Ariana Grande, Mescal Snubbed as Delroy Lindo Shines at Oscars 2026

The 2026 Oscar nominations were always going to leave a few people unhappy after what has been one of the strongest years for cinema in recent memory. With too many acclaimed performances and films chasing too few slots, the Academy’s choices on Thursday still managed to shock even seasoned awards watchers. Some long-expected contenders were left out in the cold, while a few overdue names finally heard their own called.

Here is a clear look at the biggest snubs and the most talked-about surprises from this year’s nominations.

The “Wicked” Reversal: Ariana Grande Left Out

One of the biggest talking points of the morning was the complete shutout of “Wicked: For Good.” The first film was an awards powerhouse, earning 10 nominations last year. Its darker sequel, however, walked away with none.

The most surprising omission was Ariana Grande, who many expected to return to the supporting actress race for her performance as Glinda. While the sequel received a more mixed critical response, her lively and polished turn was still seen as a strong contender. The film’s blank slate also meant Cynthia Erivo was left out of the best actress race, and even the technical categories and original song failed to come through for the production.

A Long-Overdue Breakthrough: Delroy Lindo

One of the happiest surprises of the nominations was Delroy Lindo finally earning his first Oscar nod. He was recognized for his supporting role as the hard-drinking blues legend Delta Slim in “Sinners.” It is a nomination many believe is long overdue for one of the most respected actors of his generation.

However, Lindo’s inclusion also came at a cost.

Paul Mescal Misses Out

The casualty of that crowded category appears to be Paul Mescal, who was widely expected to be nominated for “Hamnet.” His quiet, heartbreaking performance as William Shakespeare, portrayed as a grieving father, had been seen as a near certainty. Mescal, previously nominated for “Aftersun,” will have to wait longer for his second Oscar nod.

Guillermo del Toro’s Surprise Exclusion

Another major shock was the absence of Guillermo del Toro from the best director lineup for “Frankenstein.” The film earned nine nominations overall and was widely considered a passion project for the three-time Oscar winner. Instead, the Academy chose Joachim Trier for “Sentimental Value.” It is worth noting that, surprisingly, del Toro has only been nominated once before in this category, when he won for “The Shape of Water.”

Kate Hudson’s Comeback Moment

On the surprise side of the ledger, Kate Hudson made it into the best actress category for “Song Sung Blue.” Her performance as one half of a Neil Diamond tribute duo rode a strong late awards campaign and plenty of industry goodwill. It is her first acting nomination in 25 years, since “Almost Famous.”

Chase Infiniti and Amanda Seyfried Miss Their Chance

Hudson’s inclusion meant Chase Infiniti was pushed out of the race. Her debut performance in “One Battle After Another” was widely praised as the emotional core of the film and had been considered a strong bet for a first nomination.

Also missing was Amanda Seyfried, who delivered a powerful and intense performance as Shakers founder Ann Lee in “The Testament of Ann Lee.” With only one previous nomination in her career, Seyfried’s continued absence from major awards recognition is increasingly hard to explain.

Horror Breaks Through with Amy Madigan

In a year when voters seemed more open to genre films, Amy Madigan scored a surprise supporting actress nomination for “Weapons.” The film was one of the most discussed releases of the year, but horror rarely finds space at the Oscars. Her nomination came at the expense of contenders from “Marty Supreme” and “One Battle After Another.”

Jafar Panahi Overlooked in Major Categories

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi did receive nominations for original screenplay and international feature for “It Was Just an Accident,” but many see it as a serious oversight that he was not recognized for best picture or best director. The film was made under extraordinary circumstances, following Panahi’s imprisonment in Iran, and has been widely hailed as one of the year’s most important works.

Anime Ignored Again

Despite earning more than $722 million worldwide, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” was left out of the animation category. The omission continues the Academy’s long and often-criticized habit of overlooking anime, even in years when the films dominate global box offices.

Jesse Plemons Misses, Ethan Hawke Gets In

Another eyebrow-raising decision was the absence of Jesse Plemons from the best actor lineup for “Bugonia.” His intense performance as a conspiracy theorist was widely praised. His exclusion opened the door for Ethan Hawke, who was nominated for his warmly received role in “Blue Moon.”

A Surprise Best Picture Contender: “F1”

The Formula One drama “F1” was one of the year’s biggest crowd-pleasers, but few expected it to show up in the best picture race. Its nomination marks one of the more commercial and unexpected choices in the top category.

Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly” Shut Out

Finally, “Jay Kelly” was completely ignored. Once seen as a classic Oscar-friendly project, Noah Baumbach’s film received zero nominations despite strong work from Adam Sandler and a praised score by Nicholas Britell.