Hollywood has witnessed a remarkable milestone as Timothée Chalamet officially enters the same elite league as the late cinematic icon Marlon Brando, following the announcement of the 2026 Oscar nominations. This historic achievement places Chalamet, aged 30, as the youngest male actor since Brando to secure three acting nominations from the Academy.
A Prestigious Comparison to a Legend
Chalamet's latest nod comes for his leading role in Marty Supreme, a film that chronicles the inspiring journey of US table tennis player and shoe salesman Marty Reisman, who aspires to conquer the British Open and defeat the reigning Hungarian champion, Bela Kletzki. This nomination marks his third, adding to previous recognitions for the 2017 drama Call Me By Your Name and the 2025 film A Complete Unknown.
Marlon Brando, a towering figure in film history, had already accumulated three Oscar nominations by his 30th birthday, with accolades for A Streetcar Named Desire in 1951, Viva Zapata! in 1952, and Julius Caesar in 1953. Chalamet, who celebrated his 30th birthday just last month, now mirrors this early-career success, underscoring his rapid ascent in the industry.
Competition in the Best Actor Category
In the coveted Best Actor category, Chalamet faces formidable competition from a star-studded lineup. His rivals include Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent. This category is noted for its depth of talent, with Chalamet previously acknowledging the strength of his peers during his Golden Globe acceptance speech.
Since its release last month, Marty Supreme has positioned Chalamet as a frontrunner for awards, with the actor already securing wins at the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes for his portrayal of an aspiring table tennis champion. His performance has been widely praised by critics, further solidifying his status in Hollywood.
Broader Oscar Nominations Highlights
The 2026 Oscar nominations have made history in several respects. Ryan Coogler's film Sinners set a new record by earning 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film, including a nod for Best Picture. This horror flick is among ten films vying for the top prize, with others such as Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and Train Dreams rounding out the field.
Notable Snubs and Surprises
While many celebrated their nominations, the announcement was not without its shocks. Ariana Grande faced a significant snub in the Actress in a Supporting Role category for Wicked: For Good, despite being nominated the previous year for the first Wicked film. Even more surprising, the film was completely shut out of nominations, including misses for co-star Cynthia Erivo in Best Actress and Best Picture categories.
Other notable omissions included Gwyneth Paltrow, who was overlooked for her supporting role in Marty Supreme, and actors like Paul Mescal, Adam Sandler, and Jesse Plemons, who were considered major snubs in the Actor in a Supporting Role category.
Key Categories and Nominees
The Best Actress category features Jessie Buckley for Hamnet as a favourite, competing against Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone. In supporting roles, nominees include Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor.
For Best Director, the field is packed with acclaimed filmmakers: Chloé Zhao, Josh Safdie, Paul Thomas Anderson, Joachim Trier, and Ryan Coogler. A new award for Best Casting has been introduced this year, with nominees including Nina Gold, Jennifer Venditti, Cassandra Kulukundis, Gabriel Domingues, and Francine Maisler.
Technical and Specialised Awards
In technical categories, Sinners continued to dominate with nominations in cinematography, production design, editing, and original score. Best Animated Feature Film nods went to Arco, Elio, KPop Demon Hunters, Little Amelie Or the Character Of Rain, and Zootopia 2, while international features from Brazil, France, Norway, Spain, and Tunisia were recognised.
Other highlights include nominations for visual effects in films like Avatar: Fire and Ash and Jurassic World: Rebirth, and documentary features such as Mr Nobody Against Putin. The breadth of categories underscores the diversity and global reach of this year's Oscar contenders.
As the awards season progresses, all eyes will be on Timothée Chalamet as he vies for Hollywood's highest honour, potentially cementing his legacy alongside greats like Marlon Brando. The 2026 Oscars promise to be a memorable event, celebrating both established icons and emerging talents in the film industry.
