The 2026 Oscar nominations ceremony commenced with an immediate shock as hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman announced Elle Fanning’s unexpected Best Supporting Actress nomination for ‘Sentimental Value.’ This early surprise established the tone for an announcement filled with both startling omissions and remarkable recognitions across major categories.
Several critically acclaimed performances failed to secure nominations, generating significant buzz. Paul Mescal was surprisingly absent from the Supporting Actor lineup for ‘Hamnet,’ while breakout star Chase Infiniti was overlooked for Best Actress despite her lauded performance in ‘One Battle After Another.’ Other notable snubs included Jesse Plemons for ‘Bugonia’ and Joel Edgerton for ‘Train Dreams,’ though both films earned Best Picture nominations.
The biggest surprise in the Best Picture category emerged with the inclusion of Brad Pitt’s racing drama ‘F1.’ While expected to receive technical nominations, its ascent to the top category without corresponding directing or acting nods demonstrated strong support from Academy traditionalists who appreciate well-crafted, mainstream cinema.
Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror film ‘Sinners’ achieved historic recognition with a record-breaking 16 nominations, surpassing previous record holders ‘La La Land,’ ‘Titanic,’ and ‘All About Eve.’ The film’s artistic fusion of genre horror with 1930s blues music set in the Mississippi Delta resonated powerfully with voters, maintaining remarkable momentum since its spring release. The production also made industry headlines for Coogler’s groundbreaking deal with Warner Brothers that will return the film’s ownership rights to him after 25 years.
In a dramatic reversal of fortune, the ‘Wicked’ sequel failed to secure any nominations after its predecessor garnered 10 nods and two wins. Particularly surprising was the omission of Ariana Grande’s newly added song ‘The Girl in the Bubble’ from the Original Song category. Mainstream recognition instead appeared in the Animated Feature category with blockbusters ‘Zootopia 2’ and viral sensation ‘KPop Demon Hunters.’
‘Sinners’ delivered the only British acting nominations through Wunmi Mosaku (Supporting Actress) and Delroy Lindo (Supporting Actor), with Lindo’s inclusion at age 73 marking a long-overdue recognition after his previous near-miss for ‘Da 5 Bloods.’
Several actresses carried their films as sole nominees, including Rose Byrne for ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,’ Kate Hudson for ‘Song Sung Blue,’ and Amy Madigan for horror film ‘Weapons’—a particularly notable achievement given the genre’s typical Oscar aversion.
The newly introduced Casting category generated its own controversy when ‘Sentimental Value’ failed to receive recognition despite all four lead actors—Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas—earning individual nominations, raising questions about the selection criteria for the award.
Timothée Chalamet emerged as the clear Best Actor frontrunner for ‘Marty Supreme,’ positioning him for his first Oscar win. At 30, he becomes the youngest actor since Marlon Brando to receive three Leading Actor nominations, having previously been nominated for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in ‘A Complete Unknown.’
