The Oscar nominations for the upcoming 2026 ceremony were announced on Thursday, and the list was full of unexpected twists and turns. From surprise inclusions to high-profile omissions, this year’s crop of nominees has left the entertainment industry abuzz.
One of the biggest shockers of the day was the Best Supporting Actress nomination for Elle Fanning, recognised for her performance in the Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value”. Few had predicted the actress would make the cut, making her inclusion all the more surprising.
However, some of the year’s biggest acting favourites were left out in the cold. Paul Mescal missed out on a Supporting Actor nod for “Hamnet”, while Chase Infiniti, widely tipped for a Best Actress nomination for “One Battle After Another”, ultimately fell short.
The vampire horror film “Sinners” was the real winner of the day, scoring a record-breaking 16 nominations – more than previous joint record holders “La La Land”, “Titanic” and “All About Eve”. Director Ryan Coogler’s bold blend of genre thrills and 1930s blues music clearly resonated with Academy voters.
On the other hand, the much-anticipated “Wicked: For Good” sequel was completely shut out, failing to receive a single nomination. Even the inclusion of Ariana Grande’s new song “The Girl in the Bubble” wasn’t enough to secure a nod in the Original Song category.
In a year short on major British contenders, “Sinners” stars Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo provided rare UK representation, earning nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Actor respectively. Lindo’s inclusion, in particular, feels like a long-overdue recognition for the 73-year-old actor.
The new Casting category offered some curious inclusions and omissions. While films like “Marty Supreme”, “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” were recognised, the acclaimed “Sentimental Value” missed out despite its four individual acting nominations.
Through it all, Timothée Chalamet continues to cement his status as a rising Hollywood great. The 30-year-old is the clear frontrunner for Best Actor for his performance in “Marty Supreme”, putting him one step closer to Oscar glory.
