Will ‘The Smashing Machine’ Win An Oscar?

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Jan 24, 2026 3:09 AM ET

The announcement of the 2026 Oscar nominations marks a bittersweet for ‘The Smashing Machine’, as it received just one nomination.

While that is considered a feat in and of itself, the nomination was for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The nomination was built on Dwayne Johnson’s transformation into Mark Kerr, utilizing prosthetic work by Kazu Hiro (who previously won for Darkest Hour and Bombshell ), as he played the former PRIDE and UFC Heavyweight Champion. While Johnson received a Best Actor nomination at the 2026 Golden Globe, he missed out this time. The same went for Emily Blunt, who played Kerr’s wife, who missed out on any nomination.

However, the film faces tough competition.

Film	Lead Transformation / Style	Oscar Momentum
*The Smashing Machine*	Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr	High (Kazu Hiro factor)
*Frankenstein*	Oscar Isaac / Jacob Elordi	Frontrunner (del Toro aesthetic)
*Sinners*	Period-accurate 1930s / Horror	Strong (Michael B. Jordan buzz)
*The Ugly Stepsister*	Avant-garde / Prosthetic heavy	Dark Horse
*Kokuho*	Traditional Japanese theater aesthetics	Critical Darling

The Smashing Machine struggled at the box office ($21 million worldwide against a $50 million budget), which likely hindered the momentum needed for Emily Blunt to secure a Supporting Actress nod.

“I’m truly honored and grateful for this nomination. The Smashing Machine was a project that required total trust, patience, and empathy from everyone involved, and I’m thankful to be recognized alongside such incredible artists. I share this recognition with our director Benny Safdie, the talented Dwayne Johnson, and the entire filmmaking team,” Kazu Hiro (prosthetic designer on the film)

“I’m also thankful to my makeup and prosthetics team, whose craftsmanship and dedication made this work possible. To be acknowledged by the Academy is incredibly meaningful to me, and I’m sincerely grateful,” said

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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