The 98th Academy Awards return on 16 March, drawing Hollywood’s biggest stars to the Dolby Theatre for another night of glamour and cinematic celebration. Yet even before the ceremony begins, the nominations have already sparked widespread debate among fans and critics.
The blockbuster musical Wicked: For Good received a complete shutout, while the horror movie Sinners dominated the nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods. Several high-profile actors were also overlooked.
The absence of Wicked: For Good from nominations surprised many observers, particularly because the first film, Wicked, earned multiple nominations and awards. With internationally recognised performers such as Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande leading the cast, many had expected the sequel to receive at least some recognition from the Academy.
Michelle Yeoh, the Oscar-winning actress that portrayed Madame Morrible in both movies, expressed her shock in an interview with Variety on 12 February. “It’s such a beautiful, well-made movie… So I was truly, truly very disappointed”, she states.
The horror movie Sinners has also sparked significant debate after receiving a record-breaking 16 nominations, surpassing the previous highs set by Titanic and La La Land. The achievement is particularly surprising given that horror films have always struggled to gain recognition from the Academy. Therefore, the film’s success may signal a shift in the Academy’s tastes and suggest a growing openness to genre filmmaking.
Several high-profile actors were also notably absent from the nominations. Among the most discussed omissions were Paul Mescal and Emily Blunt, who many had predicted would secure nominations for their performances in Hamnet and The Smashing Machine, respectively. Both actors had received strong reviews during the awards season, making their absence from the final list particularly unexpected.
These snubs have reignited the long-standing debate about the unpredictability of Oscar nominations and the complex dynamics behind them. Factors such as strong competition within crowded categories and the preferences of Academy voters can all influence the final shortlist. As a result, even widely praised performances by well-established actors do not always translate into nominations.
Overall, the upcoming ceremony promises tight competition and several interesting decisions from the Academy.
