The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has spoken, and the 2026 Golden Globe nominations are serving up equal parts validation and chaos. While some expected contenders sailed through to recognition, others were left standing in the cold, champagne glass empty. From shock snubs to delightful surprises, this year’s nominations prove that predicting awards season is still anyone’s game.
The Snubs That Have Everyone Talking
Wicked Gets Wickedly Shut Out
Perhaps the most shocking omission? The highly anticipated “Wicked: For Good” failed to conjure a Best Picture nomination despite massive box office numbers and passionate fan support. Similarly, “Jay Kelly” missed the cut entirely, leaving two crowd-pleasers that seemed destined for glory unexpectedly grounded.
Sweeney’s Shut Out
Sydney Sweeney’s awards buzz for “Christy” also failed to materialize into an actual nomination. Whether the film’s underwhelming box office performance or limited cultural impact played a role remains up for debate, though some wonder if the hype machine simply ran ahead of the actual product.
Bradley Cooper and Superman Can’t Save the Day
Bradley Cooper’s latest directorial effort “Is This Thing On?” was completely overlooked, despite Laura Dern delivering what many considered a standout performance. Even more surprising, “Superman” couldn’t muscle its way into the new Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category—apparently flying high at the box office isn’t enough unless you’re clearing that magical $1 billion threshold.
The beloved miniseries “Long Bright River” saw Amanda Seyfried score a nomination, but co-star Wunmi Mosaku wasn’t as fortunate. Despite being the emotional core of hit vampire film “Sinners” and taking home a Gotham Award, Mosaku was left off the supporting actress list.
Other notable absences include HBO’s lavish period drama “The Gilded Age,” which couldn’t translate its celebrated ensemble cast into nominations, and “Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man,” breaking the franchise’s streak after the first two films earned recognition. Gwyneth Paltrow’s big-screen return in “Marty Supreme” also failed to impress voters, despite marking her first major role since 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.”
The Surprises That Made Us Do a Double-Take
Jacob Elordi’s Double Nomination Domination
The Australian heartthrob proved he’s more than just a pretty face by scoring acting nominations for two completely different projects. While his portrayal of The Creature in “Frankenstein” was expected to generate awards attention, his work in the miniseries “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” caught many off guard—in the best possible way.
Amanda Seyfried also joined the double-nomination club, reminding voters of her impressive range across both film and television this year.
Indie Darlings Breaking Through
Eva Victor’s nomination for “Sorry, Baby” represents exactly the kind of indie breakthrough story that makes awards season exciting. The little film that could just scored major recognition, proving you don’t need a massive marketing budget to make an impact.
Similarly unexpected was “The Girlfriend,” an Amazon Prime Video limited series that flew completely under the radar during awards predictions. Both the show and star Robin Wright earned nominations despite minimal buzz from industry pundits.
Veterans Still Have It
Helen Mirren continues her television renaissance with a nomination for “MobLand,” following her 2024 Globe nod for “1923.” Dame Helen proves once again that talent and screen presence never go out of style.
Ashley Walters earned recognition for his understated but powerful work in “Adolescence,” demonstrating that voters can appreciate quiet, soulful performances even on ensemble shows packed with flashier roles.
The Category That Keeps Getting Weirder
The Box Office Achievement category delivered perhaps the strangest moment of nominations morning when “KPop Demon Hunters” scored a nod—despite not having a proper theatrical release. Netflix’s victory lap sing-along screening apparently counted enough to qualify, raising eyebrows and questions about what exactly this category is meant to celebrate.
Meanwhile, “Blue Moon” finally caught up to star Ethan Hawke’s individual success, earning a Best Motion Picture nomination after Hawke had already been surging through the acting race.
What This All Means
These nominations remind us that awards season remains delightfully unpredictable. The Golden Globes have always marched to the beat of their own drum, and 2026 is no exception. Whether these choices signal broader Academy Awards trends or represent the Globes’ unique taste remains to be seen.
One thing’s certain: between now and ceremony night, there will be plenty of heated debates, impassioned defenses, and maybe even a few “I told you so” moments. That’s exactly what makes awards season so addictively entertaining.
The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony airs soon—prepare for an evening of celebration, surprises, and perhaps a few pointed jokes about these very snubs.
