The Academy Awards nominations announced Thursday delivered a blend of record-setting dominance, surprise contenders, and a fresh wave of recognition for non-English performances and women directors, while introducing a new category that spotlights the behind-the-scenes art of casting.
The biggest story of the nominations was the sweeping success of “Sinners,” which earned a record 16 nominations—surpassing the longstanding record of 14 held by “All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land.” The film’s nominations spanned major categories, including best picture, director, acting, and technical achievements, signaling the Academy’s strongest endorsement yet for a single film in its history. Among its nominees was acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo, whose best supporting actor nod marked his first Oscar nomination. “Sinners” also gained attention for its presence across multiple categories, suggesting it could dominate the awards ceremony when winners are announced on March 15.
The nominations also highlighted several notable breakthroughs and surprises. The racing drama “F1” secured a best picture nomination, defying expectations and underscoring the Academy’s growing openness to genre films. Kate Hudson returned to Oscar contention with a best actress nomination for “Song Sung Blue,” her first nod since 2001’s “Almost Famous.” In another significant development, “Hamnet” earned recognition across multiple major categories, including best picture, director and acting nods, while director Chloé Zhao achieved a milestone as the 11th woman ever nominated for directing in the Oscars’ 98-year history. Zhao also became only the third woman to receive multiple directing nominations, joining Kathryn Bigelow and Jane Campion.
However, the nominations also featured a list of perceived snubs, with high-profile films and performers failing to earn recognition. “Wicked: For Good” was notably absent from the nominations, leaving Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo without a nod. Paul Mescal missed a supporting actor nomination for “Hamnet,” and other notable omissions included Jesse Plemons for “Bugonia,” Jennifer Lawrence for “Die My Love,” and Miley Cyrus for her song in “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Several films that had generated early awards buzz, including “Is This Thing On?,” “Jay Kelly,” and “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” were also ignored, while Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” failed to receive a nomination in the international feature category.
The nominations also reflected a significant shift toward global representation, with a record four non-English language performances nominated for acting awards. Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Wagner Moura, Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård made history, surpassing the previous record of three set in 1976. Meanwhile, “The Secret Agent” and “Sentimental Value” became the 12th and 13th non-English films to earn nominations in both international feature and best picture in the same year—following in the footsteps of “Parasite,” the only film to win both categories.
In a major institutional change, the Academy also announced the introduction of a new award for achievement in casting, the first new category added since best animated feature film in 2001. The new category formally recognizes casting directors’ contributions to shaping a film’s creative vision and success, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of the role casting plays in storytelling and representation.
The full list of nominees across categories further underscored the diversity and breadth of the Academy’s selections, from blockbuster franchises like “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Jurassic World Rebirth” to intimate dramas such as “Sentimental Value,” “Hamnet,” and “Bugonia.” With the Oscars ceremony set for March 15, the nominations have already reshaped the awards narrative, setting the stage for a season that may be remembered as much for its historic milestones as for its unexpected snubs.
