Each Oscar season has its dose of drama, but the 2025 nominations could be the most unpredictable in recent history. From global underdogs making it big to Hollywood titans being shut out, this year’s reveal turned projections upside down. Read on for 10 of the most jaw-dropping surprises and harsh snubs driving headlines and Twitter meltdowns.
10. SNUB: Denis Villeneuve Gets Overlooked for “Dune: Part Two” (Best Director)
Even though “Dune: Part Two” was a technical and critical success, Denis Villeneuve was again excluded from the Best Director category. To fans and industry folk, it’s a puzzling repeat of the original film’s Oscar destiny. As the Los Angeles Times pointed out, it’s the second time the director has been locked out for directing the epic franchise, leading many to speculate if the Academy is holding back their affection for him to potentially wrap up a trilogy.
9. SURPRISE: Sebastian Stan Gets a Mention for Portraying Trump in (Best Actor)
Sebastian Stan’s hotly debated makeover into young Donald Trump in The Apprentice turned heads, but no one anticipated that it would garner him a Best Actor nomination. A mix of timely relevance, Stan’s subtle performance, and some well-timed strategic media silence provided his campaign with just the right amount of heat to propel him into the final five, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
8. SNUB: Nicole Kidman’s Daring Shift in “Babygirl” Falls Short (Best Actress)
Nicole Kidman’s bold performance in the psychological thriller Babygirl won her early awards and recognition, including a victory from the National Board of Review. But on Oscar morning, she wasn’t anywhere to be seen. The packed field and the movie’s confusing messages probably didn’t help. As the Los Angeles Times wrote, this is another of Kidman’s bold roles that could win more respect over time.
7. SURPRISE: James Mangold Crashes Best Director Slate for “A Complete Unknown”
While James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic won critical kudos, not many predicted that it would propel him into the famously chancy Best Director competition. The Los Angeles Times described the nod as a welcome surprise, particularly inasmuch as it defies the customary union with the Directors Guild nominations.
6. SNUB: Marianne Jean-Baptiste is Snubbed for “Hard Truths” (Best Actress)
Critics lavished Marianne Jean-Baptiste with accolades—and awards—for her turn in Hard Truths, but the Academy excluded her. She had already received big wins at the New York, Los Angeles, and National Society of Film Critics, so this snub was particularly difficult to swallow. In a crowded year for lead actresses, Jean-Baptiste’s remarkable work somehow fell through the cracks.
5. SURPRISE: “The Substance” Piles Up Five Nominations, Including Best Picture
Demi Moore’s return vehicle, The Substance, caused ripples this year, but no one was predicting the film would take five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Coralie Fargeat. Today, referenced Moore’s recent Golden Globe victory as a potential lifeline, enabling the body horror thriller to break through in a major way.
4. SNUB: Daniel Craig’s Career-High in “Queer” Receives Zero Oscar Love (Best Actor)
Daniel Craig’s transformation in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer had critics buzzing, but the Academy didn’t bite. His bold and vulnerable performance, which had earned attention from multiple critics’ circles, was left without a nomination. As the Los Angeles Times noted, the film’s slow pace may have dulled its impact with voters.
3. SURPRISE: Fernanda Torres Breaks Through for “I’m Still Here” (Best Actress)
Fernanda Torres wasn’t a lock in the Best Actress conversation until her Golden Globe win shook up the race. That late momentum paid off, earning her a surprise nomination for her powerful role in Brazil’s I’m Still Here. According to the Los Angeles Times, a surge in industry buzz and Academy viewership in the final stretch helped cement her place on the ballot.
2. SNUB: Denzel Washington Snubbed for “Gladiator II” (Best Actor)
A two-time Oscar winner and constant contender, Denzel Washington was all but guaranteed a nomination for Gladiator II. But the Academy had otherwise decided, with the film only getting a nod for costuming. As Today noted, it’s a surprising snub to one of the best-decorated actors of his era.
1. SURPRISE: “I’m Still Here” Shocks with a Best Picture Nomination
Few Oscar watchers had the Brazilian drama I’m Still Here on their Best Picture predictions, but the film’s emotional resonance and Fernanda Torres’ rising profile helped it cross the finish line. Vanity Fair called the nomination a “riveting surprise” that capped off a wild morning of announcements—and signaled the Academy’s continued embrace of global cinema.
With heartthrobs benched and surprise title contenders flying high, the 2025 Oscar nominations brought a rollercoaster of feelings. Whether these decisions stand the test of awards night will be an event to watch, but one thing’s certain—the Academy is more unpredictable than ever.