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- How the nominations unfolded for the 98th Academy Awards
- Wicked: For Good — a blockbuster sequel left out of the race
- Actor snubs that raised eyebrows
- Directing upset: Guillermo del Toro not nominated for Best Director
- Animation category choices and the Demon Slayer omission
- International film surprises: Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice
- What to know about the ceremony broadcast
The Academy revealed its picks for the 98th Oscars in a morning broadcast from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, and the reactions on social channels were immediate. Names that fans expected to see were missing from the ballot, while other picks met with predictable applause. Presenters Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman read the nominations live, and the fallout from these choices is still reverberating.
How the nominations unfolded for the 98th Academy Awards
The nominations were announced in a short, live presentation at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman led the reveal, listing contenders across the major categories. The Academy’s selections set the stage for the ceremony that will cap the awards season.
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Wicked: For Good — a blockbuster sequel left out of the race
After the original Wicked film drew big attention at last year’s awards, expectations were high for the sequel. Instead, Wicked: For Good received no Academy Award nominations. Fans had hoped to see Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo recognized for their vocal performances. Costume and production design supporters were also disappointed.
The sequel’s new songs — including “No Place Like Home” and “Girl in the Bubble” — failed to break through this awards season. Competing original songs from titles like Sinners (“I Lied to You”) and KPop Demon Hunters (“Golden”) captured the music nods.
Actor snubs that raised eyebrows
Paul Mescal left off the list
Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet landed multiple nominations, including Best Picture and directing honors for Zhao. Still, Paul Mescal, who portrayed William Shakespeare opposite Jessie Buckley, did not receive an acting nomination. Many viewers called the omission surprising given Mescal’s celebrated performance.
Rising star Chase Infiniti overlooked
One Battle After Another scored a heavy slate of nominations, but one performer’s absence stood out. Chase Infiniti earned praise from critics and nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs. Yet the Academy left Infiniti off the acting roster despite the film’s 13 nominations and a cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn.
Directing upset: Guillermo del Toro not nominated for Best Director
Guillermo del Toro’s take on Frankenstein won attention and earned nine nominations, among them Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Still, del Toro himself was not named in the Best Director category. The omission drew rebukes from critics who had championed the film as a major directorial achievement.
Animation category choices and the Demon Slayer omission
The Academy’s Best Animated Feature shortlist included a varied group:
- Arco
- Elio
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
- Zootopia 2
Notably absent was Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle. The anime earned more than $722 million worldwide and sparked a large cultural conversation. Its exclusion prompted debate about how animation and international anime are treated in awards season.
International film surprises: Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice
Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice had strong festival buzz and Golden Globe nominations. It was also shortlisted by South Korea for Best International Feature. Still, the film did not secure any Academy nominations. Critics and industry observers questioned the Academy’s decisions after this omission.
What to know about the ceremony broadcast
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will air live on March 15 on ABC and stream on Hulu. The nominations announcement closes this chapter of awards season and opens the final countdown to the show.
