Oscars snubs and surprises dominated Hollywood conversation on January 22, 2026, when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled the official nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, triggering immediate debate over unexpected inclusions and headline-making omissions.
The annual nominations are meant to celebrate the best of film, but every year they also ignite controversy. In 2026, the contrast between record-setting recognition and high-profile shutouts has been sharper than usual. From historic nomination totals to shocking acting category exclusions, this year’s list reshaped awards-season expectations and set the tone for the ceremony scheduled for March 15 in Los Angeles.
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A Record-Breaking Surprise at the Top
The biggest nomination shock came from Ryan Coogler’s epic drama Sinners. The film earned a historic 16 Academy Award nominations, the most ever for a single movie, surpassing the long-standing record held by Titanic and La La Land.
The nominations included:
- 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
- Multiple technical categories including cinematography, sound, and production design
Delroy Lindo’s supporting actor nomination marked his first career Oscar nod, a milestone many critics said was long overdue. His inclusion, along with the film’s dominance across categories, instantly positioned Sinners as the clear front-runner of the season.
Unexpected Best Picture Contenders
One of the most talked-about surprises was the Best Picture nomination for the high-octane racing drama F1. The film, while commercially successful, had not been considered a traditional awards heavyweight. Its inclusion signaled that voters were willing to look beyond prestige dramas and embrace large-scale studio productions with strong craftsmanship.
Other films that secured Best Picture slots while generating surprise included:
- Sentimental Value, praised for its emotional depth but not widely predicted to be a top contender
- One Battle After Another, which received multiple nominations but faced unexpected acting category snubs
Major Acting Snubs That Sparked Backlash
While several performers celebrated career-defining moments, others were notably absent.
The most widely discussed omission involved Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for Wicked: For Good. Despite heavy awards-season buzz and strong box-office performance, the film received no nominations in any category. The shutout shocked fans, especially given the success of the first Wicked installment the previous year.
Another major talking point was the absence of Paul Mescal in the Best Supporting Actor race for Hamnet. His performance had been considered a near-lock by many industry observers, yet his name was missing when the nominees were announced.
Additional high-profile snubs included:
- Adam Sandler for Jay Kelly, despite critical praise
- A leading cast member from Avatar: Fire & Ash, which received technical nominations but no acting recognition
- Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, even though the film performed well in multiple categories
Surprising First-Time Nominees
Not all the buzz centered on disappointment. Several first-time nominees delivered genuine surprises.
Elle Fanning earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Sentimental Value, a performance that had flown under the radar during much of the awards season. Her inclusion highlighted the Academy’s willingness to recognize quieter, character-driven roles.
In the music and technical fields, a diverse group of composers and filmmakers earned recognition, reinforcing the Academy’s expanding focus on global talent and genre variety.
How the Snubs and Surprises Shift the Race
The combination of unexpected records and glaring omissions has altered predictions across nearly every major category.
Key implications include:
- Sinners emerging as the dominant force going into final voting
- Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor races becoming more unpredictable due to notable absences
- Genre films gaining renewed respect within the Academy’s top categories
Analysts also noted that the lack of nominations for certain box-office hits could influence future campaign strategies, as studios reassess how they position films for awards consideration.
Fan and Industry Reaction
Within minutes of the announcement, social media platforms were flooded with reactions. Supporters of snubbed performers voiced frustration, while others celebrated long-overdue recognition for veteran actors and filmmakers.
Common themes in the response included:
- Praise for the Academy’s recognition of diverse storytelling
- Disappointment over the complete shutout of major studio releases
- Renewed debate over whether popularity or artistic merit should weigh more heavily in nominations
The discussion has continued to trend across entertainment platforms, keeping the focus firmly on this year’s most controversial decisions.
What to Watch as the Ceremony Approaches
As final voting approaches, attention will center on whether early front-runners can maintain momentum and whether any surprise nominees will convert their unexpected nods into wins.
With historic achievements on one side and emotional omissions on the other, the 2026 race has become one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
The Oscars snubs and surprises have already defined this awards season—stay tuned, and share which nomination or omission shocked you the most.
