The Academy Has Revealed the Shortlist for the 2026 Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled the shortlist for the Makeup and Hairstyling category for the 98th Academy Awards, highlighting a year defined by transformative prosthetics and meticulous period detail. From the gritty battlefields of historical epics to the fantastical world of Oz, these ten films represent the pinnacle of artistry in character creation. The branch members have selected a diverse range of contenders that showcase both subtle, realistic aging effects and elaborate creature designs. As the competition heats up, these shortlisted teams will present their work in the hopes of securing an official nomination.

‘The Alto Knights’ (2025)

Director Barry Levinson reunites with Robert De Niro for this gangster drama, which presents a unique challenge for the makeup department as De Niro plays two distinct characters. The team was tasked with creating differentiating looks for rival mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, utilizing subtle prosthetics and hair work to establish their individual identities. Makeup artists had to maintain continuity while managing the aging process of the characters across different decades of the 20th century. The film’s reliance on practical makeup over digital de-aging for many scenes grounds the performances in a gritty reality.

‘Frankenstein’ (2025)

Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of the Mary Shelley classic was always expected to be a heavyweight in this category given the director’s affinity for practical effects. The makeup team, likely led by industry veterans familiar with del Toro’s creature-heavy aesthetic, was tasked with reimagining the iconic monster with a fresh, visceral texture. Beyond the creature itself, the film features extensive period styling to capture the gothic atmosphere of the 19th century. The intricate scarring and stitching work on the creature’s prosthetics serve as a central visual storytelling element, reflecting the film’s themes of patchwork existence.

‘Kokuho’ (2025)

Directed by Lee Sang-il, this film delves into the traditional world of Kabuki theatre, a setting that inherently demands mastery of makeup application. The makeup artists were required to execute the flawless, heavy white oshiroi base and dramatic linework capable of conveying complex emotion on stage. Balancing the theatrical stage makeup with the naturalistic look of the actors in their off-stage lives provided a dual challenge for the department. The intricate wig work, essential to Kabuki performance, showcases the hairstyling team’s dedication to historical and cultural accuracy.

‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)

Set in the vibrant era of 1950s ping pong culture, this Josh Safdie film starring Timothée Chalamet relies heavily on period-accurate styling to build its eccentric world. The hair and makeup department transformed the cast with period-specific coiffures, from slicked-back styles to rigid structural cuts that define the decade. Chalamet’s transformation into the titular character involved specific character grooming to reflect the flashy and intense persona of a table tennis champion. The team’s attention to the sweat and sheen of high-stakes sports matches adds a layer of visceral realism to the stylized aesthetic.

‘Nuremberg’ (2025)

James Vanderbilt’s historical drama rests on the believability of its ensemble cast portraying recognizable historical figures during the aftermath of World War II. Russell Crowe’s transformation into Hermann Göring required significant prosthetic work to alter his facial structure and body mass to match the infamous defendant. The hair department faced the task of recreating the severe military cuts and period fashions of 1945 Germany with documentary-level precision. This type of invisible, likeness-driven makeup is a perennial favorite of the Academy for its ability to completely immerse the audience in history.

‘One Battle after Another’ (2025)

War epics are a staple of the Makeup and Hairstyling category, and this film is cited for its grueling and realistic depiction of combat. The makeup team was responsible for maintaining the continuity of mud, blood, and evolving wounds across a massive cast of soldiers. Creating the look of exhaustion and physical deterioration required layers of dirt application and prosthetic injury effects that could withstand the rigors of filming action sequences. The authenticity of the grime and gore is essential to the film’s immersive quality, selling the harrowing nature of prolonged warfare.

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller set in the Jim Crow South introduces a unique vampire mythology that demanded a distinct visual language from the makeup team. The artists balanced period-appropriate styling for the 1930s setting with the terrifying, creature-feature requirements of the film’s vampiric antagonists. Prosthetics were used to create subtle but unsettling distortions in the infected characters, differentiating them from traditional movie monsters. The hairstyling team also played a crucial role in grounding the characters in the specific cultural and historical texture of the era before the horror elements take over.

‘The Smashing Machine’ (2025)

Dwayne Johnson undergoes a complete physical transformation to play MMA legend Mark Kerr, shedding his recognizable movie star persona. The makeup department utilized facial prosthetics to mimic the swelling, scar tissue, and “cauliflower ear” associated with a career in professional fighting. Benny Safdie’s direction emphasizes the brutality of the sport, requiring the makeup team to execute realistic, progressive injury effects that change throughout the film. The hairstyling work further distances Johnson from his usual clean-cut image, completing a metamorphosis that has been praised as one of the most drastic of the year.

‘The Ugly Stepsister’ (2025)

This revisionist take on the classic fairytale places the focus on the “villains,” allowing the makeup and hair teams to push boundaries with character design. The title implies a focus on physical appearance, where the makeup department likely utilized prosthetics to exaggerate features or create a caricatured aesthetic that fits the film’s tone. Elaborate wigs and fantastical hair creations help build the film’s storybook world while distinguishing the stepsisters from the traditional beauty norms of the genre. The work showcases how makeup can define character archetypes and subvert audience expectations in a fantasy setting.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)

The second chapter of the Wicked saga continues the extensive world-building established in the first film, with the makeup team expanding on the looks of Oz. Cynthia Erivo’s signature green skin as Elphaba remains a technical feat of color consistency and endurance, while the creature makeup for the Flying Monkeys and other Ozians requires heavy prosthetics. The hairstyling department manages a vast array of whimsical, architectural wigs that define the citizens of the Emerald City. As the story turns darker, the makeup reflects the characters’ evolution, blending fantasy glamour with the weariness of the brewing conflict.

Tell us which of these transformations you think deserves to win the Oscar in the comments.