Oscars 2026: Latinos Made History and Stopped Asking for Permission with Historic and Varied Nominations

With historic nominations in terms of novelty, quantity, and geography, from Mexico to Argentina, the 2026 Oscar nominations demonstrated the end of the era in which Latinos appeared at the Oscars as footnotes, a nomination here, an isolated victory there.

This year that pattern was broken. The Academy Award nominations not only represented a string of individual records, but also confirmed something the industry had long avoided acknowledging: the Latino presence in the Academy is no longer exceptional, it's constant.

This year, the Oscar awards transcended borders, genres, and categories: acting, producing, animation, international cinema, and technical design. It's not a story of just one country or one name, but of a generation finally occupying the space it has always deserved.

Mexico makes history

One of the most visible faces of this transformation is Guillermo del Toro. With Frankenstein , the Mexican filmmaker solidified his position as the most nominated Latin American producer in Oscar history. Although he was left out of the directing category this time, his presence reaffirms that he no longer simply enters the system; he sustains it. Del Toro has moved beyond the exceptional role to become a fundamental force.

The Mexican filmmaker has a total of seven individual nominations, while his films, including Frankenstein, have a total of 25.

Colombia, Puerto Rico and Brazil leave their mark

The continued presence of Latinos at the Oscars is also reflected in Benicio del Toro, who has earned another nomination and solidified his position as the most recognized Latino actor in the supporting actor category. From his Oscar for Traffic to his nomination for 21 Grams , his career has been one of the most consistent within the Academy.

Brazil was at the center of one of the most talked-about moments of the season. Wagner Moura made history by becoming the first Brazilian nominated for Best Actor, for his work in The Secret Agent, and only the sixth Latin American to achieve this feat. His nomination adds to the legacy of Fernanda Montenegro and Fernanda Torres, expanding a presence that for decades was minimal. The Brazilian impact is further enhanced by the recognition of director Kleber Mendonça Filho and cinematographer Adolpho Veloso, nominated this year for Train Dreams .

On the other hand, Colombian producer Juan Arredondo, based in France, was nominated for Little Amélie in the Best Short Documentary category.

The Latinas nominated for Oscars in 2026

In animation, the Latin American advance was also evident. Mexican-American Yvett Merino, the first Latina nominated in this category (for Encanto) , now has her second nomination thanks to Zootopia 2. The film not only dominated awards season, but also grossed $1.7 billion globally, becoming the highest-grossing animated film in Hollywood history.

But one of the most significant milestones occurred far from the spotlight. Costume designer Florencia Martín, the daughter of Argentinians, made history by winning the Oscar for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She was the first Latina to triumph in this category, opening a door that for decades had remained closed to Latina creatives in technical fields.

Viewed as a whole, the 2026 season is not an anomaly. It's the confirmation of a trend. Latinos no longer appear at the Oscars as occasional guests; they appear as recurring protagonists. And this time, it doesn't seem like a passing fad, but rather the beginning of a new normal.