BEST ACTRESS

Celebrating Masterful Performances in Leading Roles
The Pinnacle of Acting Achievement in 2026 Cinema

2026 PERFORMANCE NOMINEES

A Year of Acting Excellence

The 2026 Best Actress category represents the highest achievement in acting, featuring five extraordinary performers who have delivered career-defining work. From historical drama to contemporary character studies, from musical performance to dark comedy, these actresses demonstrate the full range and power of their craft. Each nomination recognizes not just individual brilliance but the ability to anchor entire films with performances of depth, authenticity, and transformative power.

LEADING PERFORMANCE
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Jessie Buckley

JESSIE BUCKLEY

0 Oscars
1 Nominations
15 Major Roles
2026 Oscar-Nominated Performance

"HAMNET"

as Agnes (Anne Hathaway)
Jessie Buckley earns her first Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Agnes (Anne Hathaway) in Chloé Zhao's historical drama Hamnet. Based on Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed novel, the film explores William Shakespeare and his wife navigating the devastating loss of their 11-year-old son in 16th-century England.
"Buckley delivers a performance of extraordinary emotional depth and historical authenticity, balancing period detail with universal human experience."
The Irish actress brings remarkable nuance to the role of Shakespeare's wife, capturing both the specific historical context of Elizabethan England and the timeless experience of parental grief. At 36, Buckley demonstrates masterful control of her craft, creating a character who feels simultaneously of her time and profoundly relatable to modern audiences. Her performance anchors the film's exploration of grief, creativity, and resilience.

Performance Highlights

Masterful historical authenticity in mannerisms and speech
Nuanced portrayal of grief and maternal strength
Exceptional chemistry with ensemble cast
Physical transformation for period authenticity

Notable Filmography

The Lost Daughter
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Wild Rose
Wild Rose (2018)
I'm Thinking of Ending Things
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
First Oscar Nomination • Historical Drama
CHARACTER STUDY
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Rose Byrne

ROSE BYRNE

0 Oscars
1 Nominations
25 Years Career
2026 Oscar-Nominated Performance

"IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU"

as Mother of Chronically Ill Daughter
Rose Byrne receives her first Oscar nomination for her powerful work in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, a character-driven drama that explores the complexities of caregiving and maternal resilience. Byrne portrays a mother navigating the overwhelming challenges of caring for her chronically ill daughter while maintaining her own identity and relationships.
"Byrne's performance is a masterclass in subtlety and emotional truth, portraying exhaustion, devotion, and resilience without resorting to melodrama."
After decades of acclaimed work in both comedy and drama, the Australian actress delivers what critics are calling her career-best performance. At 46, Byrne demonstrates remarkable range, stripping away her comedic persona to reveal a raw, uncompromising portrait of maternal love tested by extraordinary circumstances. Her performance captures the quiet heroism of everyday caregiving with honesty and depth.

Performance Highlights

Authentic portrayal of caregiver psychology and resilience
Nuanced physical transformation reflecting emotional strain
Masterful control of emotional expression and restraint
Chemistry with young co-star creates believable family dynamic

Career Highlights

Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids (2011)
Spy
Spy (2015)
Damages
Damages (2007-2012)
First Oscar Nomination • Dramatic Achievement
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
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Kate Hudson

KATE HUDSON

0 Oscars
1 Nominations
25 Years Career
2026 Oscar-Nominated Performance

"SONG SUNG BLUE"

as Neil Diamond Tribute Singer
Kate Hudson earns her first Oscar nomination since her breakthrough role in Almost Famous for her performance in the musical drama Song Sung Blue. The film follows a married couple who pursue a second life performing together in a Neil Diamond tribute band, exploring themes of artistic rediscovery, partnership, and the transformative power of music.
"Hudson delivers a performance of infectious energy and authentic musicality, combining strong vocal work with nuanced character development."
At 46, Hudson returns to her musical roots with surprising vocal prowess, performing Neil Diamond classics while portraying a woman finding new purpose through performance and partnership. Her work demonstrates both technical skill as a musical performer and deep emotional intelligence in creating a character navigating middle-aged rediscovery. Critics praise her ability to balance musical numbers with intimate character moments.

Performance Highlights

Strong vocal performances of classic Neil Diamond songs
Authentic portrayal of artistic rediscovery in middle age
Exceptional chemistry with co-star in partnership dynamics
Physical commitment to musical performance authenticity

Career Highlights

Almost Famous
Almost Famous (2000)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
How to Lose a Guy... (2003)
Fool's Gold
Fool's Gold (2008)
Musical Performance • First Nomination in 25 Years
INTERNATIONAL DRAMA
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Renate Reinsve

RENATE REINSVE

0 Oscars
1 Nominations
10 Years Career
2026 Oscar-Nominated Performance

"SENTIMENTAL VALUE"

as Woman Confronting Family Past
Renate Reinsve earns her first Oscar nomination for her work in Joachim Trier's family drama Sentimental Value, a Cannes Grand Prix winner that explores complex family dynamics, identity, and reconciliation. The Norwegian actress portrays a woman confronting unresolved issues with her estranged father and sisters, revealing deep emotional truths about family bonds.
"Reinsve delivers a performance of remarkable intelligence and emotional transparency, navigating family dynamics with subtlety and psychological depth."
Following her international breakthrough in The Worst Person in the World, Reinsve demonstrates her mastery of complex character work. At 37, she anchors the film's exploration of family secrets and reconciliation with a performance that balances curiosity, pain, and cautious hope. Her work represents the best of Scandinavian acting tradition—restrained, intelligent, and emotionally precise.

Performance Highlights

Masterful portrayal of complex family dynamics and psychology
Nuanced exploration of identity and familial reconciliation
Authentic Scandinavian performance style with emotional depth
Chemistry with ensemble cast creates believable family tension

International Acclaim

The Worst Person in the World
The Worst Person... (2021)
Oslo, August 31st
Oslo, August 31st (2011)
Welcome to Norway
Welcome to Norway (2016)
International Star • First Oscar Nomination
DARK COMEDY
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Emma Stone

EMMA STONE

1 Oscar Win
4 Nominations
20 Years Career
2026 Oscar-Nominated Performance

"BUGONIA"

as Kidnapped CEO
Emma Stone earns her fourth Oscar nomination for her work in the dark comedy Bugonia, a conspiracy-tinged film that blends social satire with thriller elements. Stone portrays a powerful CEO kidnapped by two obsession-driven young men who believe her to be an alien threat, navigating the film's complex tonal shifts with precision and intelligence.
"Stone delivers a performance of sharp comedic brilliance and surprising depth, creating a character who is both terrifying corporate leader and vulnerable victim."
This nomination marks Stone's continued evolution as one of her generation's most versatile actresses. At 37, she demonstrates masterful control of tone, navigating between corporate satire, conspiracy thriller, and dark comedy with seamless precision. Her performance showcases both her impeccable comedic timing and her ability to create complex, multidimensional characters in genre-bending material.

Performance Highlights

Masterful navigation of multiple genres and tonal shifts
Sharp, witty dialogue delivery with perfect comedic timing
Physical comedy skills in high-stakes thriller sequences
Complex character transformation throughout kidnapping ordeal

Award-Winning Career

La La Land
La La Land (2016)
Poor Things
Poor Things (2023)
The Favourite
The Favourite (2018)
Oscar Winner • Fourth Nomination • Comedic Mastery

The Pinnacle of Acting Achievement

The 2026 Best Actress category showcases the extraordinary range and depth of contemporary acting. From historical authenticity to modern psychological complexity, from musical performance to genre-defying character work, these five performers demonstrate why they represent the highest achievement in their craft. Each nomination recognizes not just individual talent but the ability to create characters of such depth and authenticity that they become the emotional and narrative anchors of their films. In a year of exceptional cinema, these actresses stand as exemplars of what acting can achieve at its very best.

Who Will Take Home the Oscar?