Following the much-anticipatedOscarnominations this morning, people are beginning to comment on some of the major snubs. After not one but two delays, the2025 Oscar nominationswere finally announced today, January 23, at 8:30am EST/5:30am PST. Leading the pack isEmilia Pérez, which received 13 nominations in total.The BrutalistandWickedwere close behind, with 10 nominations each. Other movies vying for major awards includeConclave,Dune: Part Two,I’m Still Here,Sing Sing, andNickel Boys, among others.
While there is a lot for fans to celebrate among this year’s nomination pool, people have also beenquick to point out some of this year’s most major snubs. One of the most-pointed-out snubs was Denis Villeneuve,who was not nominated for Best Director forDune: Part Twodespite it getting a Best Picture nomination. The acting categories were also particular points of contention, with fans up and arms about snubs for Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Check out some of the initial reactions below:
Villeneuve’s supporters cannot believe he was shut out again, such as @batsdune, who writes “Denis Villeneuve snubbed once again but nominated for Best Picture. Do they think that movie directed itself?”
@watchwithdiyaechoes this disappointment, voicing their support for Villeneuve.
Another surprise was Daniel Craig, who was at one time considered a lock to be nominated for Best Actor forQueer.@opngaterefers to this snub as a “tragedy.”
As for the Best Actresses, many are upset that Angelina Jolie did not get nominated for her work inMaria. Posting a series of images from the film,@ZakRed567says that they will “never forget the way oscars snubbed” the actor.
@atelierejolieadds “angelina jolie, the academy didn’t acknowledge your talent this time and for that i will avenge you.”
@Shankballsweighs in on the Best Actress race as well, noting the Academy’s snub ofHard Truthsactor Marianne Jean-Baptiste. The user comments “What more does a black woman have to do be acknowledged by the Academy????”
Nicole Kidman was also left out of Best Actress for her role inBabygirl, which enraged supporters like@sick_muse. This user notes not onlyBabygirl, but several other “daring performance[s]” for which Kidman was denied an Oscar nomination, includingEyes Wide Shut,Dogville, andThe Paperboy.
Though less expected as a nominee, another person left out was Margaret Qualley for Best Supporting Actress forThe Substance, which@dojasbinnotes.
In a smaller category, some felt it shocking thatChallengersdid not receive a nomination for Best Original Score, including@isaacfeldberg, who writes that Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor’s snubs were “ridiculous.”
@kylebuchananalso wishes for aChallengersscore nomination, saying “I feared days like this would come” in reaction to the news.
The coveted Best Picture category is always contested in the Oscars.@wengelllexpresses a common disappointment aboutSing Sing’s snub, despite the film being nominated for Best Actor, Best Original Song, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
@izzykxteaddsA Real Painto this Best Picture snubs list, writing “no sing sing or a real pain best picture nominations” above a gif showing discontentment.
What These Snubs Mean For The Oscars
The Best Actress Race Was Extremely Competitive
It is telling thatthree of the major snubs were in the Best Actress category. This particular group was such a competitive lineup this year. For months, Cynthia Ervio, Mikey Madison, and Karla Sofía Gascón were considered locks in the category.The Substancethen came up from behind as it gained momentum with more awards nominations, puttingDemi Moorein a good position for Best Actress. This left other major performers vying for a single up-in-the-air spot for Best Actress, which ultimately went toFernanda Torres forI’m Still Here.
Why Challengers Didn’t Get Any Oscar Nominations Despite The Hype
The buzzy Luca Guadagnino movie Challengers was completely shut out at the Oscars, and there are many factors that may have led to it being snubbed.
Best Director was one of the most anticipated and fraught categories in this year’s awards. While he was nominated for Best Director forArrival, Villeneuve was not nominated for the award forDunein 2021, despite the film’s significant award attention. This upset sci-fi fans, many of whom were hoping that Villeneuve would finally get the academy recognition he deserved for the second installment. This did not happen, explaining the widespread upset over this snub.
Our Take On The Oscar Snubs
It Has Been An Unpredictable Year
All of these 2025 Oscar complaints are, to me, a reminder of just how unpredictable this year was for film. Five months ago, many expectedGladiator IIto be one of the most-nominated films of the year; now, it has a single nomination for Best Costume Design. I also did not expect to see a Best Picture race whereinNickel BoysandI’m Still Herewould both be nominated. It will be interesting to see what eventually wins at this year’sOscarswhen they occur on March 2.
The Oscars
Cast
The Oscars, first held in 1929, is an annual American awards ceremony honoring achievements in the film industry. Winners across multiple categories receive a statuette officially named the Academy Award of Merit, commonly known as the Oscar.
