Oscars 2026: The Biggest Snubs and Surprises in a Record-Breaking Year
As the dust settles on the 2026 Oscar nominations, the film industry is buzzing with both celebration and disappointment. While some stars are toasting their success, others are left reeling from unexpected omissions. Arts and entertainment reporter Bethany Minelle delves into the key takeaways from this year's announcements.
Notable Omissions That Shocked Hollywood
Paul Mescal, acclaimed for his portrayal of playwright William Shakespeare in Hamnet, was overlooked in the Best Supporting Actor category. This snub comes despite a vigorous campaign and speculation that vote-splitting between categories may have hindered his chances. Similarly, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, stars of Wicked: For Good, failed to secure nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. The film itself, a sequel that garnered 10 nods last year, received zero nominations this time, missing out on the coveted Best Picture race entirely.
Another surprising omission was Chase Infiniti, the breakout star of One Battle After Another. Despite a Golden Globe nomination earlier this month, she was left out of the Best Actress lineup, even as her co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor all made the cut. In a tight race, Kate Hudson managed to secure a nomination for Song Sung Blue, potentially boosted by a recent publicity event with her mother, Goldie Hawn.
Unexpected Surprises and British Triumphs
On the brighter side, British talent shone through with unexpected nods. Delroy Lindo, 74, and Wunmi Mosaku, 39, both received nominations for their roles in Sinners, which leads the pack with a staggering 16 nominations. Lindo's portrayal of musician Delta Slim was particularly praised, though many pundits had predicted his spot would go to Mescal or Adam Sandler. Mosaku, a RADA-trained British Nigerian actress, has been gaining momentum in awards conversations, making her nomination a welcome surprise.
Other surprises include the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value, which earned nine nods but was inexplicably left out of the new Best Achievement in Casting category, despite four acting nominations. Additionally, while Frankenstein secured nine nominations, including Best Picture, director Guillermo del Toro was snubbed in the Best Director category.
Technical Triumphs and Future Prospects
The Formula One blockbuster F1, starring Damson Idris and Brad Pitt, exceeded expectations by nudging into the Best Picture race, alongside anticipated success in technical categories. As a summer hit, its chances at the Academy Awards on Sunday, 15 March, remain a topic of speculation. With Sinners setting a record-breaking pace, this year's Oscars promise to be a thrilling showdown between established favourites and dark horses.
