The Academy has revealed the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, and this year's list has sparked intense debate thanks to a mix of historic achievements, unexpected snubs and headline-making surprises.
The biggest headline of the morning belonged to Sinners, which made Oscars history by earning a record-breaking 16 nominations, surpassing longtime record holders Titanic and La La Land.
However, the celebration was tempered by one of the most shocking omissions of the year: Wicked: For Good. Despite its predecessor earning 10 nominations in 2025 and strong momentum throughout awards season, the sequel failed to secure a single nod.
Major Snub: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
Costars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were both excluded from the acting categories despite being nominated the previous year. Grande, in particular, was considered a strong contender after receiving multiple precursor nominations, making her absence especially surprising.
Snub: Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal was widely expected to receive his second Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a grieving William Shakespeare in Hamnet. After dominating the awards circuit, his omission from the Best Actor lineup stunned industry watchers.
Snub: Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt
Despite critical praise and Golden Globe nominations, Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt were left out of the Oscars race for their performances in The Smashing Machine, marking a disappointing awards season for the MMA biopic.
Snub: George Clooney and Adam Sandler
Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly failed to gain traction with Academy voters. Expected acting contenders George Clooney and Adam Sandler walked away without nominations after similar losses at other major awards shows.
Surprise: Kate Hudson
One of the day's brightest moments came from Kate Hudson, who earned her second Oscar nomination for her performance in Song Sung Blue. The recognition marks a career milestone, 25 years after her first nomination for Almost Famous.
Snub: Chase Infiniti
Although One Battle After Another dominated the nominations overall, breakout star Chase Infiniti was notably absent from the Best Actress category despite earning nominations earlier in the season.
Surprise: Delroy Lindo
Delroy Lindo earned his first-ever Oscar nomination for Sinners, a welcome surprise after being overlooked by the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards. His nomination further cemented the film's historic morning.
With passions running high and debates already raging, the 2026 Oscar nominations have set the stage for a dramatic awards season leading up to the ceremony on March 15.