Oscars 2026: Record-Breaking Nominations Bring Global Surprises and Snubs
The 2026 Academy Awards nominations, announced Thursday ahead of the March 15 ceremony, delivered record-breaking achievements alongside notable surprises and high-profile omissions that have Hollywood buzzing.
Historic Achievements Mark Global Recognition
"Sinners" made Oscar history with 16 nominations, setting a new record for the most nominations received by a single film. The achievement signals the Academy's continued evolution toward recognizing diverse storytelling.
In another groundbreaking moment, four non-English-language acting performances received nominations for the first time in Oscar history. Three Norwegian actors from "Sentimental Value" earned recognition: Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgard, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, alongside Brazil's Wagner Moura for "The Secret Agent."
This international recognition reflects the Academy's growing global perspective, particularly meaningful for a nation like the Philippines that values cultural diversity and international collaboration.
Notable Snubs and Surprising Inclusions
The nominations brought their traditional share of controversy. Ariana Grande, who earned a supporting actress nomination last year for the first "Wicked" film, was completely overlooked despite her expanded role in "Wicked: For Good." The sequel received zero nominations, a stark contrast to the original's 10 nods and two wins.
Other significant omissions included Chase Infiniti from "One Battle After Another" and Paul Mescal from "Hamnet."
However, veteran actor Delroy Lindo surprised many with his supporting nomination for "Sinners," alongside Elle Fanning's recognition for the Norwegian dramedy "Sentimental Value."
Warner Bros Dominates in Potential Final Year
Warner Bros achieved the rare feat of producing both Oscar frontrunners, with "Sinners" leading at 16 nominations and "One Battle After Another" following with 13. This success comes as the century-old studio faces a fierce bidding war between Paramount Skydance and Netflix, potentially marking its final year as an independent distributor.
The studio's recent strategy of backing both auteur filmmakers and commercial hits appears to be paying dividends, though its future remains uncertain.
New Category Debuts
The Academy introduced its first new category since 2002: Best Casting. The inaugural nominations largely mirrored best picture contenders, recognizing "Hamnet," "Marty Supreme," "One Battle after Another," "The Secret Agent," and "Sinners."
Chalamet's Third Shot at Glory
Timothée Chalamet, at just 30, earned his third best actor nomination for "Marty Supreme," following previous nods for "Call Me By Your Name" (2018) and "A Complete Unknown" (2024). The semi-fictional tale of a ping-pong player in 1950s New York and Japan exceeded expectations with nine nominations total.
Chalamet also earned recognition as a producer for the best picture nominee, positioning him strongly against competitors including Leonardo DiCaprio.
Breaking Barriers
Director Chloe Zhao made history as only the second woman to receive multiple directing nominations, joining Jane Campion in this exclusive club. Zhao previously won for "Nomadland."
These nominations reflect Hollywood's ongoing transformation, embracing international talent and diverse storytelling methods that resonate with global audiences, including Filipino viewers who appreciate both local and international cinema.