The announcement of the 2026 Golden Globe nominations has officially kicked off the awards season, sparking the familiar mix of enthusiastic celebration and sharp criticism across Hollywood. While the nominations have highlighted several expected contenders, they have also delivered significant snubs that are shaping early predictions for the upcoming Academy Awards. The Golden Globes have long served as a crucial bellwether for the Oscars race, and this year's omissions are particularly telling, casting a spotlight on two films whose awards trajectories now appear more complex.
Among the most discussed surprises and snubs are Netflix's acclaimed Western "Train Dreams" and A24's intimate drama "Sorry, Baby." Both films were widely considered strong contenders for Best Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes, yet neither secured a nomination in that top category. This development has left industry observers parsing the implications, as the Globes' choices often act like a sudden cold front, reshaping the entire landscape of the awards season.
The Case of Train Dreams: A Western with Oscars Pedigree
Directed by Clint Bentley, Train Dreams is an adaptation of Denis Johnson's novella. The film features a powerhouse performance from Joel Edgerton, which did earn him a nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. The film's narrative—a meditative exploration of a man navigating tragedy and finding peace—draws direct comparisons to past Oscar champions.
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Oscars Parallel: The film's thematic and stylistic resonance with Chloé Zhao's Nomadland (2021 Best Picture winner) is unmistakable. Both are meandering, character-driven Westerns that examine working-class existence amidst societal change. This similarity had generated substantial Oscars buzz for Train Dreams long before the Globes nominations were announced.
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The Snub Analysis: The absence of a Best Picture nomination is particularly surprising given the film's pedigree. It possesses all the hallmarks of a traditional Academy favorite:
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A critically acclaimed literary adaptation.
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A lead performance touted as a career-best.
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The backing of a major streaming platform, Netflix, which has become an awards season powerhouse.
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The film's only other Golden Globe nomination came for Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner's Best Original Song. This limited recognition from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is seen by many as a puzzling oversight for a film with such strong Oscar potential.
The Intimate Power of Sorry, Baby
On the other end of the spectrum is Eva Victor's Sorry, Baby, a small-scale, critically adored personal drama. Victor, who wrote, directed, and stars in the film, delivered a performance so compelling that it broke through stiff competition to earn a nomination for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. The film tells the heartwrenching yet life-affirming story of a rape survivor rebuilding her life.
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Academy-Friendly Formula: On paper, Sorry, Baby seems tailor-made for Oscar attention. Its intimate screenplay, empathetic direction, and powerful central performance echo the qualities of past winners like Moonlight. The film operates like a meticulously crafted sonnet, finding immense power in its restraint and emotional specificity.
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A Solitary Nod: Despite Victor's acting nomination, the film was shut out of all other major categories, including Best Picture. This snub was unexpected for a film that has been described as carrying the emotional weight of its story from start to finish with the precision of a master watchmaker.
Victor's performance is praised for its delicate balance, navigating between lighthearted character interactions and the anxiety-inducing portrayal of living with PTSD. Her work in the film is considered a major achievement, making the broader category snubs all the more confounding.
Studio Showdown: Netflix and A24's Awards Arsenal
The snubs for Train Dreams (Netflix) and Sorry, Baby (A24) are notable given both studios' formidable presence in this awards cycle. However, neither studio was left empty-handed. The Golden Globes still heavily featured their other contenders:
| Studio | Best Picture – Drama Nominee | Other Key Nominations |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Nouvelle Vague, Frankenstein | Frankenstein (Best Director), Multiple Acting noms |
| A24 | Marty Supreme | Marty Supreme (Best Screenplay, Best Actor) |
This indicates that the snubs were not a reflection of the studios' overall strength but rather specific decisions regarding these two films. The awards race within each studio is highly competitive, and resources for campaigns are strategically allocated.
The Oscars Horizon: Why the Globes Snub Isn't Fatal
While the Golden Globes snubs are significant, they are far from a death knell for either film's Oscar hopes. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and the HFPA have different voting bodies and sometimes divergent tastes.
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Historical Precedent: Films have recovered from Globes snubs to win major Oscars before. The Academy often champions the very kind of intimate, actor-driven drama that Sorry, Baby represents and the literary, performance-heavy epic that Train Dreams embodies.
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Critical Momentum: Both films have maintained strong critical support, which is a crucial factor for Oscar voters.
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Narrative Potential: The "snub narrative" can sometimes galvanize support, positioning these films as undervalued gems worthy of the Academy's attention.
The 2026 Oscars race remains wide open. Joel Edgerton is still considered a frontrunner for Best Actor, and Eva Victor has firmly entered the Best Actress conversation. Most importantly, both Train Dreams and Sorry, Baby possess the artistic merit and emotional resonance that the Academy has historically rewarded, even when the Golden Globes have looked the other way. Their journeys toward the Dolby Theatre in 2026 are far from over.