Awards pundits were taken by surprise from the first two words spoken at the Oscar nominations on Thursday. Elle Fanning, for Sentimental Value, said hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, kicking off the nominations with a spicy start in the best supporting actress category. Fanning's unexpected nomination raised eyebrows as she had been highly praised for her performance in the Norwegian family drama, but few had predicted she would receive a nod from the Academy.
The initial nominations set the tone for a series of surprises and notable omissions, leading to eight significant takeaways from the 2026 Oscars.
1. **Some hot favourites missed out**: Notably, Paul Mescal missed the supporting actor nod for his work in 'Hamnet', despite his co-star Jessie Buckley remaining a frontrunner for best actress. Additionally, breakout star Chase Infiniti from 'One Battle After Another' was left out of the competition for best actress.
2. **F1 is a comfort-food movie**: The film featuring Brad Pitt as a racing driver had enough momentum to place it into the best picture category, indicating the Academy's appreciation for traditional, entertaining films.
3. **Sinners were the big winners**: The vampire horror film 'Sinners' shattered records with 16 nominations, surpassing previous record holders. The film's artistic achievement and unique blend of horror and blues music resonated with Academy voters.
4. **Wicked did not bewitch the Academy**: In a stunning contrast to its predecessor, the 'Wicked' sequel received zero nominations, attributed to a less favorable reception among critics.
5. **The Brits showed up**: 'Sinners' not only led in nominations but also featured the only two British actors recognized in the acting categories, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo.
6. **Several actresses carried their films to a nomination**: Notably, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, and Amy Madigan received nominations that marked the only recognition for their respective films, showcasing the significance of strong female performances.
7. **New category is a mixed bag**: The newly introduced casting category reflected overlaps with various frontrunners but left 'Sentimental Value' confused, as it missed a casting nod despite having multiple individual acting nominations.
8. **Timothée is even closer to greatness**: Chalamet stands as a clear frontrunner for best actor for his role in 'Marty Supreme', being one award away from achieving a significant career milestone. He also made history as the youngest actor since Marlon Brando to achieve three nominations for best leading actor.
This year's nominations illustrate a blend of tradition and surprise, leaving many excited for the Oscars night.
The initial nominations set the tone for a series of surprises and notable omissions, leading to eight significant takeaways from the 2026 Oscars.
1. **Some hot favourites missed out**: Notably, Paul Mescal missed the supporting actor nod for his work in 'Hamnet', despite his co-star Jessie Buckley remaining a frontrunner for best actress. Additionally, breakout star Chase Infiniti from 'One Battle After Another' was left out of the competition for best actress.
2. **F1 is a comfort-food movie**: The film featuring Brad Pitt as a racing driver had enough momentum to place it into the best picture category, indicating the Academy's appreciation for traditional, entertaining films.
3. **Sinners were the big winners**: The vampire horror film 'Sinners' shattered records with 16 nominations, surpassing previous record holders. The film's artistic achievement and unique blend of horror and blues music resonated with Academy voters.
4. **Wicked did not bewitch the Academy**: In a stunning contrast to its predecessor, the 'Wicked' sequel received zero nominations, attributed to a less favorable reception among critics.
5. **The Brits showed up**: 'Sinners' not only led in nominations but also featured the only two British actors recognized in the acting categories, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo.
6. **Several actresses carried their films to a nomination**: Notably, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, and Amy Madigan received nominations that marked the only recognition for their respective films, showcasing the significance of strong female performances.
7. **New category is a mixed bag**: The newly introduced casting category reflected overlaps with various frontrunners but left 'Sentimental Value' confused, as it missed a casting nod despite having multiple individual acting nominations.
8. **Timothée is even closer to greatness**: Chalamet stands as a clear frontrunner for best actor for his role in 'Marty Supreme', being one award away from achieving a significant career milestone. He also made history as the youngest actor since Marlon Brando to achieve three nominations for best leading actor.
This year's nominations illustrate a blend of tradition and surprise, leaving many excited for the Oscars night.
