The glittering world of Hollywood awards season has been jolted by a wave of notable omissions, as the nominations for the 2026 Critics Choice Awards were unveiled on Friday. While films like 'Sinners' and 'Frankenstein' emerged as frontrunners, the announcement was equally defined by who was left out, sparking debate and disappointment.
High-Profile Snubs Dominate Headlines
Perhaps the most talked-about exclusion is that of Cynthia Erivo, the lead actress of the blockbuster musical 'Wicked: For Good'. Despite the film securing a Best Picture nod and a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her co-star Ariana Grande, Erivo's celebrated performance as Elphaba was overlooked. This division is particularly striking given the duo's highly publicised close friendship throughout the film's promotional tour.
She is not alone in her surprise. In the much-discussed 'Marty Supreme', Timothée Chalamet earned a Best Actor nomination, but his esteemed co-star Gwyneth Paltrow failed to make the shortlist. Similarly, Hailee Steinfeld was excluded from the acting categories despite her film 'Sinners' amassing a leading 17 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Ryan Coogler, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan.
Oscar Isaac and Paul Mescal Overlooked in Packed Field
Guillermo del Toro's lavish adaptation of 'Frankenstein' proved to be a major player with 11 nominations, including Best Picture and a supporting nod for Jacob Elordi. However, its leading man, Oscar Isaac, who portrays Dr. Frankenstein, was conspicuously absent from the Best Actor race.
The same fate befell Paul Mescal in Chloe Zhao's 'Hamnet', which also scored 11 nominations. While Zhao is up for Best Director and Jessie Buckley for Best Actress, Mescal's turn as William Shakespeare was not recognised. Furthermore, several Best Picture contenders, including 'Train Dreams', 'Bugonia', and 'Wicked: For Good', saw their directors—Clint Bentley, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Jon M. Chu respectively—miss out on a Best Director nomination.
Other Notable Omissions and Surprises
The surprises extended beyond the acting categories. This year's Cannes Palme d'Or winner, 'It Was Just an Accident' by Jafar Panahi, was confined to the Best Foreign Language Film category and shut out of the major races. In contrast, Joachim Trier's Norwegian-language film 'Sentimental Value' secured slots in top categories.
Blockbuster fare had a muted presence, with the latest 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' only managing a nomination for Best Visual Effects. On the television side, despite consistent online buzz, 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' was omitted from the Best Talk Show category.
The ceremony, to be hosted for a fourth consecutive time by Chelsea Handler, is scheduled for January 4 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The full list of nominees confirms a highly competitive year, where celebration for some is tempered by pointed disappointment for others.
