Oscar 2026 Snubs and Surprises: The Biggest Shocks of the 98th Academy Awards

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were officially out long ago, and while some stars are popping champagne, others are probably throwing their phones across the room. From record-breaking milestones to heartbreaking shutouts, the 2026 race is already one for the history books.

If you’re looking for the “tea” on who the Academy loved (and who they clearly didn’t), you’ve come to the right place. Here are the most shocking snubs and surprises from this year’s list.

The Shocking Snubs

Wicked: For Good — The Ultimate Shutout 

After the first film racked up 10 nominations last year, the sequel was completely snubbed. No Best Picture, no technical nods, and most shockingly… Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were both left off the list. It’s officially the “Wicked” curse—the Academy seems to have lost its magic for Oz.

Paul Mescal (Hamnet)

He’s the internet’s favorite boyfriend, but the Academy didn’t give him any love this time. Despite his co-star Jessie Buckley and director Chloé Zhao making the cut, Paul was surprisingly missing from the Best Supporting Actor race. Is he too “indie” for the big stage, or was the field just too crowded?

Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein)

While the film snagged 9 nominations (mostly in technical categories), the visionary director himself was snubbed for Best Director. Even with heavyweights like Martin Scorsese and David Fincher campaigning for him, the Academy went with Joachim Trier instead.

Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another)

The breakout star of the season was tipped as a lock for Best Supporting Actress, but the 25-year-old ingenue was overlooked in favor of more veteran names. Sometimes, being the “it girl” isn’t enough to sway the voters.

The Biggest Surprises 

Delroy Lindo’s First Nod 

At 73 years old, the legendary Delroy Lindo finally secured his first-ever Oscar nomination for his role as Delta Slim in Sinners. It’s a “long-overdue” moment that has the whole industry cheering. Better late than never, right?

Kate Hudson’s Comeback

Many thought Song Sung Blue didn’t have the legs for a major awards run, but Kate Hudson surprised everyone by snagging a Best Actress nomination. Penny Lane is back, baby, and she’s coming for that gold!

The “Dad Movie” Victory (F1) 

Brad Pitt’s racing drama F1 was a massive summer blockbuster, but its Best Picture nomination was a huge surprise to the critics. The “steak-eater” demographic of the Academy clearly loved the high-octane thrill ride.

Elle Fanning’s Stealth Mission

While her film Sentimental Value was a critical darling, Elle Fanning’s nomination for Best Supporting Actress was a late-season surge that many experts didn’t see coming. She’s officially graduated from “child star” to Academy favorite.

Historical Milestones

Sinners Break Records 

With a staggering 16 nominations, Sinners officially broke the all-time record previously held by Titanic and La La Land. It also tied the record for the most Black nominees from a single film in Oscar history. Ryan Coogler has officially entered the stratosphere.

The Debut of “Best Casting”

For the first time ever, the Academy is recognizing the art of casting. Hamnet, Sinners, and Marty Supreme are among the first-ever nominees in this historic category. It’s about time the people who put the puzzles together got their flowers!

K-Pop Hits the Oscars

KPop Demon Hunters snagged a nomination for Best Original Song (“Golden”), marking a major crossover moment for the genre on the global Oscar stage. Could we see a K-pop performance during the ceremony? We can only hope!