Notable Omissions and Unexpected Nominations in the 2026 Oscars

The 2026 Oscar nominations have delivered both expected accolades and surprising omissions. ‘Sinners’ dominated this year’s nominations, earning 16 nods, while ‘Wicked: For Good’, despite strong box office performance, failed to secure a single nomination. Stars such as Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were left out of the acting categories, and the film was absent from the Best Picture lineup. Paul Mescal, praised for his role in ‘Hamnet’, was overlooked in Best Supporting Actor, possibly due to voters splitting his placement between supporting and lead actor categories. Breakout actress Chase Infiniti, expected to receive a nomination for ‘One Battle After Another’, missed out despite her co-stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio Del Toro, being recognized. Meanwhile, Kate Hudson secured a Best Actress nod for ‘Song Sung Blue’, aided by high-profile publicity. British actors Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku were acknowledged for their performances in ‘Sinners’, with Lindo’s nomination considered unexpected. ‘Sentimental Value’, a Norwegian family drama, received nine nominations but none in the new Best Achievement in Casting category. Guillermo del Toro was also excluded from Best Director despite ‘Frankenstein’ receiving nine nominations, including Best Picture. Formula One-themed ‘F1’, starring Damson Idris and Brad Pitt, entered the Best Picture race, reflecting a competitive mix of critical acclaim and popular appeal heading into the Oscars on March 15 in Los Angeles.