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The 2026 Academy Awards nominations highlight a clear trend: films are increasingly rooted in real places, turning landscapes and cities into narrative drivers rather than simple backdrops. From the American South to rural England and international urban settings, the Best Picture contenders map out a cinematic geography with strong storytelling power.
The 98th Oscars ceremony, scheduled for March 15, 2026, reflects a global vision of cinema, where locations play a key role in shaping mood, identity and audience perception.
Sinners
Set in 1930s Clarksdale, Mississippi, Sinners draws heavily on the cultural heritage of the Deep South and the blues tradition. Despite its narrative setting, the film was largely shot in Louisiana. Areas around New Orleans, Donaldsonville, Braithwaite and St. Bernard Parish were adapted to recreate the Mississippi Delta of the early twentieth century, demonstrating how production locations can successfully double for historical settings.
Hamnet
Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, Hamnet transports viewers to Elizabethan England. The story unfolds around Stratford-upon-Avon, but filming took place mainly in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, where preserved rural landscapes and historic villages provided an authentic visual framework. Studio work in London completed key interior scenes, including theatrical reconstructions.
One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film uses geography as an emotional and narrative tool. The story moves through contemporary American environments, with filming reported in Texas and the El Paso area. These locations reinforce themes of distance, conflict and social tension, making space an active part of the storytelling.
Frankenstein
This new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel blends gothic aesthetics with modern filmmaking. Shooting locations span Europe and North America, selected for their architectural character and atmospheric potential. Historic buildings, industrial sites and constructed sets contribute to a timeless, almost placeless visual identity.
Marty Supreme
A contemporary story set in recognizable urban environments, Marty Supreme relies on real locations to ground its narrative. Filming across the United States and parts of Europe emphasizes realism and immediacy, aligning the film’s themes with its physical settings.
Bugonia, Train Dreams, F1: The Movie, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value
Other Best Picture nominees further expand the geographical scope. Train Dreams focuses on vast North American landscapes. F1: The Movie features real racing circuits and global motorsport cities. The Secret Agent and Sentimental Value lean toward European urban environments, where streets and architecture heighten narrative tension.
Together, the Oscar 2026 nominees show how cinema continues to shape the way audiences perceive places. These films do not simply take place somewhere; they actively transform locations into stories, memories and, increasingly, travel inspirations.
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