Key Surprises and Snubs in the 2026 Oscar Nominations

The 2026 Oscar nominations delivered several unexpected results right from the start, beginning with Elle Fanning’s surprise nod for best supporting actress in the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value. Several anticipated contenders missed out, including Paul Mescal for Hamnet and Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another in the acting categories, though their films still secured strong overall recognition. Brad Pitt’s F1 emerged as a notable best picture nominee despite limited nods elsewhere, highlighting the Academy’s appreciation for enjoyable, traditional blockbusters with strong technical merits. Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror Sinners dominated with a record-breaking 16 nominations, surpassing the previous high of 14 shared by La La Land, Titanic, and All About Eve, thanks to its artistic blend of genre elements, 1930s blues music, and cultural depth. In contrast, the Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, received zero nominations, a sharp drop from the first film’s success, while Avatar: Fire and Ash picked up a few technical nods. British talent shone through with Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo earning supporting acting nominations for Sinners. Certain actresses single-handedly carried their films to recognition, such as Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue, and Amy Madigan in Weapons. The new casting category included several frontrunners but overlooked Sentimental Value despite its multiple acting nods. Finally, Timothée Chalamet strengthened his position as a leading contender for best actor in Marty Supreme, edging closer to an Oscar win and solidifying his status among Hollywood’s elite at age 30.