Nominations That Surprise And Absences That Outrage

Oscar 2026: nominations that surprise and absences that outrage

'Sinners' leads the nominations, while big names like Guillermo del Toro and Paul Mescal are left out

The Dolby Theater in Los Angeles is preparing to host the 98th edition of the Oscar Awards, an event that promises emotions and controversy. This year, the film 'Sinners' is positioned as the great favorite, accumulating the highest number of nominations from the Academy. It is followed by titles such as 'One battle after another', 'Marty Supreme', 'Frankenstein' and 'Sentimental value'all with multiple options to win the precious statuette.

However, among the names announced there are also unexpected absences that have generated debate in the industry. The most commented one is Guillermo del Torodirector of 'Frankenstein'. Although the film is competing for best film and Jacob Elordi is nominated for best supporting actor, the Academy did not include del Toro among the candidates for best director, leaving out a renowned director against talents such as Chloé Zhao, Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler.

Another notable omission is that of Paul Mescalwho surprised with his performance in 'Hamnet'. Although Jessie Buckley carries the main dramatic load, Mescal received praise for his portrayal of William Shakespeare's grief after the death of his son, but did not earn a place in the best actor category. This void has generated debate among critics and fans of awards season.

the saga 'Wicked: For Good' is also off the nomination list. The surprise is notable, considering that the first part of the musical achieved ten nominations and several awards the previous year. Neither Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande nor the film's music have been recognized by the Academy, a fact that highlights the jury's strategic decisions and changes in focus.

'Train Dreams', a film focused on the performance of Joel Edgerton, also presents paradoxes in the nominations. Despite receiving praise for his performance and being considered one of the strongest films of the year, Edgerton was not nominated in the acting categories. The film is only nominated for best film, highlighting the Academy's preference for the entire project over individual performance in certain cases.

In a historic twist, the latest installment of 'Avatar' is left out of the awards, marking the first time that a film in the James Cameron saga has not received nominations. Traditionally, the franchise's films had considerable weight at the Oscars, both in technique and popularity. This absence reflects a change in the Academy's criteria, which seems to increasingly value original proposals over blockbuster blockbusters.

Table: Main nominations and surprises

In this edition, the Academy has shown its interest in balancing awards between original stories and spectacular productions. Critics highlight that the current trend seeks fairer recognition of independent projects and contained performances, compared to the spectacular nature of large franchises.

The debate over the nominations also shows a turn towards thematic diversity and narrative experimentation. movies like 'Sinners' and 'One battle after another' They represent innovative approaches, while the exclusion of established figures demonstrates that even historical prestige does not guarantee automatic recognition.

The public, for its part, is still very attentive to the Oscars, not only because of the favorite films, but because of the surprises that arise every year. From controversies about forgotten performances to the absence of historical sagas, comments on social networks and specialized media mark the conversation weeks before the event.

Among analysts, the relevance of contained actions stands out compared to visual spectacularity. The lack of nominations for key actors shows that the Academy seeks a balance between artistic merit and popularity, in some cases prioritizing the overall impact of the film over individual performance.

In short, the 2026 Oscars promise a ceremony full of emotions, surprises and debates. With 'Sinners' as a favorite, unexpected absences and historic changes in the consideration of franchises, the Dolby Theater night will be a reflection of the transformation of contemporary cinema and the Academy's criteria in the 21st century.

Frequently asked questions about the Oscars 2026

• What is the most nominated film? 'Sinners' leads the nominations in several categories, including best picture and direction.
• Who are the directors nominated for best director? Chloé Zhao, Josh Safdie, Paul Thomas Anderson, Joachim Trier and Ryan Coogler.
• What great actors were left out? Paul Mescal for 'Hamnet' and Guillermo del Toro for 'Frankenstein' are some of the most commented absences.
• What happened to 'Wicked: For Good'? It did not obtain any nominations, neither for its protagonists nor for its music.
• Why isn't Joel Edgerton nominated? Despite his outstanding performance in 'Train Dreams', the Academy only nominated the film for best film.
• Are there surprises with well-known franchises? Yes, the last installment of 'Avatar' did not obtain nominations, a historic fact for the saga.
• What does the absence of James Cameron reflect? A change in the Academy towards original projects and less focused on large franchises.
• When will the ceremony be? The 98th edition will be held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, although the exact date is not mentioned in this summary.
• Who are the notable supporting actors? Jacob Elordi for 'Frankenstein' is one of the most relevant nominees.
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