Awards pundits were taken by surprise from the first two words spoken at the Oscar nominations on Thursday. Elle Fanning, for Sentimental Value, announced hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, signaling an unexpected start to the nominations for the best supporting actress category.
Fanning's nod caught many off guard, as she was not widely predicted to make the cut despite acclaim for her performance in the Norwegian drama. This set the tone for a series of surprises and snubs during the announcements, leading to eight significant takeaways from the 2026 Oscar nominations.
Although 'Hamnet' and 'One Battle After Another' were expected to perform well, several leading actors from these films were notably absent from the nominations. Paul Mescal missed out on a supporting actor nomination for 'Hamnet,' while Chase Infiniti, a breakout star from 'One Battle After Another,' wasn't nominated for best actress despite strong buzz. Other contenders, like Jesse Plemons and Joel Edgerton, also faced snubs, but their films still managed to secure best picture nominations, indicating the Academy's overall appreciation for these works.
Brad Pitt's film, which sees him play a retired racing driver, was a surprising entry in the best picture category. While many expected technical nominations for its impressive craftsmanship, its ascent to best picture status indicated a strong reception, reaffirming the Academy's affinity for traditional, crowd-pleasing films that resonate with audiences.
Breaking records, Sinners accumulated a staggering 16 nominations, surpassing iconic films like 'La La Land' and 'Titanic'. Director Ryan Coogler's vampire film reflects a successful blending of genres, compelling the Academy to recognize its unique artistic merit.
In stark contrast to its predecessor, 'Wicked: For Good' received zero nominations despite the original film’s success. Many expected it to receive at least one nod, particularly for the new song 'The Girl in the Bubble' by Ariana Grande, but it fell flat with voters.
Surprisingly, two actors from the prolific Sinners film, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo, were the only British nominees in the acting categories. Lindo’s nomination, in particular, was celebrated as a long-overdue recognition of his talent.
In a year where several films struggled for recognition, some actresses stood alone as the singular highlight for their respective films. Rose Byrne and Kate Hudson received accolades as the only nominations for 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' and 'Song Sung Blue', respectively. Meanwhile, Amy Madigan's nomination for the horror film 'Weapons' emerged as a refreshing acknowledgment of a genre often overlooked at the Oscars.
The recently introduced casting category saw overlap with major frontrunners, but its exclusions raised eyebrows, notably Sentimental Value failing to secure a nomination despite four individual acting nods.
A strong frontrunner for best actor, Timothée Chalamet could be on track to win his first Oscar, capitalizing on the momentum from his performance in the film 'Marty Supreme'. His continued presence in the Oscars highlights his growing stature as one of Hollywood's most notable talents.
Fanning's nod caught many off guard, as she was not widely predicted to make the cut despite acclaim for her performance in the Norwegian drama. This set the tone for a series of surprises and snubs during the announcements, leading to eight significant takeaways from the 2026 Oscar nominations.
1. Some hot favourites missed out
Although 'Hamnet' and 'One Battle After Another' were expected to perform well, several leading actors from these films were notably absent from the nominations. Paul Mescal missed out on a supporting actor nomination for 'Hamnet,' while Chase Infiniti, a breakout star from 'One Battle After Another,' wasn't nominated for best actress despite strong buzz. Other contenders, like Jesse Plemons and Joel Edgerton, also faced snubs, but their films still managed to secure best picture nominations, indicating the Academy's overall appreciation for these works.
2. F1 is a comfort-food movie
Brad Pitt's film, which sees him play a retired racing driver, was a surprising entry in the best picture category. While many expected technical nominations for its impressive craftsmanship, its ascent to best picture status indicated a strong reception, reaffirming the Academy's affinity for traditional, crowd-pleasing films that resonate with audiences.
3. Sinners were the big winners
Breaking records, Sinners accumulated a staggering 16 nominations, surpassing iconic films like 'La La Land' and 'Titanic'. Director Ryan Coogler's vampire film reflects a successful blending of genres, compelling the Academy to recognize its unique artistic merit.
4. Wicked did not bewitch the Academy
In stark contrast to its predecessor, 'Wicked: For Good' received zero nominations despite the original film’s success. Many expected it to receive at least one nod, particularly for the new song 'The Girl in the Bubble' by Ariana Grande, but it fell flat with voters.
5. The Brits showed up
Surprisingly, two actors from the prolific Sinners film, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo, were the only British nominees in the acting categories. Lindo’s nomination, in particular, was celebrated as a long-overdue recognition of his talent.
6. Several actresses carried their films to a nomination
In a year where several films struggled for recognition, some actresses stood alone as the singular highlight for their respective films. Rose Byrne and Kate Hudson received accolades as the only nominations for 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' and 'Song Sung Blue', respectively. Meanwhile, Amy Madigan's nomination for the horror film 'Weapons' emerged as a refreshing acknowledgment of a genre often overlooked at the Oscars.
7. New category is a mixed bag
The recently introduced casting category saw overlap with major frontrunners, but its exclusions raised eyebrows, notably Sentimental Value failing to secure a nomination despite four individual acting nods.
8. Timothée is even closer to greatness
A strong frontrunner for best actor, Timothée Chalamet could be on track to win his first Oscar, capitalizing on the momentum from his performance in the film 'Marty Supreme'. His continued presence in the Oscars highlights his growing stature as one of Hollywood's most notable talents.
