Happy Oscar Day to all the nominees! And to all the bitterly disappointed Almost Nominees! Here are the most notable inclusions and omissions among this year’s crop.
See the full list of Oscar nominations here.
Surprise: “I’m Still Here”
The Brazilian drama by director Walter Salles (“Central Station”) deservedly appeared in the Best Film category, having already received nominations for Best International Film and Best Actress (Fernanda Torres). Most experts expected the best picture slot to go to “Sing Sing,” “A Real Pain” or “September 5th.”
Dude: Margaret Qualley
The bold and very game actress from “The Substance” couldn’t quite ride that film’s coattails all the way to nomination morning, missing out on a supporting role.
Surprise: Sebastian Stan
The actor had been in the awards conversation all season — in fact, he won a Golden Globe earlier this month for yet another lead performance, in “A Different Man.” His role as pre-President Donald Trump in “The Apprentice” was tarred as too controversial, but it scored with the Academy, beating out SAG nominee Daniel Craig for “Queer.”
Dude: Daniel Craig
And speaking of Daniel Craig. Although the former 007 was nominated for both a Golden Globe and a SAG Award, he was left out of the Academy’s Best Actor for his vulnerable, heartbroken role as a gay man wandering through Mexico City in “Queer.”
Snub: “Wicked” for Best Adapted Screenplay
The juggernaut Broadway adaptation received 10 nominations, but unexpectedly received no nods for its screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, which is sometimes considered a necessity to win Best Picture.
Dude: Edward Berger
The director of “Conclave,” and an Oscar recipient two years ago for “All Quiet on the Western Front,” didn’t match his Golden Globe and Directors Guild nominations with a spot in the best director category. Coralie Fargeat (“The Substance”) switched places with Berger from the DGA series.
Dude: Denzel Washington
The beloved legend and Academy favorite — he’s been nominated nine times for acting — didn’t make the cut this time for his sly, charming role in Ridley Scott’s sequel “Gladiator II.”
Snub: “Challenger”
Italian director Luca Guadagnino impressed with two films in 2024: both the aforementioned “Queer” and the popular tennis court love triangle “Challengers,” which some had expected to enter the Best Score, Best Song, or Best Film Editing categories.
Snub: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Pamela Anderson, Zendaya, Tilda Swinton, June Squibb
The race for Best Actress was so crowded in 2024 that any one of these exceptional, brave, complex, humane performances could easily have made it to the fifth final in another year.
Snub: “Will and Harper”
The Academy’s documentary division continued its recent tradition of favoring very good international features about conflict zones and social issues, but rejecting films deemed too mainstream, such as this road movie doc about Will Ferrell and his friendship with Harper Steele.
The post 10 Biggest Oscar Snubs and Surprises: From Sebastian Stan to ‘Challengers’ to ‘I’m Still Here’ appeared first TheWrap.
