The Biggest Surprises and Snubs of the 2026 Oscar Nominations



The Oscars are Hollywood’s most anticipated awards night, but every year the nominations spark heated debate long before Oscar night itself. The 2026 nominations—announced in January—were no exception. The 98th Academy Awards brought historic highs and shocking omissions, upending many expectations and igniting discussion across the film world. From unexpected record-breaking contenders to beloved actors and films left out in the cold, here’s a comprehensive look at the biggest surprises and snubs of this year’s Oscar nominations.

A Record-Breaking Run for Sinners

One of the most remarkable surprises of the 2026 nominations was the overwhelming success of Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s genre-defying drama. The vampire epic shattered the Oscars’ nomination record with 16 nods, surpassing legendary films like Titanic and La La Land—each of which previously held the record with 14 nominations. The film earned recognition across major categories: Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, and various technical fields, including the newly introduced Best Casting category.

The breadth of Sinners’ acclaim wasn’t guaranteed. While the film had been on awards season radar, few predicted it would dominate the nominations to this extent. Delroy Lindo’s Best Supporting Actor nomination, in particular, was a highlight; it’s his first Oscar nomination, widely regarded as long overdue.

Unexpected Nods and Career Comebacks

Another major surprise came in the acting categories—especially in Best Actress. Kate Hudson earned a nomination for Song Sung Blue, her first in 25 years. The recognition marks a major career milestone and surprised many observers, given the competitiveness of the category and the film’s modest awards season profile prior to the nominations.

In supporting categories, films like Sentimental Value also overperformed relative to predictions. The movie not only secured multiple nominations but also placed actresses like Elle Fanning in the Best Supporting Actress race, despite earlier awards season setbacks.

Snubs That Shocked the Industry

While surprises delighted some, the nominations also produced a number of painful snubs—some of which left Hollywood insiders and fans alike stunned.

1. Wicked: For Good and Its Stars

Perhaps the most talked-about omission was Wicked: For Good. Despite massive box office success and high expectations for awards recognition, the sequel failed to earn a single nomination. That includes major categories like Best Picture, Craft categories, and even nods for its stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo—both widely expected to land acting nominations.

Grande’s absence was especially surprising given her high-profile presence all season and prior nominations at other awards shows. The lack of recognition for Wicked: For Good was interpreted as a rebuke of the film’s creative direction or the Academy’s preference for more traditional cinematic fare.

2. Paul Mescal’s Omission

Another high-profile snub was Paul Mescal, who delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Hamnet. Many predicted Mescal would secure a Best Supporting Actor nod after a strong awards season and earlier nominations; instead, he was left off the final list.

Mescal’s omission underlined the unpredictable nature of Oscar voting—especially in categories with deep competition and multiple standout performances.

3. Other Notable Snubs

Beyond individual actors, several films that were expected to contend in key categories were also overlooked:

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” failed to earn a Best Picture nomination—the first in the franchise’s history not to secure that nod.

George Clooney and Adam Sandler were both absent from acting nominations for Jay Kelly, adding to the list of unexpected omissions.

International cinema also saw stinging snubs. India’s official entry Homebound, despite making the shortlist and significant buzz, did not secure a nomination—a disappointment for supporters of diverse global storytelling.

Moreover, some influential filmmakers were overlooked in directorial categories, with figures like Guillermo del Toro missing out on Best Director recognition for Frankenstein—a film that did receive nominations in other technical categories.

What These Outcomes Say About the Academy

The mix of surprises and snubs in the 2026 nominations reveals several trends in the Academy’s voting:

Genre films can find respect and acclaim: Sinners’ performance shows dramatic, innovative genre storytelling can rise to the top.

Industry campaigns matter, but they don’t guarantee success: Even with major marketing, films like Wicked: For Good couldn’t sway voters.

Evolving categories reflect changing industry priorities: The introduction of Best Casting recognizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

Global cinema continues to have a complex Oscar relationship, with standout international films still facing hurdles in major categories.

Conclusion

The 2026 Oscar nominations brought one of the most unpredictable and talked-about mornings in recent memory. With Sinners’ record-breaking achievement, breakout recognition for seasoned performers, and controversial omissions across beloved films and performances, this year’s nominations have set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling awards night.

Whether celebrating underdogs or lamenting snubs, fans and critics alike will have plenty to discuss leading up to the Oscars ceremony on March 15, 2026.