The 98th Academy Awards nominations have officially arrived, and while the usual suspects are currently celebrating their path to the Dolby Theatre, the morning’s announcement was defined just as much by the names left off the list. Every awards cycle produces a few shocks, but the 2026 lineup feels particularly pointed, leaving several high-budget spectacles and critically adored indies without a single mention in any category.
From visionary directorial efforts that were expected to sweep the technical fields to powerhouse performances that anchored the year’s biggest blockbusters, the total absence of these films suggests a widening gap between industry prestige and the Academy’s evolving tastes.
Jay Kelly
Source: IMDb
Despite the high pedigree of a Noah Baumbach and Adam Sandler reunion, this Netflix dramedy was arguably the most shocking total shutout of the morning. While Sandler and co-star George Clooney campaigned heavily for their roles as aging intellectuals, the Academy’s acting branches opted for more transformative performances, leaving this intimate, talky character study without any recognition for its screenplay or lead performances.
Superman
James Gunn’s highly anticipated reboot was widely expected to be a lock for technical categories like Best Visual Effects and Sound, yet the Academy bypassed the Man of Steel entirely. This total omission signals a continued cooling of the Academy’s relationship with the superhero genre, as even the film’s vibrant production design couldn’t edge out more grounded, artisanal competitors.
Sorry, Baby
Eva Victor’s directorial debut became an indie darling over the summer, with many critics calling her performance a lock for Best Actress after a viral shout-out from Julia Roberts. However, the film’s raw, minimalist approach to trauma may have been too unconventional for the broader voting body, resulting in a disappointing lack of support for one of the year’s most discussed breakout turns.
After the Hunt
Luca Guadagnino’s academic thriller was positioned as a major vehicle for Julia Roberts to return to the Oscar stage, but the film ultimately vanished from the nominations list. Despite the “Guadagnino touch” and a supporting cast featuring Andrew Garfield, the competitive Best Actress field left no room for Roberts’ nuanced portrayal of a professor in crisis.
Materialists
Celine Song’s follow-up to Past Lives carried the weight of massive expectations, yet it failed to capture the same awards lightning in a bottle as its predecessor. While Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal earned praise for their chemistry, the film’s summer release and lighter rom-com DNA likely made it difficult to sustain momentum against the year’s more weighty late-autumn dramas.
28 Years Later
Source: IMDb
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s return to the world of the infected was a box-office success that garnered critical acclaim for its cinematography and Young Fathers’ haunting score. Unfortunately, the Academy rarely rewards horror sequels, and the film’s January release for its follow-up, The Bone Temple, may have inadvertently split the attention of voters looking for technical mastery.
Wicked: For Good
While the first installment of the Oz prequel was a major awards player, the Academy seems to have suffered from musical fatigue with this concluding chapter. Ariana Grande did manage a SAG nod earlier in the season, but the Oscars completely overlooked the film’s massive scale, leaving its legendary costume and production design teams empty-handed this year.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Rian Johnson’s third outing for Benoit Blanc remains a hit with audiences, but the whodunnit formula appears to have lost its luster with the Academy’s writing branch. After receiving nominations for the first two films, this third entry was shut out of Original Screenplay, suggesting that the franchise may now be viewed more as pure entertainment than awards-caliber storytelling.
Die My Love
Jennifer Lawrence delivered a career-best, unhinged performance in Lynne Ramsay’s latest project, making its total absence from the list a bitter pill for cinephiles. The film’s dark, surrealist tone was always going to be a gamble for the Academy, and it seems the voters ultimately favored more traditional, accessible narratives over Ramsay’s bold aesthetic.
The Testament of Ann Lee
Amanda Seyfried’s transformative role as the leader of the Shakers was the kind of period biopic performance that usually attracts Oscar gold. However, the film’s experimental musical structure and late-year release likely hindered its visibility, causing it to get lost in a crowded field of more traditional historical dramas.
The Long Walk
Source: IMDb
Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of the Stephen King classic relied on a grueling, physical ensemble performance led by Cooper Hoffman, yet it failed to break into the Best Picture or acting races. While the film’s bleak portrayal of a dystopian marathon was a hit with King purists, its relentless grimness may have been a bridge too far for the Academy members.
Kiss of the Spider-Woman
The cinematic adaptation of the Kander and Ebb musical featured a high-glamour turn from Jennifer Lopez, but it struggled to overcome mixed critical reviews regarding its pacing. Despite Bill Condon’s previous success with musicals, the film couldn’t secure the technical or musical nominations that many expected would be its floor during the early awards season.
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise’s supposed swan song as Ethan Hunt was a masterclass in practical stunts, yet it failed to even land a spot in the Sound categories. It is a rare and surprising end for a franchise that has spent the last few years being championed as the savior of the theatrical experience by the industry’s elite.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
Despite breaking box office records globally and receiving a dedicated promotional push for its breathtaking ufotable animation, the Academy’s animation branch stuck to its traditional guns. The film’s status as part of a long-running series likely proved a barrier for voters who prefer standalone features, leaving the highest-grossing anime of the year without a Best Animated Feature nod.
No Other Choice
Source: IMDb
This gritty, international production had been hovering on the edge of the Best International Feature race for months, but it failed to make the final cut. While it garnered significant respect on the festival circuit for its uncompromising direction, it lacked the massive promotional machine needed to break through in a year dominated by high-budget domestic favorites.
