The 2026 Actor Awards nominations have ignited fervent discussions across Hollywood, primarily due to a stunning and unexpected shutout of non-English language films and performances. This decision by the SAG-AFTRA nominating committee has left many industry observers questioning the direction of this crucial precursor to the Oscars, especially as domestic favorites like One Battle After Another and Sinners dramatically dominated the nominations. This comprehensive analysis dives deep into the major snubs, the surprise contenders, and what these nominations might signal for the upcoming Academy Awards.
A Staggering Shutout: The International Snub That Shocked Hollywood
The 2026 Actor Awards (formerly known as the SAG Awards) nominations have undeniably created a stir, but not for the reasons many anticipated. The 2,500-member SAG-AFTRA nominating committee delivered a jarring blow to international cinema. They allocated not a single nomination to non-English language films or their performers. This complete exclusion came as a significant surprise, especially considering the strong buzz around several foreign contenders and the committee’s recent history of recognizing global talent.
Overlooked Gems: The Expected Nominees That Vanished
Several highly acclaimed international films and performances were widely tipped for nominations, only to be left entirely out. The Norwegian drama Sentimental Value was a frontrunner for Best Ensemble. Its cast members Renate Reinsve (Best Actress) and Stellan Skarsgard (Best Supporting Actor) were also expected to contend individually. Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas were considered strong possibilities for Best Supporting Actress from the same film. Additionally, Wagner Moura’s captivating performance in The Secret Agent seemed a “safe bet” for Best Actor. He had already garnered top honors at the Cannes Film Festival and from the New York Film Critics. Yet, every one of these highly anticipated international contenders came up short in the Actor Awards.
A Troubling Reversal: Past Inclusions vs. Present Exclusions
This stark “America First” trend marks a puzzling departure from recent Actor Awards history. Just six years ago, the very same voting body not only nominated the Korean-language masterpiece Parasite for Best Ensemble but also awarded it the top prize. This was a pivotal moment on its path to an historic Best Picture Oscar win. More recently, last year saw the Spanish-language Emilia Pérez secure nominations for Best Ensemble and two acting awards, ultimately winning one. While the vast majority of SAG-AFTRA members are American, this hasn’t historically prevented recognition of outstanding global performances. This sudden shift has prompted critical analysis and industry-wide head-scratching. Some have called it a “stunning” and “Trump era ‘America First'” approach to the awards season. Distributors like Neon, which garnered a leading 21 Golden Globe nominations, received zero Actor Awards nominations, highlighting the disconnect.
Domestic Dominance: The Films That Triumphed at the Actor Awards
While international cinema faced an unprecedented snub, a handful of domestic productions surged ahead. They secured a substantial number of nominations. These films now stand as the undeniable frontrunners for the Actor Awards’ top honors, potentially setting the stage for their Oscar campaigns.
One Battle After Another: Leading the Pack with Record Nominations
Dominating the film categories, One Battle After Another secured a remarkable and record-breaking seven nominations. This widespread recognition covered every major acting category. It earned nods for Best Ensemble, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Actress (Chase Infiniti in her debut role), Best Supporting Actor (Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn), and Best Supporting Actress (Teyana Taylor). Its strong performance here solidifies its status as a major force this awards season, building on its sweep of earlier critics’ awards.
Sinners: From Expected Wins to Surprising Breakthroughs
The crime drama Sinners also made a significant impact, landing five nominations. While its nods for Best Ensemble and Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor were largely anticipated, the film achieved surprising breakthroughs. Newcomer Miles Caton earned an unexpected nomination for Best Supporting Actor in his first film role. Wunmi Mosaku’s nod for Best Supporting Actress was also considered a significant, unassured achievement. This strong showing positions Sinners as a formidable contender.
Other Major Players: Marty Supreme and Hamnet
Two other films consistently appeared across the Actor Awards nominations. Marty Supreme earned expected recognition for Best Ensemble and Timothée Chalamet in the Best Actor category, further boosting its profile. A pleasant surprise came with Odessa A’zion’s nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Similarly, Hamnet performed as anticipated, securing a Best Ensemble nomination alongside nods for its principal stars, Jessie Buckley (Best Actress) and Paul Mescal (Best Supporting Actor). Focus Features had a strong showing, securing three of the five lead actress slots.
Individual Spotlight: Rising Stars and Notable Performances
Beyond the ensemble and major film categories, several individual performances captured the nominating committee’s attention. These offered intriguing insights into potential Oscar trajectories.
Jacob Elordi’s Ascendancy: A Strong Contender Emerges
Perhaps no individual had more cause for celebration than Jacob Elordi from Frankenstein (also a Best Ensemble nominee). Following an unexpected Critics Choice Award win for Best Supporting Actor, Elordi now appears to be a very strong possibility to repeat his success at the Actor Awards. The absence of Stellan Skarsgard in his category, coupled with two One Battle After Another actors potentially splitting votes, could further pave the way for his victory. This makes Paul Mescal a “sleeper” contender to watch.
Surprising Nods and Unforeseen Snubs
Bugonia, a somewhat polarizing film, outperformed expectations by securing Best Actor and Best Actress nominations for Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone, respectively. These acclaimed performers, often lauded as “actors’ actors,” demonstrate the committee’s appreciation for craft. However, the committee’s choices also raised eyebrows with specific omissions. The complete snub of two excellent films largely centered on the challenges faced by actors – Sentimental Value and Jay Kelly – was particularly perplexing. Even Adam Sandler, recognized for one of the best performances of his career in Jay Kelly, failed to secure a nomination. This was despite his previous nomination three years prior for Hustle. This oversight by a voting body composed exclusively of actors remains a point of contention.
The Oscar Crossover Conundrum: Solo Nominees
An interesting trend to observe is the presence of five acting nominees who are the sole representatives from their respective films. These include Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Ariana Grande (Wicked), and Amy Madigan (Weapons). Given the Academy’s recent tendency towards “coattail voting” – favoring actors from Best Picture nominees – it’s likely that a few of these solo nominees might struggle to secure an Oscar nod. Conversely, Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal (both for Hamnet), along with Australian stars Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein) and Rose Byrne (playing an American in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), signal a slight “breaking of the international curse” in individual categories, albeit for English-language performances.
A Different Path to the Oscars? Predicting Academy Choices
The significant divergence between the Actor Awards nominations and broader industry expectations, particularly regarding international films, sets the stage for a potentially very different Academy Award announcement on January 22nd.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with 25 percent of its members based outside the U.S., tends to have a more global perspective. This was evident last year when, for instance, Fernanda Torres of I’m Still Here received an Oscar nomination despite being snubbed by the Actor Awards. Many pundits anticipate a similar pattern this year. Strong international contenders like Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent are likely to find more favor with Oscar voters. Industry analysts expect a significant “divide” between these Actor Awards nominations and the upcoming Oscar nominations.
Beyond Film: Television Recognition and a Rebranding Effort
While film nominations dominated headlines, the 2026 Actor Awards also honored outstanding television performances. The ceremony, scheduled for March 1st, will also serve as a platform for legendary actor Harrison Ford to receive this year’s life achievement award. This unique honor underscores his enduring impact on cinema.
It’s important to note the official rebranding of the SAG Awards to the “Actor Awards” in November. Showrunner Jon Brockett and SAG-AFTRA’s Awards Committee chair JoBeth Williams explained this change as a “perfect next step in the show’s evolution.” The iconic statuette has always been known as “The Actor.” Aligning the show’s name aims to provide clearer recognition for its core mission: honoring actors in both film and television for domestic and global audiences. This “laser-focus” on the actor is intended for the show’s new chapter.
On the television side, shows like The Studio (leading with five nominations), Adolescence, and The White Lotus (each with four) received significant recognition. Ensembles from Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, and Only Murders in the Building competed in comedy. The Diplomat, Landman, The Pitt, and Severance vied for drama ensemble honors. These TV nominations align somewhat with DGA and Emmy buzz. For instance, Severance and The Pitt are strong drama contenders at the Emmys, and The Studio is dominating comedy predictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the biggest surprise regarding non-English films at the 2026 Actor Awards nominations?
The most significant surprise was the complete and unprecedented shutout of all non-English language films and performances from the 2026 Actor Awards nominations. Despite strong expectations for films like Norway’s Sentimental Value and performances such as Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent (who had won accolades at Cannes), the SAG-AFTRA nominating committee allocated zero nods to international cinema. This marks a stark reversal from recent years, where films like Parasite and Emilia Pérez received and even won top awards.
How do the Actor Awards nominations typically compare to upcoming Oscar nominations?
The Actor Awards (formerly SAG Awards) are often considered a significant precursor to the Oscars, particularly for acting categories and Best Picture (Outstanding Performance by a Cast). However, a divergence is frequently observed, especially concerning international films. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has a more globally diverse membership, with 25% based outside the U.S., often leading to different selections. This year, with the Actor Awards’ complete snub of foreign films, experts predict a much greater difference, with the Oscars likely to recognize several international contenders missed by SAG-AFTRA.
Which films dominated the 2026 Actor Awards, and what does this mean for their Oscar chances?
One Battle After Another led the 2026 Actor Awards with a record-breaking seven nominations, followed closely by Sinners with five. Other strong performers included Marty Supreme and Hamnet, each securing multiple significant nods. This strong showing at the Actor Awards positions these films as major frontrunners for the Oscars, particularly in acting and Best Picture categories. A win for Outstanding Performance by a Cast is often a strong indicator for an eventual Best Picture Oscar, although the unique international snubs this year could make predicting the Oscars more complex and unpredictable.
Conclusion: A Season of Unpredictability Ahead
The 2026 Actor Awards nominations have set a fascinating and unpredictable tone for the remainder of awards season. The committee’s decisive pivot away from international recognition, combined with a strong endorsement of several domestic features, guarantees intense scrutiny as we approach the Golden Globes and, ultimately, the Academy Awards. While the Actor Awards offer a crucial snapshot of how actors view their peers’ work, this year’s selections suggest that Oscar night might unveil a very different narrative. This potentially celebrates a broader, more global tapestry of cinematic achievement. This ongoing dialogue between different voting bodies ensures that the journey to the Oscars remains as compelling and dramatic as the films themselves. Keep an eye on January 22nd for the official Oscar nominations!
