The oscars snubs and surprises of 2026 reshaped the awards conversation the moment the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed this year’s nominations on January 22. Within minutes, Hollywood insiders, critics, and movie fans across the United States began dissecting a list that delivered record-breaking recognition, stunning shutouts, and unexpected first-time nominees.
Every Oscar season brings debate, but the 98th Academy Awards cycle stands out for the scale of its extremes. One film rewrote the record books, several long-anticipated contenders were completely overlooked, and a few quiet performances suddenly found themselves in the center of the race. As the ceremony approaches on March 15, these nominations are already defining the story of the season.
A Film That Made Oscar History
The most dramatic surprise came from Sinners, the sweeping historical drama directed by Ryan Coogler. The film secured 16 nominations, the highest total ever achieved by a single movie in Academy Awards history.
Its presence was felt across nearly every major category:
- Best Picture
- Best Director for Ryan Coogler
- Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan
- Best Supporting Actor for Delroy Lindo
- Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku
- Best Casting
- Cinematography
- Production Design
- Costume Design
- Original Score
- Film Editing
- Sound
- Visual Effects
- Makeup and Hairstyling
- Adapted Screenplay
- Original Song
This level of recognition instantly placed Sinners at the center of the awards season. Michael B. Jordan’s nomination strengthened his status as one of the most consistent leading actors of his generation, while Wunmi Mosaku’s nod marked a breakthrough moment on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
Perhaps the most emotional reaction surrounded Delroy Lindo. After decades of acclaimed performances, his first-ever Oscar nomination became one of the night’s most celebrated achievements.
Unexpected Best Picture Entrants
While several prestige dramas landed expected slots, the Best Picture lineup also featured titles that few analysts predicted.
The sports drama F1 emerged as one of the year’s biggest surprises. Racing films rarely break into the Academy’s top category unless they carry strong technical or emotional appeal. The nomination signaled growing appreciation for large-scale studio filmmaking that balances spectacle with character-driven storytelling.
Sentimental Value also surprised many observers. The film had performed well at festivals and in critical circles, yet it was not widely considered a frontrunner. Its inclusion reflected the Academy’s increasing openness to intimate, relationship-focused narratives.
Meanwhile, One Battle After Another earned multiple nominations but delivered one of the night’s most confusing contradictions: strong overall recognition paired with notable acting omissions.
The Most Talked-About Acting Snubs
No Oscar announcement is complete without controversy, and this year’s acting categories produced some of the loudest reactions.
The most shocking omission was the complete shutout of Wicked: For Good. Despite massive box office success and months of awards buzz, neither Ariana Grande nor Cynthia Erivo received nominations. The film failed to secure a single nod across all categories.
For a project backed by strong fan support, critical discussion, and a celebrated cast, the absence was jarring. The reaction was swift, with social platforms lighting up as viewers questioned how such a high-profile release could be ignored entirely.
Another surprising absence was Paul Mescal in the Best Supporting Actor race for Hamnet. His performance had been considered one of the emotional anchors of the film and was widely predicted to earn recognition. The omission reshaped expectations for the category and opened the field to less-publicized contenders.
Additional snubs that generated discussion included:
- Adam Sandler, whose dramatic role in Jay Kelly was widely praised but ultimately overlooked
- A leading performer from Avatar: Fire & Ash, which received technical nominations but no acting recognition
- Chase Infiniti, who missed a Best Actress slot despite her film earning multiple overall nominations
These exclusions underscored how competitive the acting races had become and how unpredictable final voting can be.
Breakthrough and First-Time Nominees
Amid the disappointment, several performers celebrated milestone moments.
Elle Fanning’s nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Sentimental Value surprised many in the industry. The performance was subtle, emotionally layered, and far from the traditional awards-season spotlight. Her inclusion highlighted the Academy’s increasing attention to quieter roles that rely on nuance rather than spectacle.
In the music and technical categories, a mix of veteran composers and rising talents earned recognition. The diversity of genres represented—from historical epics to contemporary dramas and science fiction—demonstrated a broadening definition of what constitutes award-worthy craftsmanship.
Category-by-Category Impact
Best Picture
The field combined large-scale productions, intimate dramas, and genre films, reflecting a more inclusive voting pattern. The presence of Sinners and F1 in the same lineup illustrated how storytelling ambition now spans both prestige and mainstream cinema.
Best Director
Ryan Coogler’s nomination placed him at the forefront of the season, while other nominees represented a mix of established auteurs and emerging voices. The absence of certain veteran filmmakers fueled debate about shifting tastes within the directing branch.
Acting Races
With several expected names missing, the acting categories became more open than anticipated. First-time nominees now find themselves competing directly against established Oscar winners, creating one of the most unpredictable fields in recent years.
Technical Fields
The technical categories showcased a wide range of styles, from period authenticity to futuristic design. Large-scale productions dominated visual effects and sound, while smaller films found recognition in editing, score, and costume design.
Why These Results Matter
The balance of recognition and omission reveals broader trends within the Academy.
First, there is a growing willingness to reward genre films when their craftsmanship reaches a certain level. The success of Sinners and the Best Picture inclusion of F1 reflect that shift.
Second, star power alone no longer guarantees nominations. The shutout of globally recognized performers shows that campaign momentum must align closely with voter enthusiasm.
Third, long careers are finally receiving overdue acknowledgment. Delroy Lindo’s nomination stands as a reminder that the Academy can still deliver moments of long-awaited validation.
Cultural and Industry Reaction
In the hours following the announcement, entertainment networks, social platforms, and industry forums filled with analysis. Some praised the Academy for embracing diversity in genre and storytelling. Others criticized the voting body for overlooking performances that had defined the cultural conversation.
The divide was especially visible between fans of major studio releases and supporters of smaller, critically driven projects. This contrast has become a recurring feature of modern Oscar seasons, reflecting the expanding range of films competing for attention.
What Lies Ahead
As final voting approaches, momentum will continue to shift. Films that dominated nominations may not necessarily dominate wins. Unexpected nominees often gain late-season support, while early favorites sometimes falter.
The narrative heading into the March ceremony is already shaped by contrast: historic success on one side and headline-making omissions on the other. These dynamics ensure that anticipation remains high and that discussions surrounding artistic merit, popularity, and industry influence will continue.
The oscars snubs and surprises of 2026 have created one of the most compelling award seasons in recent memory, blending record-breaking achievements with emotional disappointments and unexpected breakthroughs.
Stay tuned as the race unfolds, and join the conversation by sharing which nomination or omission left the biggest impression on you.