The 2026 Oscars have officially kicked off, and with it, a whirlwind of surprises and snubs has taken center stage. Variety's senior art director Jazz Tangcay recently shared his take on the record-breaking 16 nominations for "Sinners", which now sit alongside other heavy-hitters in the running for the coveted golden statuette.
As Tangcay pointed out, the international field is looking fiercer than ever, making it a tough road ahead for those vying for Oscar glory. But some notable names were noticeably absent from the nominations list, sparking debate among fans and industry insiders alike.
While "Sinners" took the top spot with an astonishing 16 nods, including Best Picture and Director, Tangcay couldn't help but express his surprise at a few snubs. One name that raised eyebrows was that of Cate Blanchett, one of the most respected actresses in the industry, who found herself surprisingly overlooked.
Other notable snubs included Olivia Colman, who had been seen as a frontrunner for Best Actress, and Adam Driver, whose performance in "The Passenger" earned him widespread critical acclaim. The question on everyone's mind now is: what happened to these talented artists?
For Tangcay, it all boils down to the tough competition. "There are just so many incredible films out there this year," he noted. "It's going to be a real battle for the top prizes." As award season hurtles towards its climax, one thing is certain: only time will tell which film will emerge victorious and claim the coveted Oscar title.
In the meantime, fans can rest assured that it's shaping up to be an unforgettable year for cinema. With so many exceptional films vying for attention, the 2026 Oscars are sure to deliver a thrilling ride of surprises, snubs, and accolades.
As Tangcay pointed out, the international field is looking fiercer than ever, making it a tough road ahead for those vying for Oscar glory. But some notable names were noticeably absent from the nominations list, sparking debate among fans and industry insiders alike.
While "Sinners" took the top spot with an astonishing 16 nods, including Best Picture and Director, Tangcay couldn't help but express his surprise at a few snubs. One name that raised eyebrows was that of Cate Blanchett, one of the most respected actresses in the industry, who found herself surprisingly overlooked.
Other notable snubs included Olivia Colman, who had been seen as a frontrunner for Best Actress, and Adam Driver, whose performance in "The Passenger" earned him widespread critical acclaim. The question on everyone's mind now is: what happened to these talented artists?
For Tangcay, it all boils down to the tough competition. "There are just so many incredible films out there this year," he noted. "It's going to be a real battle for the top prizes." As award season hurtles towards its climax, one thing is certain: only time will tell which film will emerge victorious and claim the coveted Oscar title.
In the meantime, fans can rest assured that it's shaping up to be an unforgettable year for cinema. With so many exceptional films vying for attention, the 2026 Oscars are sure to deliver a thrilling ride of surprises, snubs, and accolades.
I mean, Cate Blanchett is like a institution in Hollywood, you can't just leave her out! 
And Olivia Colman too, she was so strong this year... I'm so confused about Adam Driver, he killed it in "The Passenger", how did they overlook him?! 
It's gonna be such an intense competition at the Oscars, I love it! 
But seriously, who do you think will take home those golden statues? 
. We get so caught up in our own perspectives that we might overlook the incredible people and opportunities around us. So instead of focusing on who didn't make the list, let's take a step back and appreciate all the hard work being put into these films 
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it's not like they made a movie in a cave or something. but seriously, what's up with cate blanchett tho? she's one of the best actresses out there and gets snubbed? that just doesn't add up, fam 
!! i mean shes literally one of the best actresses out there 
and i would've totally put her in my top 5 for best actress lol! what do u guys think happened? was it just a case of a super competitive year or is there something else going on 
anyone else think it's the competition tho? 
there are so many amazing films out this year it's hard to pick a fave 
i mean, sinners is def one of them though 
, but I gotta say, some of those snubs have me scratching my head 
. And Adam Driver's performance in "The Passenger" was seriously underrated – it's crazy how that happens 
. Still, I'm hyped to see which films will come out on top and who'll take home that Oscar trophy 
. It's gonna be a wild ride! 
I mean, she's been in some great films before but this year was supposed to be her year 
.
and adam driver's performance in "the passenger" was so underrated 
i guess we'll just have to wait till the oscars to see what happens 
That's some weird snubbing right there. I need to see the source for this, where's her name on Variety's top 10 predictions list? 
And Olivia Colman too? Didn't she star in that popular series everyone was raving about last year? 
I need more info on why these snubs happened, not just "tough competition" as Tangcay said. Where's the breakdown of the voting process? 
it's like there are just so many amazing films out there and the competition is getting fiercer by the day
. You gotta wonder who's pulling the strings behind the scenes to decide who gets recognized and who doesn't 
like what even is going on over at the Oscars? I mean, I know the competition is fierce, but 16 nominations for "Sinners" is just wild 
Meanwhile, Olivia Colman is just sitting here collecting her thoughts and wondering what she did wrong 
. But hey, at least it's going to be a tough battle for the top prizes, so bring it on? 
I'm low-key surprised to see Cate Blanchett snubbed this year! She's been killing it in her roles and always gives an incredible performance 
As for Adam Driver, his acting skills are undeniably impressive, maybe he'll get his due at the Golden Globes instead? 