Every awards season comes with its fair share of surprises, but the Golden Globe nominations snubs for 2026 have left both industry insiders and audiences debating what went wrong. From celebrated performances overlooked in key acting categories to entire films missing from the Best Picture lineup, the omissions are as striking as the nominations themselves.
This year’s pattern shows that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which now includes more international members than ever, is leaning heavily toward global storytelling and innovative filmmaking—sometimes at the expense of more traditional Hollywood favorites.
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1. “Oppenheimer” Misses Best Director and Best Drama
Perhaps the most shocking omission this year is Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which did not receive a Best Director nomination. While the film earned nods for acting and technical achievements, many expected Nolan to be a front-runner in directing categories after the film’s critical and commercial success.
Despite being hailed as one of 2025’s most acclaimed films, its limited recognition has sparked debate among critics who consider it a defining cinematic achievement of the decade.
2. Margot Robbie Overlooked for “Barbie”
One of the biggest and most discussed Golden Globe nominations snubs this year is Margot Robbie, who failed to secure a nomination for her leading performance in Barbie.
While the film received recognition for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Original Song, Robbie’s absence shocked fans who praised her nuanced portrayal of self-discovery and satire. Given her major presence throughout 2025’s awards campaign, her omission remains a hot topic on social media platforms.
3. “Killers of the Flower Moon” Misses Best Drama Nomination
Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon was widely expected to be a major contender in the Best Motion Picture – Drama category. Yet, the film was absent from the final list, leaving many puzzled.
The film earned nominations for acting and cinematography but missing the top category marks one of the most notable Golden Globe nominations snubs in recent memory.
Industry observers point out that the HFPA may be shifting toward newer directors and global storytelling formats, explaining why a traditional, large-scale historical drama didn’t dominate this year’s list.
4. Pedro Pascal and “The Last of Us” Left Out
Despite huge anticipation and critical acclaim for its second season, HBO’s The Last of Us failed to score nominations for both Best Drama Series and Best Actor for Pedro Pascal.
The show was a ratings and cultural success, with Pascal’s emotional depth drawing widespread praise. Fans online have voiced disappointment that the series didn’t follow its Emmy-winning streak into the Globes this year.
5. Greta Gerwig and “Barbie” Direction Snubbed
While Barbie received several nominations, Greta Gerwig’s absence from the Best Director category is another major talking point. Her direction was hailed for turning a pop-culture icon into a sharp, subversive social commentary.
Industry analysts suggest that the HFPA’s limited director slots—only five—may have forced tough choices, but Gerwig’s omission feels especially glaring given her previous recognition for Lady Bird and Little Women.
6. “Succession” Cast Members Miss Out
The final season of HBO’s Succession earned nominations in major drama categories, but some fan-favorite performances went unrecognized.
While Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook received acting nods, Brian Cox and Matthew Macfadyen were unexpectedly left out. Given the show’s sweeping success at previous awards, their exclusion adds to this year’s growing list of Golden Globe nominations snubs.
7. “The Crown” Ends Its Run Without Top Recognition
Netflix’s long-running drama The Crown concluded its final season in 2025, but it failed to make a major impact at the Golden Globes.
Despite its consistent presence in awards circles over the years, this last season missed nominations for Best Drama Series and Best Actress for Imelda Staunton, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II. For a show that defined an era of prestige television, its quiet exit surprised viewers and critics alike.
8. No Best Picture Nod for “Past Lives”
Celine Song’s acclaimed romantic drama Past Lives was widely predicted to appear in the Best Motion Picture – Drama category but was absent from the final list.
Though it received nominations in screenplay categories, its omission from Best Picture has reignited the debate over how independent films are weighed against large-scale productions in awards season.
The film’s deeply emotional storytelling earned near-universal acclaim, and its absence is being cited as one of the most significant Golden Globe nominations snubs of the year.
9. Zendaya and “Challengers” Miss Out
Zendaya’s performance in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers had been generating major awards buzz throughout 2025. However, both the film and her portrayal of Tashi Duncan were missing from this year’s nominations.
Given the movie’s positive critical reception and Zendaya’s growing influence in Hollywood, the omission is being widely discussed as one of this year’s biggest shocks.
10. “Only Murders in the Building” Falls Short
Hulu’s hit mystery-comedy Only Murders in the Building has been a Golden Globes staple since its debut, but its latest season received fewer nominations than expected.
While Steve Martin and Martin Short received well-deserved recognition, Selena Gomez was notably left out of the Best Actress – Comedy category. Fans expressed disappointment across social media, calling her absence one of the more baffling Golden Globe nominations snubs this season.
The Broader Trend: Streaming Shifts and Award Season Competition
The 2026 Golden Globe nominations reveal how fiercely competitive the awards landscape has become. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and HBO Max continue to dominate submissions, flooding voters with hundreds of high-quality titles across genres.
As a result, even exceptional performances and films inevitably get left behind. The HFPA’s newly diversified voting body also appears to favor a wider international scope, showcasing projects from non-English markets alongside Hollywood blockbusters.
That evolution, while exciting, has contributed to some of this year’s most talked-about omissions.
Industry and Fan Reactions
Social media platforms lit up immediately after the nominations were announced, with fans and entertainment journalists highlighting omissions like Margot Robbie, Pedro Pascal, and Greta Gerwig. Many described this year’s snubs as some of the most surprising in recent Golden Globe history.
Hollywood insiders have also noted that award trends are becoming less predictable, with emphasis shifting toward innovation and representation over legacy recognition.
Still, the absence of industry powerhouses like Nolan, Scorsese, and Gerwig has left many viewers questioning how the HFPA makes its final selections.
Looking Ahead to the Ceremony
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards will take place on January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. NBC and Peacock will broadcast the ceremony live, with the entertainment world eager to see whether any of the snubbed contenders might get redemption later this season at the Oscars or SAG Awards.
As the awards conversation continues, one thing is clear: the 2026 Golden Globe nominations have once again proven that even the most acclaimed projects can face surprising oversight.
Which of the 2026 Golden Globe nominations snubs shocked you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.
