Hollywood may roll out its red carpet in Los Angeles, but this year the spotlight stretches all the way back to the Garden State. The 2026 Academy Award nominations have delivered a clear message: New Jersey’s creative footprint on modern cinema is larger, louder, and more influential than ever before. From hometown-born actors leading record-setting productions to films shot across local streets, theaters, and arenas, the state’s presence is woven throughout this year’s most celebrated movies.
For New Jersey film enthusiasts, the nominations represent more than celebrity news. They affirm the state’s growing role as both a birthplace of artistic talent and a destination for major productions seeking authentic locations, flexible infrastructure, and diverse backdrops that rival any film hub in the country.
Among the most headline-grabbing achievements is Michael B. Jordan’s first-ever Best Actor nomination. Raised in Newark, Jordan’s rise from local beginnings to international stardom has been well documented, but this recognition marks a new peak. His dual performance in Sinners captivated critics and audiences alike, showcasing range, intensity, and emotional depth that anchored one of the most nominated films in Academy history. Sharing that film’s awards momentum is Delroy Lindo, a former Englewood resident, whose supporting performance in the same production has earned its own Oscar nod. Together, they represent a powerful New Jersey connection at the heart of cinema’s biggest contender.
Another Garden State success story unfolds through Ethan Hawke, a West Windsor native whose portrayal of lyricist Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon earned Best Actor recognition. The film also celebrates New Jersey talent behind the scenes, with Robert Kaplow, a Metuchen resident and Westfield native, receiving a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Blue Moon’s creative team extends even further into state pride through producer Tom Bernard, a Monmouth County native whose leadership at Sony Pictures Classics has guided the film’s awards campaign. This convergence of local artistry and industry influence reflects a uniquely New Jersey collaboration reaching the highest level of film achievement.
While talent born in the state shines on screen and behind the camera, New Jersey’s physical landscapes have become stars in their own right. Marty Supreme, a dramatic sports feature starring Timothée Chalamet, captured nine Oscar nominations and transformed multiple local landmarks into cinematic arenas. Viewers might recognize familiar corners of East Rutherford, Elizabeth, Paterson, and Chesterfield woven seamlessly into the film’s fictional world. The production’s use of real New Jersey venues illustrates how the state’s architecture and urban texture can double for almost any setting filmmakers imagine.
Song Sung Blue follows a similar path. Though the story unfolds in the Midwest, the movie was filmed extensively throughout more than a dozen New Jersey towns, from suburban neighborhoods to bustling city streets. Kate Hudson’s Best Actress nomination adds star power to a project whose visual identity owes much to locations in Montclair, Jersey City, Denville, and Irvington. For residents, it’s a thrill to see familiar scenery elevated to the silver screen, and for filmmakers, it reinforces the state’s versatility as a production powerhouse.
Even beyond the nominees, the conversation around this year’s Oscars includes a notable absence. Anticipation surrounding the Bruce Springsteen biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere had been intense, especially given its deep New Jersey roots and subject matter tied so closely to the state’s cultural identity. Though it didn’t receive nominations, the buzz surrounding the film highlights how stories born in New Jersey continue to command global attention.
All of this momentum reflects a broader transformation. In recent years, New Jersey has invested heavily in film incentives, studio development, and production infrastructure, creating an environment where directors and producers can work efficiently while capturing distinctive visual character. As a result, more projects are choosing to film locally, more actors and writers from the state are breaking into major roles, and more residents are discovering film careers without ever leaving home.
For audiences eager to follow New Jersey’s expanding role in entertainment, Explore New Jersey’s film and television coverage continues to spotlight productions, industry trends, and local talent shaping the screen.
As the Academy Awards approach, New Jersey’s creative community has plenty to celebrate. This year’s nominations are not a coincidence; they are the result of talent nurtured in local schools and theaters, stories inspired by hometown experiences, and production teams discovering the cinematic potential of the Garden State. When the envelopes open on Oscar night, New Jersey won’t just be watching — it will be represented at the very heart of Hollywood’s biggest stage.
