The nominees for the 97th Academy Awards were revealed on Thursday, and, as is customary, the announcement ignited considerable discussion regarding unexpected entries and notable exclusions.

### Major Achievements and Significant Oversights

Jacques Audiard’s *Emilia Pérez* surfaced as a leading contender with 13 nominations, but a surprising absence was Selena Gomez, who many expected to receive a Supporting Actress nomination after being acknowledged by the Golden Globe and BAFTA for her role. In a similar vein, Coralie Fargeat’s *The Substance* garnered five nominations, yet Margaret Qualley, previously honored by the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards for her supporting performance, was not included. Meanwhile, films such as *Babygirl*, *Challengers*, and *Queer* failed to earn any nominations, despite prior honors at other significant award events.

### The Most Notable Oversights of the Year

#### *Challengers* Completely Omitted
Luca Guadagnino’s *Challengers*, hailed as one of Mashable’s standout films of 2024, was entirely disregarded by the Academy. The film had earlier received Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture – Musical/Comedy and for Zendaya’s leading performance. Nevertheless, the most astonishing exclusion was the dismissal of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ dynamic techno score, which elevated the film’s intense tennis sequences into a vibrant experience. Their composition even clinched the Golden Globe for Best Original Score, surpassing four of the five Oscar nominees. Somehow, *Wicked* managed to obtain a nomination in this category instead.

#### Daniel Craig Neglected for *Queer*
Despite receiving nods from the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and Screen Actors Guild, Daniel Craig was overlooked for what could have been his inaugural Oscar nomination for his performance in Guadagnino’s *Queer*. While the film itself did not receive any nominations, Craig’s exclusion felt particularly sharp. As noted by Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko in her review, Craig delivered a captivating portrayal, exhibiting charm, vulnerability, and intensity that resonated with viewers.

#### Denis Villeneuve Snubbed Once More for *Dune: Part Two*
In a repeat of the 2022 Oscars, Denis Villeneuve was again overlooked for his direction of *Dune*. Despite the sequel being even more ambitious than the original, the Academy did not acknowledge Villeneuve’s effort. This exclusion resembles the overlooking of Peter Jackson’s direction for *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy—a perplexing lapse for such a monumental film achievement.

#### Best Actress Category Excludes Prominent Names
The Best Actress field was particularly fierce this year, resulting in unexpected omissions for Nicole Kidman (*Babygirl*), Marianne Jean-Baptiste (*Hard Truths*), Pamela Anderson (*The Last Showgirl*), and Angelina Jolie (*Maria*). Each actress had seen considerable awards-season momentum, with nominations from the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards, and beyond. Kidman, for instance, won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, and Anderson and Jolie also secured prestigious awards. However, none of this resulted in Oscar acknowledgment.

#### Denzel Washington Left Out for *Gladiator II*
Denzel Washington, who showcased an exceptional performance in *Gladiator II*, was yet another significant exclusion. Among the six actors nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes, Washington was the only one absent from the Oscars roster. Mashable’s review commended Washington for his standout performance, making his absence from the nominations even more disappointing.

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### How to View the Oscars
The 97th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC and Hulu on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET. Be sure to catch what is sure to be an evening filled with surprises, festivities, and possibly a few more controversies.