The Academy unveiled its full line-up of Oscar nods Thursday morning, with “Emilia Pérez” leading the field with 13 nominations, followed by “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” with 10 each. While guild nominations and other preliminary awards bodies can help provide a comprehensive forecast for Oscar nominations, there are always a few curveballs mixed into the proceedings.

Big names like Angelina Jolie and Denzel Washington missed out on acting nominations this year, and there were many, many more surprises.

SNUB: Angelina Jolie Misses for ‘Maria’

The star earned some stellar reviews at the Venice Film Fest for her portrayal of the opera icon Maria Callas. Director Pablo Larrain previously delivered Oscar nominations to two of his stars playing historical figures — Natalie Portman for “Jackie” in 2017 and Kristen Stewart for “Spencer” in 2022. But Jolie didn’t land a nod, falling behind a highly competitive best actress field.

SURPRISE: Jeremy Strong Gets First Oscar Nomination

The “Succession” star earned career-best reviews for a film performance with “The Apprentice,” the Donald Trump origin story sparked by Strong’s turn as the ferocious Roy Cohn. After a splashy debut at Cannes, no major U.S. distributor seemed willing to touch the controversial feature until upstart Briarcliff picked it up. Even with Trump back in office and awards season speeches staying light on politics, Strong’s performance managed to draw enough support to put him in the supporting actor race.

Ridley Scott’s decades-later follow-up to his best picture Oscar winner only landed a costume design nod. Heading into the fall, the Paramount blockbuster was seen as a potential awards juggernaut, with some expecting Scott to be a competitor for the best director prize. Despite a successful run in theaters and strong buzz for Denzel Washington, the swords-and-sandals sequel didn’t find support with the Academy beyond craft.

SURPRISE: The Substance Lands in Best Picture

Even as Demi Moore delivered standout performance, it seemed unlikely that her ooey-gooey horror film would be able to find widespread support among the Academy. Oscar voters love to recognize the career of a legacy star — but butt shots? Goblin transformations? Firehoses of blood? Well, they like those too apparently, since “The Substance” surged in for a best picture nomination that seemed unlikely even mere weeks ago.

SURPRISE: Sebastian Stan Surges With ‘The Apprentice’

Despite its controversial take on Donald Trump, Stan’s award season narrative made plenty of noise for the Ali Abbasi film. Stan’s well-documented research of and commitment to the role was enough to get Academy attention.

SNUB: Denis Villeneuve Misses in Best Director

Even though the “Dune” filmmaker missed a directing nomination for his first entry in the sci-fi action series, Villeneuve was widely seen as a shoo-in for a nod after “Dune: Part II” debuted nearly a year ago, remaining one of 2024’s best-reviewed (and most commercial) films through year’s end. Villeneuve was a no-show again. Some prognosticators compare “Dune’s” awards chances with Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which largely swept the Oscars with its third and final entry “Return of the King.”

Jackson also blanked in the best director category for his series’ second entry, “The Two Towers.” Villeneuve may finally get his due with his trilogy capper “Dune Messiah.”

SURPRISE: Fernanda Torres Is Still Here in Best Actress Race

Despite going up against Academy-friendly names like Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet, the “I’m Still Here” star was able broke through in the awards race to land an acting nomination. Academy voters caught up with Brazilian drama, a wave of support unfurled from vocal fans on social media. “I’m Still Here” is one of few foreign-language features to land above-the-line nomination at the Oscars.

The “All Quiet on the Western Front” director’s papal follow-up scored eight nods, including best picture. Berger was a frontrunner, but couldn’t make it into the crowded field. Yet the snub isn’t any sort of bellwether of the film’s best picture chances, as “Green Book,” “CODA” and “Argo” have all taken home that top statue in recent years without a best director nomination.

SURPRISE: “I’m Still Here” enters the best picture race

Despite strong support for Fernanda Torres and a shoo-in for best international feature film, “I’m Still Here” wasn’t widely predicted to elevate into a best picture slot.

SNUB: Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis not nominated for ” Last Showgirl”

Anderson made a splash in the awards race with her portrayal of showgirl Shelly Gardner, which showed another side of the actor. Hollywood loves a comeback story, so when she received nods at the Gotham Awards, and SAGs, it seemed there was a chance for her to disrupt a competitive category.

Curtis — who won the best supporting actress statue in 2023 for her role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — earned buzz for another supporting role in “Showgirl.” Curtis also received a SAG and a BAFTA nod for playing former showgirl Annette in the film.

SNUB: Daniel Craig misses acting nomination for “Queer”

Craig had a strong campaign for his vulnerable turn in Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of the William S. Burroughs work. The actor’s portrayal of William Lee was celebrated by a National Board of Review best actor win, but couldn’t keep up momentum for an Oscar nom.

SURPRISE: little-seen “Better Man” gets best visual effects nod

Due to his lack of American star power, this Robbie Williams biopic was a flop. Yet apparently enough voters saw the film to celebrate the high-concept, chimpanzee-forward musical.

SNUB: Clarence Maclin shut out of an acting nod for “Sing Sing”

“Sing Sing” had a long campaign cycle, given its July 2024 release date and modest box office returns. Yet the acclaimed film was able to make big waves during the Oscar nominations, as it landed three nods. That said, Clarence Maclin, a favorite for supporting actor by playing himself, was snubbed despite a strong campaign. Yet he did receive an adapted screenplay nomination for the movie, which he co-wrote. Colman Domingo was also nominated for lead actor, and the film’s “Like a Bird” received a best original song nod.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ propulsive soundtrack was a hit with audiences and an essential addition to gym playlists everywhere. Yet despite plenty of accolades from the Academy in the past — including best original score wins for “Soul” with Jon Batiste and “The Social Network,” as well as a nomination for “Mank” — their “Challengers” score couldn’t secure a nomination.

SNUB: Margaret Qualley misses best supporting actress, “The Substance”

Qualley’s physically demanding performance was perhaps overshadowed by Demi Moore’s strong award season showing as her opposite in the film.

SNUB: Wicked misses for best adapted screenplay

The musical juggernaut couldn’t compete in this competitive category, but had plenty of other love from the Academy with ten nominations.

SNUB: Joe Walker not nominated for editing “Dune: Part Two”

Walker led all of the major predictions, and was a nominee at the American Cinema Editors Awards as well as the BAFTA Film Awards. Plus, he won the editing Oscar for the first “Dune,” making this a below-the-line shocker.

SURPRISE: Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang brought fun 

The pair were light and funny, able to add some personality and laughs to the early morning announcements. With fun quips about being over-caffeinated, mispronouncing nominees’ names and a Charli XCX shoutout, it was a fun, fizzy delivery.