The film 'Sinners,' celebrating blues music and Black culture during the Segregation-era U.S. South, has received a record-breaking 16 Academy Award nominations. As a frontrunner for the Oscars, 'Sinners' faces strong competition from other contenders.

Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” led all films with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday, setting a record for the most in Oscar history.

Along with best picture, Coogler was nominated for best director and best screenplay, and double-duty star Michael B. Jordan – who plays a pair of twins – was rewarded with his first Oscar nomination,...