The 98th Academy Awards nominations, announced Thursday, delivered their fair share of surprises and upsets, with some of the season’s biggest names missing from key categories and a few unexpected stars earning recognition. The nominations list immediately sparked debate across the industry, highlighting how unpredictable Oscar voting can be.
A notable exclusion was Wicked: For Good, the sequel to the 2024 musical sensation. Although the original Wicked received 10 nominations and won two awards last year, the sequel was completely overlooked, a choice that puzzled many considering its significant fan base and box office success. Both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who were anticipated to be strong contenders following earlier nominations in the awards season, were absent from this year's list, surprising both fans and critics.
Irish actor Paul Mescal was also notably missing. Despite receiving critical acclaim and being a strong contender for a second Oscar nomination for his performance in Hamnet, Mescal did not receive a supporting actor nod. This unexpected omission surprised many who had been tracking his awards season progress following his earlier accolades for Aftersun.
Conversely, certain additions were also widely discussed. Kate Hudson received a Best Actress nomination for her role in Song Sung Blue, marking her first recognition in this category and a notable comeback in the awards season over twenty years after her initial Oscar acknowledgment. The nomination was met with acclaim from both industry insiders and social media. Delroy Lindo also secured his first Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Sinners, a film that set a new record with an impressive 16 nominations, the highest ever for a single film at the Academy Awards.
Despite impressive performances throughout the season, other anticipated candidates like Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and George Clooney were left out. Meanwhile, standout performances from emerging talents and films with several nominations are continuing to influence what is expected to be an intriguing awards competition.
The Oscars are set to take place on March 15, with Conan O’Brien making a return as the host. While conversations about overlooked films and unexpected nominations persist, the list of nominees has once again sparked wider discussions about preferences, promotional efforts, and the criteria for winning Hollywood's top honors.