The Most Shocking Snubs and Surprises from the 2025 Oscar Nominations


The 2025 Oscar nominations were filled with both surprises and major snubs.

While some names appeared where they were expected, others were glaringly absent, leaving fans and critics scratching their heads. Here’s a breakdown of the most surprising exclusions and unexpected inclusions from this year’s list:


SNUB: Angelina Jolie (Best Actress, Maria)

Despite an acclaimed performance in Maria, Pablo Larraín’s biopic about opera legend Maria Callas, Angelina Jolie’s absence from the Best Actress race was one of the most painful snubs. Her transformation into Callas was widely praised, yet the Academy overlooked her, leaving a void where a deserving nomination should have been.


SNUB: Danielle Deadwyler (Best Supporting Actress, The Piano Lesson)

After being snubbed in 2022 for Till, Danielle Deadwyler faced a similar fate this year for her powerful performance in The Piano Lesson. Despite recognition from critics groups, the Academy failed to acknowledge her work, highlighting the ongoing struggle for Black actresses in the industry.


SNUB: Selena Gomez (Best Supporting Actress, Emilia Pérez)

Selena Gomez’s early buzz for Emilia Pérez fizzled out after missing key nominations, including at the SAG Awards. Although she won Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actress award alongside her co-stars, she failed to secure a spot in the Oscar race.


SNUB: The Last Showgirl (Pamela Anderson & Jamie Lee Curtis)

The Last Showgirl was expected to make waves at the Oscars, especially with stellar performances by Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis. However, the film went home empty-handed. Anderson’s remarkable evolution from TV icon to respected actress, and Curtis’s BAFTA and SAG nominations, should have earned them both Oscar nods.


SNUB: Nicole Kidman (Best Actress, Babygirl)

Nicole Kidman was expected to make an impact in Babygirl, but after being shut out by the SAG and BAFTA awards, her Oscar chances slipped away. Her omission, despite being a longstanding Academy favorite, is a noteworthy snub.


SURPRISE: Monica Barbaro (Best Supporting Actress, A Complete Unknown)

Monica Barbaro’s nomination for her role in A Complete Unknown was one of the most unexpected of the morning. Despite limited early buzz, her standout performance as Joan Baez in the Bob Dylan biopic earned her an Oscar nomination, proving that underdog films can still break through.


SNUB: Margaret Qualley (Best Supporting Actress, The Substance)

Margaret Qualley’s gripping performance in The Substance was largely ignored by the Academy. Despite being a standout on the awards circuit, including Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations, Qualley failed to make the cut for Best Supporting Actress.


SNUB: Beautiful That Way (Best Original Song, The Last Showgirl)

Despite receiving Golden Globe recognition, The Last Showgirl’s haunting ballad “Beautiful That Way,” penned by Miley Cyrus, Lykke Li, and Andrew Wyatt, was shockingly left off the Oscar shortlist for Best Original Song.


SNUB: Daniel Craig (Best Actor, Queer)

Despite nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTA, Daniel Craig was snubbed for his complex performance in Queer. His portrayal of an American expat in Mexico City failed to resonate with Oscar voters, despite critical acclaim.


SNUB: Edward Berger (Best Director, Conclave)

Conclave was a major contender this year with multiple nominations, yet director Edward Berger’s omission from the Best Director category was baffling. His absence leaves a major gap in what was once seen as a surefire contender for multiple awards.


SNUB: Kiss the Sky (Best Original Song, The Wild Robot)

Maren Morris’s “Kiss the Sky” from The Wild Robot was expected to land an Oscar nomination after being shortlisted and receiving Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations. However, the song failed to make the final cut, leaving fans and critics confused.


SNUB: Challengers Score

Despite being one of the most innovative original scores of 2024, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s work on Challengers was overlooked by the Academy. This marks a missed opportunity to recognize a truly unique musical contribution to film.


SURPRISE: Nickel Boys (Best Adapted Screenplay)

Nickel Boys, often overlooked in the past, earned a surprise nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Its script, by RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes, stood out among the competition, making a strong statement for the representation of Black-led stories in Hollywood.


These snubs and surprises show just how unpredictable the Oscars can be, even for the most seasoned contenders. Be sure to tune in on March 2, 2025, to see who takes home the gold!


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