In brief
The 2026 Oscar nominations revealed several surprises, including notable snubs for favorites like Paul Mescal and Chase Infiniti. British actors Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku made impactful appearances, while the record-breaking film 'Sinners' stole the show with 16 nominations. 'F1' shocked many by entering the best picture category, and Timothée Chalamet emerged as a strong contender for best actor. The new casting category sparked discussion after 'Sentimental Value' secured individual nominations but no group recognition. This year's lineup reflected both traditional film appreciation and a shift in narrative recognition.
Awards pundits were taken by surprise from the first two words spoken at the Oscar nominations on Thursday.Elle Fanning, for Sentimental Value, said hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, as they kicked off the nominations with the best supporting actress category.Fanning's appearance got things off to a spicy start - she had received praise for her performance in the Norwegian family drama, but few had predicted a nomination.The opening category set the tone for a string of snubs and surprises, which started coming thick and fast. Here are eight of the big takeaways.
1. Some hot favorites missed out
Although Hamnet and One Battle After Another did well, both had a slightly softer showing than expected in the acting categories.Paul Mescal missed out on a supporting actor nod for Hamnet - a surprising omission, although we're confident it won't have much impact on his co-star Jessie Buckley's frontrunner status for best actress.Meanwhile, four big actors from One Battle After Another were recognised, but its break-out star Chase Infiniti missed best actress despite being a red-hot contender. Other actors who missed included Jesse Plemons for Bugonia and Joel Edgerton for Train Dreams. But both of those movies made it into best picture - so the Academy clearly liked them overall.2. F1 is a comfort-food movie
F1, which stars Brad Pitt as a racing driver brought out of retirement, was the biggest surprise in the best picture category. Although many awards pundits expected it to pick up several below-the-line nominations, the fact that it had enough momentum to propel it into best picture was a real show of strength.3. Sinners were the big winners
Sinners scored a record-breaking 16 nominations, flying way past the previous joint record holders La La Land, Titanic, and All About Eve, which got 14 each. Ryan Coogler's vampire horror has proven to be a hit with audiences and voters alike.4. Wicked did not bewitch the Academy
The sequel to Wicked saw an extraordinary fall from grace, receiving zero nominations, while its predecessor won two Oscars. This disappointing outcome was widely expected as Wicked: For Good was not as well received.5. The Brits showed up
Sinners not only scored the highest number of nominations but also delivered the only two Brits to be nominated in the acting categories - Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo.6. Several actresses carried their films to a nomination
Three of the actresses nominated were the only recognition their film received; notable mentions go to Rose Byrne and Kate Hudson for their individual achievements in dramas.7. New category is a mixed bag
The newly introduced casting category had nominations that overlapped with the general frontrunners, yet 'Sentimental Value' surprisingly missed a casting nomination despite earning individual nods for its lead stars.8. Timothée is even closer to greatness
Timothée Chalamet is a strong contender for best actor this year, further solidifying his status as a Hollywood great. His performance in table-tennis drama Marty Supreme has made waves in the industry.";
