Several of Hollywood’s biggest stars may be headed to the Dolby Theatre this year, but not all of them showed up for one of awards season’s biggest traditions. The 2026 Oscar Nominees Luncheon, held on February 10 at the Beverly Hilton, brought together Academy Award contenders for the annual class photo and a rare chance to mingle before the ceremony.

However, the event was not a full gathering of this year’s nominees. While many major stars attended, a noticeable number of high-profile names were missing. Out of roughly 230 nominees, around 27 reportedly skipped the luncheon, mostly due to scheduling conflicts, travel issues, or personal choice.

Here are the biggest Oscar nominees who missed the 2026 luncheon, along with what they were nominated for and why they were absent.

Ludwig Göransson received nominations for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for Sinners. He was not mentioned among the attendees, even though others connected to the film were present. While no official reason was given, he likely missed the luncheon due to scheduling or work commitments.

Renate Reinsve, nominated for Best Actress for Sentimental Value, was one of the confirmed absences from the event. Reports stated she missed the luncheon because she is currently busy with film production. Her no-show was noticeable since she remains one of the season’s most talked-about acting contenders.

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Sean Penn received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for One Battle After Another but did not attend the luncheon. His absence was not surprising, as he is known for avoiding awards-season gatherings. Reports suggested his no-show was consistent with his long-standing tendency to stay away from industry events.

Natalie Portman was nominated as a producer for Best Animated Feature for Arco but appeared to skip the luncheon. Her name was not mentioned among the attendees in major coverage of the event. While no official explanation was given, her absence likely came down to travel or filming-related scheduling issues.

Sam Mendes, nominated as a producer for Best Picture for Hamnet, also seemed to be absent from the luncheon. He was not listed among the notable attendees highlighted in reports. Although the reason wasn’t confirmed, it is likely that work obligations or production commitments kept him away.

The 2026 Oscar Nominees Luncheon may have been filled with glamour and star power, but it also came with noticeable absences that sparked curiosity. Whether it was due to active film shoots, travel limitations, demanding production schedules, or personal preference, several of the year’s biggest nominees were not present for one of the Academy’s most iconic pre-Oscar gatherings. 

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Which nominee’s absence surprised you the most, and do you think skipping awards-season events affects their Oscar chances? Let us know in the comments!