2026 Oscar Nominations Unveil Major Snubs and Surprises
The much-anticipated nominations for the 2026 Academy Awards have been announced, bringing both expected acknowledgments and shocking omissions that have left the entertainment industry buzzing. While critically acclaimed films like Sinners dominated the list, several high-profile projects and performances were conspicuously absent.
Notable Snubs That Stunned Hollywood
Universal Pictures' blockbuster musical Wicked 2, which grossed an impressive $522 million worldwide, failed to secure a single Oscar nomination. This omission is particularly surprising given the film's commercial success and cultural impact. Lead stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were overlooked for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively, and the film received no recognition in technical categories like visual effects, screenplay, score, or original song.
Another significant snub came in the acting categories, where Paul Mescal was excluded despite his widely praised performance in Chloe Zhao's Hamnet. Mescal's portrayal had been highlighted in numerous positive reviews and was considered a strong contender. Similarly, acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro missed out on a Best Director nomination for Frankenstein, despite stellar reviews. Del Toro, who previously won Best Director for The Shape of Water, found himself outside this year's competitive field.
International and Supporting Category Surprises
In the Best International Film category, Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound, which had generated significant buzz among Hindi cinema fans worldwide, failed to make the cut. This disappointment contrasts with the surprise nomination of Delroy Lindo for Best Supporting Actor, a choice that delighted many industry observers.
The supporting categories also saw Chase Infiniti missing her first Oscar nomination for Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, while Kate Hudson made a remarkable comeback with a Best Actress nomination for Song Sung Blue. Hudson's last nomination came 25 years ago for Almost Famous, making this recognition particularly noteworthy.
Dominant Performers and Frontrunners
On the positive side, Ryan Coogler's Sinners led the nominations with an impressive 16 nods, setting a new record for the most nominations in Oscar history. Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another followed with 12 nominations, including Best Picture, Director, and Actor.
Josh Safdie's Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, earned 10 nominations, with many online commentators predicting Chalamet as the frontrunner for Best Actor. These films represent the critically acclaimed features that received their expected due recognition in this year's nominations.
The 2026 Oscar nominations have certainly set the stage for an intriguing awards season, with unexpected omissions creating as much conversation as the celebrated inclusions. As the industry prepares for the ceremony, these snubs and surprises will undoubtedly fuel discussions about artistic recognition and award season politics.
