The 2025 Oscar nominations were announced, and while some familiar names earned their well-deserved spots, others were noticeably absent from the coveted list. Presenters Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott unveiled the nominees on Sunday, March 2, but many major performances and films failed to make the cut. From beloved stars to breakout roles, here are some of the biggest snubs of the day.
Nicole Kidman for Babygirl
Despite receiving accolades throughout awards season, Nicole Kidman was conspicuously absent from the Best Actress category for her powerhouse performance in Babygirl. The 57-year-old Oscar winner portrayed Romy Mathis, a married tech CEO caught in an affair with a manipulative young intern (Harris Dickinson). Kidman’s portrayal allowed her to showcase a wide range, from tightly wound to recklessly free. Her performance earned her nominations for a Golden Globe, a Gotham Award, and Best Actress honors from the National Board of Review. Yet, the Academy did not recognize her in a competitive Best Actress race this year, leaving many fans and critics disappointed.
Pamela Anderson for The Last Showgirl
Pamela Anderson’s role in The Last Showgirl also went unrecognized by Oscar voters. The former Baywatch star earned widespread praise for her nuanced portrayal of Shelly, a Las Vegas dancer facing a career crossroads after her show is canceled. Anderson’s performance, marked by a rare vulnerability, had already garnered nominations from the Gotham Awards, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild. Despite this momentum, she was ultimately snubbed by the Academy in the Best Actress category.
Jamie Lee Curtis for The Last Showgirl
Another notable omission from the Best Supporting Actress category was Jamie Lee Curtis for her role in The Last Showgirl. Curtis, who won an Oscar in 2023 for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, gave an unforgettable performance as Annette, a struggling Las Vegas cocktail waitress. Though her role was a supporting one, Curtis brought depth and humor to every scene. A Screen Actors Guild nomination had raised hopes for an Oscar nod, but the Academy did not recognize her work this time around.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste for Hard Truths
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who earned her only Oscar nomination for Secrets & Lies (1996), reunited with director Mike Leigh for the sharp comedy Hard Truths. Her portrayal of a deeply unhappy wife and mother delivered a biting, acerbic performance that many critics praised. Despite this, the Academy did not include Jean-Baptiste among the Best Actress nominees, making her one of the most surprising snubs of the season.
Angelina Jolie for Maria
Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in Maria had many predicting an Oscar nomination for the veteran actress. Jolie, 49, immersed herself in the role, even undergoing voice lessons for the film. Despite this preparation and the film’s potential to attract Oscar voters, Jolie was left out of the Best Actress race. Her performance, while lauded by some, was ultimately overshadowed by other nominees.
Danielle Deadwyler for The Piano Lesson
Danielle Deadwyler’s powerful performance in The Piano Lesson also went unnoticed by the Academy. Deadwyler, who was previously snubbed for her heartbreaking role in Till (2022), portrayed Berniece in this adaptation of August Wilson’s play. Critics hailed her as one of the standout performances of the year, and her work was acknowledged by the Screen Actors Guild. Yet, the Academy overlooked her in the Best Supporting Actress category.
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Clarence Maclin for Sing Sing
Clarence Maclin, an acting newcomer with a compelling backstory, missed out on a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in Sing Sing. The film, based on the true story of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program in high-security prisons, featured Maclin as a version of himself. Despite receiving recognition at other awards shows, including the Golden Globes, Maclin did not secure an Oscar nomination. However, Sing Sing did earn a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, co-written by Maclin himself.
Selena Gomez for Emilia Pérez
Though the film Emilia Pérez earned an impressive 13 Oscar nominations, including a Best Supporting Actress nod for co-star Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez was notably absent from the Best Actress race. The 32-year-old singer-turned-actress played the wife of the titular character in Jacques Audiard’s ambitious musical crime drama. Despite being recognized by the Golden Globes for her performance, Gomez was not able to secure an Oscar nomination, leaving many fans disappointed.
Adam Pearson for A Different Man
Adam Pearson, who played a man with a facial disfigurement in A Different Man, was another notable omission. Pearson’s role as a man obsessed with another man (Sebastian Stan) who has undergone a similar medical transformation had garnered praise throughout the awards season. Despite nods at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics’ Choice Awards, Pearson was not recognized by the Academy.
Denzel Washington for Gladiator II
Denzel Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, was a favorite early in the season for his portrayal of the scheming villain Macrinus in Gladiator II. However, in an ultra-competitive Best Supporting Actor race, Washington did not make the cut. Despite earning rave reviews for his performance in Ridley Scott’s epic sequel, Washington was edged out by other nominees in a crowded field.
Jonathan Bailey for Wicked
Jonathan Bailey’s performance as Prince Fiyero in Wicked was another surprising snub. The actor, best known for his role in Bridgerton, played the romantic lead in the highly anticipated musical fantasy. Despite the film’s 10 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo, Bailey was not included in the Best Supporting Actor category, leaving many fans questioning the omission.
Amy Adams for Nightbitch
Amy Adams, a six-time Oscar nominee, seemed poised to secure a seventh nomination for her bold and transformative performance in Nightbitch. Adams played a mother who slowly transforms into a canine, delivering a performance unlike any of her previous roles. However, in a crowded Best Actress field, Adams was passed over, leaving her fans disappointed once again.
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Daniel Craig for Queer
Daniel Craig’s turn in Queer as an American expat falling in love with a younger man in 1940s Mexico City was another overlooked performance. The former James Bond star earned nominations at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, and SAG Awards but was shut out of the Oscar race, despite delivering one of his most acclaimed performances to date.
Moana 2
Despite receiving a Golden Globe nomination earlier in the season, Disney’s Moana sequel was shut out of the Best Animated Feature category. The original Moana earned two Oscar nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. However, Moana 2 failed to repeat the success of its predecessor.
Will & Harper Documentary
The documentary Will & Harper, which followed Will Ferrell and his best friend Harper Steele on a 17-day road trip, also missed out on a nomination in the Best Documentary Feature category. Despite being shortlisted for the Oscar and touching audiences with its candid storytelling, the film was not recognized by the Academy.
The 2025 Oscar nominations revealed some expected nominees but also left out many talented performances and films. These snubs have sparked conversations about the Academy’s choices, and fans are left wondering what could have been in one of the most competitive awards seasons in recent memory.