2026 Academy Award Snubs and Surprises: Who Did Oscar Leave Out?
The nominees for the 98th Academy Awards were announced on January 22, 2026, revealing significant surprises and notable omissions in various acting categories. Renowned actors including George Clostarty, Julia Roberts, Paul Mescal, Amanda Seyfried, Denzel Washington, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Brad Pitt failed to secure nominations, generating buzz and disappointment among industry insiders and fans alike.
Noteworthy Absences in Acting Categories
Despite expectations, many celebrated performances from high-profile stars did not make the cut for nominations. George Clostarty, who starred in Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly,” was notably excluded from the best actor category alongside other prominent names such as Jesse Plemons (“Bugonia”), Oscar Isaac (“Frankenstein”), and Jeremy Allen White (“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere”).
In the best actress category, Amanda Seyfried (“The Testament of Ann Lee”) and Julia Roberts (“After the Hunt”) were among several Golden Globe nominees overlooked by the Academy. Notably, the sequel to “Wicked,” titled “Wicked: For Good,” was entirely shut out from any Oscar nominations.
Resounding Success of “Sinners”
On the other end of the spectrum, the film “Sinners” made waves by receiving a record-breaking 16 nominations, including start in the newly introduced category of Best Casting. Following closely behind was “start Battle After Another,” with 13 nominations, while “Frankenstein,” “Marty Supreme,” and “Sentimental Value” each earned nine nominations.
Recognitions in Supporting Categories
In the best supporting actor race, Paul Mescal (“Hamnet”) and Miles Caton (“Sinners”) missed nominations despite their previous Screen Actors Guild recognitions. However, new contenders such as Delroy Lindo (“Sinners”) and Jacob Elordi (“Frankenstein”) garnered their first nominations.
The best supporting actress category also saw significant omissions. Noteworthy performances from Rebecca Ferguson (“A House of Dynamite”) and Emily Blunt (“The Smashing Machine”) were not recognized among the nominees. Instead, first-time nominees like Elle Fanning (“Sentimental Value”) and Wunmi Mosaku (“Sinners”) celebrated their first Oscar acknowledgments.
Surprising Outcomes in Best Picture and Director Categories
Among the films vying for best picture, the exclusion of Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s acclaimed “It Was Just an Accident,” which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, raised eyebrows. Conversely, the racing film “F1,” which received nominations only in editing, sound, and visual effects, made the best picture shortlist, prompting a mixture of reactions.
In the best director category, Guillermo del Toro’s work on “Frankenstein,” despite the film’s eight nominations, did not lead to a directing nod, a surprising outcome considering his prior accolades. Other notable omissions included Jafar Panahi and Kathryn Bigelow, both recognized earlier in this year’s awards cycle.
A Look Ahead
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the event will highlight this year’s significant nominations while addressing the surprising outcomes that have dominated discussions in the lead-up to the Oscars.
As the excitement builds, industry professionals and fans alike will await the unveiling of honored performances and the unexpected twists that the Academy Awards are known for.