This Baffling List of Oscar Snubs Is Going Viral for All the Wrong Reasons
The concept of an Oscar snub is nothing new; audiences will always disagree about which actors deserved to receive nominations (or even wins) at the Academy Awards, and there are always going to be some left behind.
Typically, it's the same names that get brought up time and time again. Actors like Tom Cruise, Amy Adams, and Glenn Close have all received countless nominations without ever winning, while performances such as Toni Colette in Hereditary or Jim Carrey is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind shockingly weren't even nominated.
A new list, however, has placed some unexpected names under the spotlight. Posted by X user Films Cite, the list names the 10 actors who should have received an Oscar nomination at some point in their careers-but the picks are unconventional, to say the least.
In the top spot is Robert Pattinson, whose presence on the list isn't that surprising. Despite turning in excellent performances throughout his career (Good Time, The Lighthouse, and The Batman, just to name a few), he remains unnominated.
Right after Pattinson, however, the list deviates from popular consensus. Charles Melton was expected to receive a nomination for his role in May December back in 2023, but he ultimately didn't. This was a big shock, but placing him at No. 2 just for this single occasion seems surprising. As fans pointed out, there are several other actors who would be more predictable choices.
"John Goodman not having a nomination is insane," one X user wrote.
"The fact that Jim Carrey isn't FIRST on the list is insane," wrote another.
Barbarian names the top 10 actors who should have an Oscar nomination:
— Films Cite (@filmscite) April 27, 2026
1. Robert Pattinson
2. Charles Melton
3. Zendaya
4. Rachel Zegler
5. Dylan O'Brien
6. Margaret Qualley
7. Mason Thames
8. John Goodman
9. Jennifer Aniston
10. Miles Caton pic.twitter.com/Z12ocQtxdM
The list continues with Zendaya, whose supporting role in the Dune franchise could easily have pushed her to an Oscar nomination. Rachel Zegler was next, marking another uproar from fans given how early into her career she currently is. A nomination was possible for West Side Story, but that was her first movie role.
Dylan O'Brien and Margaret Qualley follow-more younger talents whose careers are still in their infancies and perhaps shouldn't have been prioritized over some veteran actors, according to commenters.
Ultimately, the reason this unconventional list has gone so viral over the past few days is that it prioritizes younger, more inexperienced actors over those who've been in the business for decades without receiving a nomination, like Carrey or Goodman.
Miles Caton and Mason Thames are further evidence of this. Caton perhaps should have been nominated for Sinners, but it's so early in his career to suggest that he's overdue.
One X user wrote: "[I] have a big feeling at least half of the people on this list will get their first Oscar nomination within the next decade." Perhaps these may not be the biggest snubs in the most conventional sense, but the list definitely includes some rising stars whose careers are certainly heading towards an Oscar nomination one day.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 3:58 AM.