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Unexpected start sets tone for Oscar surprises
The 2026 Oscar nominations began with a jolt as hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman opened the ceremony by announcing Elle Fanning for best supporting actress in Sentimental Value. The nod caught industry analysts off guard, as Fanning's performance in the Norwegian family drama had flown under the radar despite critical praise.
Key snubs and standout omissions
Several high-profile contenders fell short in the acting categories. Paul Mescal missed a supporting actor nomination for Hamnet, though co-star Jessie Buckley remains a frontrunner for best actress. Meanwhile, One Battle After Another secured four acting nods but left out breakout star Chase Infiniti, despite her acclaimed performance at just 25 years old.
Other notable absences included Jesse Plemons (Bugonia) and Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), though both films earned best picture nominations, signaling broader Academy support.
Best picture surprises and genre triumphs
F1, starring Brad Pitt as a retired racing driver, defied expectations by landing a best picture nod despite lacking director or acting nominations. The film's technical achievements-praised for immersive sound and visuals-appeared to resonate with Academy voters, reinforcing their appreciation for crowd-pleasing cinema.
Horror-musical Sinners shattered records with 16 nominations, surpassing the previous joint record of 14 held by La La Land, Titanic, and All About Eve. Director Ryan Coogler's film, released last spring, blended 1930s blues with vampire lore, earning acclaim for its artistic ambition. Coogler also made headlines in 2025 for negotiating a deal with Warner Bros. to reclaim the film's rights after 25 years.
Sequel struggles and animated dominance
The first Wicked film won two Oscars from 10 nominations, making the sequel's complete shutout a dramatic fall. Wicked: For Good faced criticism for its weaker second act, mirroring the original musical's structure, and missed expected nods, including a best original song nomination for Ariana Grande's The Girl in the Bubble.
In contrast, Avatar: Fire and Ash secured technical nominations for visual effects and costume design. The animated category showcased mainstream hits like Zootopia 2 ($1.7 billion gross) and streaming sensation K-Pop Demon Hunters.
British actors shine in record-breaking film
Sinners delivered the only two British acting nominations: Wunmi Mosaku (best supporting actress) and Delroy Lindo (best supporting actor). While Mosaku's nod was anticipated, Lindo's inclusion-his first Oscar nomination at 73-highlighted the film's broad Academy appeal. Lindo previously missed a nomination for Da 5 Bloods (2020).
Solo nominations and passion picks
Three actresses earned nominations as their films' sole representatives. Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), and Amy Madigan (Weapons) stood out in competitive fields. Madigan's nod for a horror role was particularly notable, as the genre rarely gains Oscar traction. The 75-year-old's fans had campaigned vigorously for recognition of her eccentric, chilling performance.
Casting category misses and rising stars
The new casting category overlapped with frontrunners like Marty Supreme and Sinners, but Sentimental Value was conspicuously absent. The film's four lead actors-Stellan Skarsgård, Fanning, Renate Reinsve, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas-all secured individual nods, raising questions about the oversight of casting directors Avy Kaufman and Yngvill Kolset Haga.
Timothée Chalamet emerged as the clear best actor frontrunner for Marty Supreme, positioning him for his first Oscar win. At 30, Chalamet is the youngest actor since Marlon Brando (1954) to receive three best actor nominations. With eight best picture-nominated films under his belt, Chalamet's trajectory toward Hollywood's elite appears assured.
