The announcement of the 2026 Academy Awards nominations has generated a wave of discussions in the entertainment sector as several prominent names were notably absent from the list. Despite a year rich in cinematic achievements, the constraints of the nomination process left some industry favorites and critically acclaimed performances excluded, while making room for some unexpected acknowledgments.
Among the prominent absences was Ariana Grande, who failed to secure a nomination for her role in "Wicked: For Good." The original "Wicked" film had previously achieved an impressive 10 nominations, but its darker sequel did not replicate that success, potentially due to less favorable critical reception. Grande's omission also meant the exclusion of co-star Cynthia Erivo from the best actress category. Furthermore, the film did not receive nominations in craft categories or for its original songs, even as veteran songwriter Diane Warren was able to secure a nomination.
Delroy Lindo's nomination for his supporting role as Delta Slim, a hard-drinking blues musician in "Sinners," was among the most notable surprises. This marks Lindo's first Academy Award nomination, a recognition many have considered overdue given his longstanding contributions to film. His inclusion, however, also displaced another expected nominee in the supporting actor category.
Paul Mescal did not receive a nomination for his portrayal of William Shakespeare in "Hamnet." Mescal was widely regarded as a strong contender following his previous nomination for "Aftersun" in 2023, where he also played a grief-stricken father. His absence was one of the significant disappointments in the acting categories this year.
Guillermo del Toro, renowned for his past work and a three-time Oscar winner, was also surprisingly left out of the best director nominations for "Frankenstein," despite the film receiving nine other nominations. In his stead, Joachim Trier received a nod for "Sentimental Value." Notably, del Toro has been nominated only once before in the directing category, for "The Shape of Water," the film for which he won.
Kate Hudson earned a surprising best actress nomination for her role in "Song Sung Blue," a tribute to Neil Diamond. This marks her return to Oscar recognition after 25 years since her first and only previous nomination for "Almost Famous." Hudson's nomination came at the expense of Chase Infiniti, whose performance in "One Battle After Another" was widely praised as the emotional centerpiece of the film and a remarkable screen debut.
Amanda Seyfried's performance as Shakers founder Ann Lee in "The Testament of Ann Lee" also went unrecognized, despite its intensity and critical appreciation. Seyfried, who has only one previous Oscar nod for "Mank," continues to be regarded as an under-recognized talent within awards circuits.
Actress Amy Madigan's nomination for her supporting role in the horror film "Weapons" drew attention as a break from traditional award patterns, which often overlook the horror genre. This reflects a possible shift in voters' openness to varied genres. However, actresses from "Marty Supreme," including Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A’zion, as well as Regina Hall from "One Battle After Another," were not nominated.
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi received nominations in the original screenplay and international feature categories for "It Was Just an Accident" but was overlooked in the best picture and best director categories. His work, created under challenging circumstances including imprisonment and restrictions in Iran, has been critically acclaimed, making these omissions particularly striking.
Within animation, the absence of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle," a film that achieved over $722 million globally, was a notable oversight amidst the nominations. In contrast, "Elio" secured a spot, highlighting inconsistent recognition of anime at the Oscars.
Jesse Plemons was not nominated for his lead role in "Bugonia," a film noted for his intense portrayal of a conspiracy theorist. Given his previous nomination for "The Power of the Dog," his omission stands out. Ethan Hawke received a nod in this category for his role in "Blue Moon," which was widely praised.
The best picture category included the film "F1," a Formula One racing movie that enjoyed commercial success and popularity, though it was not commonly predicted as a major contender prior to the nominations.
Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly," previously favored in awards speculation and featuring strong performances including Adam Sandler's and a score by Nicholas Britell, failed to secure any nominations in this year's selection.
Overall, the 2026 Oscar nominations reflect a blend of industry expectations met, surprising new entries, and significant snubs, signaling an evolving landscape in cinematic recognition that continues to provoke discussion among audiences, critics, and industry professionals alike.