Oscar Nominations 2026: Biggest Snubs, Shocking Surprises and the Films Dominating the Race

The Oscar nominations sparked instant shock on Thursday as the Academy unveiled its list of contenders, with several major favourites missing out and unexpected titles rising to the top.

The moment that set the tone came in the very first category. Hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman opened the ceremony with a surprise nominee: Elle Fanning for “Sentimental Value”. The film has earned praise, but few predicted it would secure a nod in such a high-profile category.

From there, the nominations rolled out with a string of snubs and surprises that kept pundits and audiences guessing.

1. Big Acting Names Were Shockingly Overlooked

Two of the most talked-about performances of the year were notably absent from the nominations.

Paul Mescal, widely tipped for a supporting actor nomination for “Hamnet,” was left out, even though his co-star Jessie Buckley remains a frontrunner for best actress.

Similarly, Chase Infiniti, the breakout star of “One Battle After Another,” missed out on a best actress nomination despite strong critical acclaim. The category was packed with talent, but Infiniti’s omission was one of the most discussed surprises of the day.

Other notable acting snubs included Jesse Plemons for “Bugonia” and Joel Edgerton for “Train Dreams”, though both films still made the cut in the Best Picture category — a sign the Academy still appreciated the movies overall.

2. “F1” Breaks Into Best Picture Against the Odds

One of the biggest surprises of the night was “F1,” the racing film starring Brad Pitt, which secured a Best Picture nomination despite missing out on major acting or directing nods.

The movie was expected to pick up technical nominations for its impressive production, but its leap into the top category showed the Academy’s continued love for well-crafted, crowd-pleasing cinema — the kind of film audiences enjoy with a bucket of popcorn.

3. “Sinners” Dominates with Record-Breaking Nominations

The biggest winner of the nominations was Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” which received a staggering 16 nods, breaking the previous record held by La La Land, Titanic, and All About Eve.

The film, a vampire horror set against the Mississippi Delta, has impressed voters with its blend of genre storytelling and artistic ambition. It also made headlines for Coogler’s landmark deal with Warner Bros, which will return the film’s ownership rights to him after 25 years.

“Sinners” also earned major recognition in the top categories, including a Best Director nod for Coogler and a Best Actor nomination for Michael B. Jordan.