The 2026 Oscars nominations list dropped this Thursday, 22 January, with many fans noting a lack of queer nominations across the board.

With no Academy Award nominations for LGBTQ+ films such as Hedda, Twinless, The Wedding Banquet, The History of Sound, and others, there is a distinct difference from last year’s queer highlights. 

Some critics hoped Sorry, Baby would earn a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, a queer film by debut director Eva Victor, which had been listed in Variety’s top films of 2025. 

Wicked: For Good surprisingly received no nominations so far, but could still be listed for craft categories. The first film gained 10 nominations last year, and 2 historic wins, including a Best Costume Design win for gay designer Paul Tazelwell, who became the first Black man to win the award. But the sequel has not received any nominations so far, not even for the spell-binding performance from queer icon Cynthia Erivo. 

On a more positive note, the groundbreaking supernatural thriller Sinners earned 16 nominations, the first film to do so in Oscars history. Having performed exceedingly well across its cinema run, it’s certain to take home at least a few wins in this year’s awards, with its phenomenal acting, costuming, storyline, and cinematography. 

Some queer talent has been recognised across the board, but very few queer films have made it to the bigger nomination categories for the 2026 Oscars. Ethan Hawke’s performance as closeted playwright Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon earned him a nomination for Best Actor. 

KPop Demon Hunters was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film as well as Best Original Song for “Golden”, co-written by queer songwriter Mark Sonnenblick.

In the Best Documentary category, Come See Me in the Good Light was nominated, a film documenting the late poet Andrea Gibson and their wife, Megan Falley. Also in this category is Mr. Nobody Against Putin, co-directed by gay creative Pasha Talankin, who features as the film’s subject. 

Queer filmmaker Adrian Molina earned a nomination as co-director of Elio, and Miriam Margolyes’ feature in A Friend of Dorothy gained a nomination in the Best Short Film category.

This year’s Oscars ceremony will take place Sunday, March 15, the 98th rendition of the awards. Our fingers are crossed!