After Another Almost Nomination, We Need To Talk About Adam Sandler’s Long-Term Oscar Chances

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Despite a lot of buzz and a Critics Choice Award nomination, Adam Sandler wasn’t nominated for an Oscar this year. While many expected him to be recognized, he was ultimately overlooked.

It’s not a shock. While many people liked Adam Sandler’s performance in Jay Kelly, the film itself has lost momentum in the awards race. George Clooney’s chances of winning Best Actor also diminished, leaving Sandler as the last remaining possibility for a nomination. In the end, the movie was completely overlooked.

I was much more upset when the Academy didn’t recognize Adam Sandler’s incredible performance in Uncut Gems – I still often think about how powerful he was in that role. His work in Hustle was more understated, and with so many strong performances from other actors this year, he likely didn’t have enough truly memorable scenes to break into the top five nominations. That’s just how things go, and I don’t fault the voters at all.

I’ve always enjoyed Adam Sandler’s films, from his comedies to the more unusual movies I watched on IFC. It’s been great to see him challenge himself with different roles later in his career – it feels like a surprising but welcome combination of my two interests. While critics have praised his recent work – the best reviews of his career, in fact – he hasn’t yet received an Oscar nomination. I’m wondering if that might change in the future, so let’s discuss his chances.

It’s hard to say what Adam Sandler’s ultimate career plans are, but lately he’s found a nice balance. He’s still making the silly, fun comedies he’s famous for – often with his friends and family – but he’s also taking on more dramatic roles. And even though I can be a bit of a film critic, I think that’s a great thing. I don’t want him to stop making the movies we love, but it would be good to see him challenge himself with a more serious project every couple of years.

Adam Sandler’s willingness to try different types of films could eventually lead to an Oscar nomination. He’s already attracting the attention of highly respected filmmakers with a history of Oscar success. For example, Noah Baumbach, who’s been nominated four times for an Academy Award, recently cast Sandler in his film Jay Kelly. Josh Safdie, nominated for Best Director for Marty Supreme, previously directed Sandler in Uncut Gems, and is planning another collaboration. Even Paul Thomas Anderson, considered one of the most celebrated directors working today, chose Sandler for Punch-Drunk Love. Other top directors have also expressed interest in working with him.

He’s incredibly talented, though people unfamiliar with his more artistic work might not realize it. Like many comedy greats – think Eddie Murphy and Bill Murray – he has impeccable timing. He’s also very expressive, and while he’s usually used that skill for broad comedy, it clearly translates to more serious emotions like sadness, worry, or frustration. The charm that makes him so captivating in films like Happy Gilmore works equally well in dramatic roles, and he understands the power of subtlety – a skill many comedians never master.

I don’t believe Adam Sandler is pursuing more dramatic roles for award recognition like an Oscar. It seems he’s driven by a desire to connect with audiences in new ways and challenge himself as an actor, and in that sense, he’s already succeeded. He’s already delivered memorable performances in films that people will continue to enjoy for years to come. As long as he continues to create work like that, it’s worthwhile, regardless of nominations. However, I would be happy to see him receive a nomination eventually, and if he continues to collaborate with respected directors regularly, I think his chances are good.

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2026-01-22 19:15