The 98th Academy Awards: Celebrations and Surprising Oversights
The 98th Academy Awards delivered its share of historic moments and genuine surprises, yet it also highlighted a significant trend: numerous exceptional films failed to capture the attention of Oscar voters. While movies like 'Sinners', 'One Battle After Another', and 'Hamnet' dominated the headlines with their nominations, a whole lineup of fantastic, much-loved productions was flat-out ignored this year.
From bold romances and political thrillers to intimate dramas, these films sparked conversations and captivated audiences globally. Despite their impact, none secured a spot on the nominations list, leaving cinephiles worldwide discussing the snubs with justified disappointment.
Oscar's Favorites in 2026: The Films That Made the Cut
Before delving into the overlooked gems, it's essential to acknowledge the movies the Academy celebrated this year:
- 'Sinners': A wild, bluesy vampire film that smashed records with an unprecedented 16 nominations.
- 'One Battle After Another': A heavy-hitting war drama that cleaned up in major categories.
- 'Sentimental Value': An international standout receiving nods across various categories.
- 'Frankenstein': Guillermo del Toro's fresh, sweeping take on a classic, earning nominations for both technical and creative work.
- 'Hamnet': A rich, emotional period piece exploring Shakespeare's legacy.
These selections showcased artistry, courage, and storytelling prowess. However, as with every Oscars season, there were notable misses that deserve recognition.
2026's Best Movies That Oscar Totally Missed
Here is a closer look at some of the most beloved and surprisingly ignored films of the year:
'Materialists': Directed by Celine Song, this clever romantic comedy-drama set in New York stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal. It follows a successful matchmaker entangled between her wealthy new client and her struggling ex. The film is sharp, funny, and adeptly critiques societal obsessions with money and status. Despite strong box office numbers and critical acclaim, the Oscars overlooked it entirely, much to the dismay of fans and critics.
'Die My Love': Lynne Ramsay's dark and daring psychological drama features Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, LaKeith Stanfield, and Sissy Spacek. The story centers on a young mother in rural Montana battling postpartum psychosis, offering a raw, unsettling, and beautifully shot narrative. Lawrence's performance generated significant buzz at festivals, yet the Academy left it unrecognized.
'The Testament of Ann Lee': Amanda Seyfried shines as Ann Lee, the real founder of the Shakers, in this ambitious musical drama from Mona Fastvold. Blending music, history, and a powerful exploration of faith and sacrifice, the film earned Seyfried awards elsewhere. Its omission from the Oscars, given its scope and critical love, remains baffling.
'Eddington': Ari Aster diverged from horror with this political satire-meets-neo-Western, set in a fictional New Mexico town during the pandemic. Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal portray rival leaders whose feud spirals into a dark, humorous reflection of modern politics. The film's bite, style, and thematic depth were nonetheless passed over by the Academy.
'Hedda': A reimagining of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler in 1950s England, this film delivers tense performances and tight psychological drama. It resonated with both theater buffs and film fans but failed to secure a single Oscar nod.
'Roofman': Starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, this gritty true story depicts an Army veteran turning to crime to survive. Its raw, emotional narrative struck a chord with many viewers, yet it did not make the Academy's cut.
These are just the beginning. Other notable films left out include '28 Years Later', 'Black Bag', 'Lurker', 'Warfare', 'One of Them Days', 'Nouvelle Vague', 'Sorry Baby', and 'Superman'. In a year packed with cinematic excellence, it is remarkable how many gems the Oscars either missed or chose to ignore.
The conversation around these snubs underscores the subjective nature of awards and the diverse tastes of global audiences. While the Academy honored certain achievements, these overlooked films continue to resonate, proving that artistic merit often extends beyond accolades.
