LOS ANGELES — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its nominations for the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday morning, with the historical drama "The Quiet Hour" leading all films with 11 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The nominations capped one of the most unpredictable awards seasons in recent memory. A year that began with presumed front-runners ended with a broader field, as international films, independent releases and late-breaking studio campaigns all found room on the ballot.
The biggest surprise came in Best Actress, where Meryl Harper, widely considered a safe nominee for her performance in "Mother Tongue," was left out. Her omission immediately became the morning's defining snub, especially because the film still appeared in screenplay and supporting categories.
In Best Picture, the Academy recognized a mix of prestige dramas, a commercial blockbuster and two smaller films that built momentum through critics' groups. That blend suggests voters are continuing to reward both theatrical ambition and distinctive personal filmmaking.
The directing category also delivered a notable shake-up. Two first-time nominees made the cut, while a veteran filmmaker with strong guild support missed the list. Awards strategists often watch this category closely because it can signal which Best Picture campaigns have deeper Academy support.
International cinema had a strong morning. One non-English-language film crossed into multiple major categories, continuing a trend that has accelerated as the Academy's voting body has become more global. That shift has made the Oscars less predictable and, often, more interesting.
The craft categories favored films with visible production value: period design, practical effects, original scoring and ambitious cinematography. "The Quiet Hour" performed especially well there, which helps explain its overall nomination lead.
Snubs are part of the ritual, but they also reveal how crowded the season was. Several acclaimed performances missed not because they lacked support, but because the acting categories had more viable contenders than available slots.
The next phase of the race will depend on momentum. Nominations create visibility, but final voting often turns on campaign narratives, televised awards speeches, industry screenings and whether voters feel a film represents the year as a whole.
For viewers, the list offers a useful roadmap: the big studio titles are there, but so are smaller films that may now reach a wider audience. That is the Oscars at their best — not only a trophy contest, but a discovery engine for movies people might otherwise miss.
James Okafor
Entertainment and culture writer covering Hollywood, streaming, and awards season.
