenthood, and the loss of their son Hamnet through the lens of the play "Hamlet." Despite its heavy subject matter, the film has been criticized for being dull and self-indulgent.
Josh Safdie's comedy-drama "Marty" offers a unique blend of Forrest Gump and Uncut Gems, with Timothée Chalamet in the lead role as a ping pong champion from the 1950s who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, even if it means sacrificing others along the way.
In Paul Thomas Anderson's black comedy "Bob and Perfidia," Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor play revolutionaries who embark on a series of daring acts to support their cause. The film takes viewers on a wild ride through the Texas-Mexico border, exploring themes of revolution and family.
Stellan Skarsgård stars in the Norwegian drama "The Director's Daughters," a story of family reconciliation and filmmaking. The film follows an estranged father reuniting with his daughters and the challenges they face when casting an American movie star in their latest project.
"Southern Fangs," directed by Ryan Coogler, is a period vampire horror set in the 1930s South, featuring Michael B Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers. The film delves into themes of music appropriation and the supernatural, offering a unique take on the vampire genre.
"Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later" serves as a sequel to the 2002 horror classic "28 Days Later," exploring a post-apocalyptic world where survivors navigate a zombie-infested Britain. Led by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer, the film has garnered critical acclaim as a standout in the horror genre.
Other notable films in the lineup include "The Reunion," "Bridget Jones: The Next Chapter," "Montana," "The Goshawk Keeper," "John Davidson," "The Early Years," "The Biker's Secret," "The Headmaster," and more, each offering a unique story and stellar performances.
Don't miss the 79th British Academy Film Awards airing live from the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday evening, with the ceremony broadcast on BBC One at 7pm. Tune in to see which films and actors take home the prestigious BAFTA trophies and celebrate the best of British and international cinema.