The film Hamnet, starring Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, is expected to secure multiple nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the movie has already earned six Golden Globes nods, signaling strong Oscar potential. Other Irish productions and talents are also in contention across various categories.
The upcoming 2026 Oscars hold promise for Ireland, particularly through the biographical drama Hamnet. Set for release in Irish cinemas on 9 January, the film features Jessie Buckley as Agnes Hathaway and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare. It has generated significant buzz, with six Golden Globes nominations announced earlier this month, including Best Female Actor for Buckley and Best Supporting Actor for Mescal. The Golden Globes ceremony on 11 January could provide early indicators of Hollywood sentiment toward these performances.
Oscar nomination ballots open later that month, with announcements on 22 January. Buckley is tipped for a Best Actress nod, while Mescal eyes Best Supporting Actor. Hamnet is also likely to compete in Best Picture, directing, and screenplay categories, the latter co-written by Derry-born author Maggie O’Farrell and Zhao.
Beyond Hamnet, Ireland's prospects extend to shorts and technical fields. John Kelly’s Retirement Plan, narrated by Domhnall Gleeson, and Cartoon Saloon’s Éiru are shortlisted for Best Animated Short. Retirement Plan has garnered 59,000 YouTube views and positive online feedback. Bugonia, produced by Ireland’s Element Pictures and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, may vie for Best Adapted Screenplay. In cinematography, Irish talents Robbie Ryan (for Bugonia) and Seamus McGarvey (for Die My Love) are shortlisted, both with prior Oscar experience.
Industry predictions bolster these hopes. Variety forecasts 10 nominations for Hamnet, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor, plus a nod for Andrew Scott in Best Supporting Actor for Blue Moon. AwardsWatch sees Buckley in Best Actress and both Mescal and Scott in Supporting Actor. The Hollywood Reporter ranks Buckley as the top Best Actress contender and Mescal third in Supporting Actor, while labeling Scott, Kerry Condon (for Train Dreams in Supporting Actress), and Enda Walsh (co-writer of Die My Love) as long shots.
Academy voting begins on 12 January, leaving time for further momentum. As one source notes, 'every year, the Oscars nominations include a few surprises,' suggesting Ireland's involvement could exceed expectations.
