10 Biggest Oscar Snubs of the Last 25 Years, Ranked

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The highly esteemed event known as the Oscars, the pinnacle awards show in the film industry, is fast approaching. For numerous cinephiles, it’s one of the most eagerly anticipated evenings of the year. It’s a chance to gather around your television, celebrate your favorite movies and performances, and find out who will be the lucky recipients of the coveted trophies.

There have been instances where the Academy didn’t make the correct decision. The Oscars’ 95-year journey has seen its fair share of infamous oversights. Sometimes, the award was given to someone less deserving that year, or a more worthy nominee was overlooked. In some cases, a film or person wasn’t even recognized with a nomination. As the Oscars approach, it’s an opportune moment to revisit and highlight some of the most significant oversights in the past 25 years.

10
Lack of Love for ‘Mulholland Drive’ (2002)

As a cinephile, I can’t help but admire the unique filmmaking style of David Lynch, and there’s no doubt in my mind that his masterpiece, Mulholland Drive, encapsulates this like no other. This film takes us on a journey with an aspiring actress who forms an unusual friendship with a woman suffering from memory loss.

Regardless of its enigmatic qualities, the movie “Mulholland Drive” has been celebrated by critics as one of the best films ever made – a recognition that makes its absence from nominations at the 74th Academy Awards even more disappointing. David Lynch was rightly nominated for Best Director, but the film itself missed out on a Best Picture nod, and Naomi Watts’ outstanding performance in it was also overlooked for a Best Actress nomination.

9
‘Crash’ Wins Over ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2006)

In 2005, Ang Lee’s movie “Brokeback Mountain” was a hot topic of conversation. Unlike many films of its time, it portrayed an unusual romance—between two cowboys in the American West. This groundbreaking film left a significant mark on LGBTQ+ cinema. It received widespread critical praise for its unique storyline and the performances of its stars, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, who were both acclaimed for their roles. Despite being commercially successful, some conservative media outlets criticized the film due to its depiction of homosexuality.

However, the most significant debate surrounding the movie surfaced at the 74th Academy Awards when Brokeback Mountain was beaten to the Best Picture award by Crash, a selection that was arguably safer for the Academy. Now, let me clarify, Crash is a fine film. Yet, it fails to rival the enduring influence or the critical and commercial triumph of Brokeback Mountain. This decision sparked criticism and uproar, with many commentators attributing it to prejudice. To this very day, over 18 years later, the defeat of Brokeback Mountain remains one of the most contentious and debated instances in Oscar history.

8
‘The King’s Speech’ Beats ‘The Social Network’ (2011)

2010 stood out as a remarkable year for cinema with blockbusters such as “The King’s Speech,” “Black Swan,” “The Fighter,” “Inception,” and “Toy Story 3” all being nominated for Best Picture at the 83rd Academy Awards. However, it was “The Social Network” that sparked widespread conversation. Initially, viewers were skeptical about a film based on Facebook, but their doubts vanished once they watched it. After all, “The Social Network” was helmed by director David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, and featured then-unknown actors like Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield who have since risen to Hollywood’s elite circle.

Drawing inspiration from actual occurrences, the film “The Social Network” portrays Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder, transforming a simple dorm room concept into a multibillion-dollar social media titan. However, was it truly his idea? The movie “The Social Network” achieved both commercial and critical acclaim, catapulting Zuckerberg into popular culture. It was even nominated for the Best Picture award but lost to “The King’s Speech“, a type of film that has traditionally received favor from the Academy Awards. These are usually slow-paced, dramatic period pieces with outstanding performances. Nonetheless, it is “The Social Network“–with its timely and significant narrative, innovative direction, and gritty edge–that deservedly should have clinched the top prize.

7
Hans Zimmer Loses Best Original Score for ‘Interstellar’ (2015)

As a follower of music, particularly movie scores, I can confidently say that I hold Hans Zimmer in high regard – one of the greatest film composers of all time. His compositions have graced iconic films like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “True Romance,” “The Lion King,” and “Gladiator.” Yet, his most renowned partnerships are with director Christopher Nolan. Zimmer’s music miraculously embodies the immense grandeur and epic essence of Nolan’s movies, but it is Zimmer’s work on “Interstellar” that truly stands out. The entire soundtrack takes you on a journey across the star-studded night sky, with its melodies escalating in both intensity and emotion, making your heart race and ache simultaneously.

The music in the movie “Interstellar” is legendary due to its enduring and powerful elegance, provided by its array of instruments such as organs, strings, and woodwinds. It’s a significant element that significantly boosted the film’s success. However, surprisingly, Hans Zimmer did not win the Best Original Score at the 87th Academy Awards, instead losing to Alexandre Desplat and “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Despite the defeat being to a worthy competitor, it’s hard not to acknowledge that the music for “Interstellar” is in another galaxy compared to that of “The Grand Budapest Hotel.

6
Amy Adams Wasn’t Nominated for ‘Arrival’ (2017)

Over the years, many films about aliens have been made, but none quite like “Arrival.” In this movie, linguistic specialists, Dr. Louise Banks (portrayed by Amy Adams) and Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), are tasked with understanding and deciphering the intentions of Heptapods, an alien species that have inexplicably arrived on Earth.

The film “Arrival” was widely praised for its profoundly moving narrative, innovative approach to alien encounters, and captivating performances, particularly Amy Adams’. Despite her numerous outstanding performances throughout her career, many consider “Arrival” as Adams’ finest. Unfortunately, at the 89th Academy Awards, she neither won nor was nominated for Best Actress. In fact, she missed out on a nomination entirely.

5
‘Moonlight’ Wins Over ‘La La Land’ (2017)

At the 89th Academy Awards, an envelope mix-up led to the wrong movie being announced as the Best Picture winner. Instead of “La La Land,” which was incorrectly declared by Faye Dunaway, the actual winner was “Moonlight.” The cast and crew of “La La Land” had initially accepted the award, delivering heartfelt speeches before they were interrupted to learn the truth.

The team behind the movie “La La Land” humbly gave up their award and invited the team of “Moonlight” on stage to accept it instead. However, many argue that the Best Picture Oscar should have gone to “La La Land”. Since its release, “La La Land” has become a timeless film, a modern masterpiece, while “Moonlight” is mainly remembered for the mistake made during the televised awards ceremony.

4
‘The Dark Knight’ Wasn’t Nominated for Best Picture (2009)

Under the guidance of renowned director Christopher Nolan, the film The Dark Knight elevated the superhero genre to unprecedented levels, even drawing in those who typically shy away from such genres. The movie masterfully portrays the complex dynamic between Batman and his arch-nemesis, the Joker, demonstrating the consequences when an unyielding force collides with an immovable object. This film offers all the elements you’d expect from a top-notch cinema experience: a gripping narrative, shocking turns, and intense action sequences. What makes it truly exceptional is the outstanding performances delivered by a talented cast led by Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and notably, Heath Ledger.

Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the enigmatic and disorderly Joker in “The Dark Knight” is legendary, and for many, it encapsulates the live-action essence of this iconic character. Posthumously, he was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, a testament to his extraordinary talent. Interestingly, “The Dark Knight” was only nominated for one major Oscar in a somewhat contentious manner.

Many viewers believed that the film was overlooked in both Best Picture and Best Director nominations due to it being a superhero movie. Notably, the Academy altered their policy the next year, expanding the Best Picture nominees from five to ten, an adjustment often attributed to the contentious exclusion of The Dark Knight at the 81st Academy Awards.

3
Lack of Love for ‘Uncut Gems’ (2020)

In 2019, Adam Sandler, widely known as a comedy great, stunned both spectators and critics with an exceptional dramatic portrayal in the movie “Uncut Gems.” In this film, he embodies Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler grappling with a compulsive gambling habit. “Uncut Gems” offers a thrilling blend of anxiety and humor, shedding light on the destructive nature of gambling addiction by depicting its insatiable craving and the dire repercussions it brings about.

The movie titled “Uncut Gems” was both a financial and critical triumph. Numerous critics hailed it as the pinnacle of Adam Sandler’s acting career. Despite this acclaim, it failed to garner any recognition at the Academy Awards, with no nominations even for Sandler’s outstanding performance, which many believed could be a career-making role for him. Major film critics and publications ranked “Uncut Gems” among the top films of 2019, but the Oscars overlooked it entirely.

2
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” Wasn’t Nominated for Best Original Song (2022)

Encanto is a story about a Colombian family, the Madrigals, who possess magical powers that they use to benefit their village. However, one day, they mysteriously begin losing these magical abilities. This Disney animated film has captivated audiences worldwide with its catchy song, “We don’t talk about Bruno-no-no,” which has become an unavoidable earworm in homes everywhere, with its lyrics resonating deeply among both kids and grownups.

Many believed that “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” would follow in the success of Frozen’s “Let It Go,” which won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2014. However, Encanto and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who composed the music and lyrics for the song, were not nominated for “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” Instead, they received a nomination for another song, “Dos Oruguitas.” Despite this, most fans feel that the nomination and Oscar should have been awarded to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” as it is considered more iconic and memorable than “Dos Oruguitas.

1
Denis Villeneuve Wasn’t Nominated for Best Director for Any ‘Dune’ Films (2025)

Denis Villeneuve has been making a significant impact in Hollywood since 2013, producing a series of highly acclaimed and popular movies such as Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049. His recent works include Dune from 2021 and Dune: Part II set for release in 2024. These films offer an unprecedented adaptation of Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking science fiction novel on the big screen, receiving widespread acclaim for their outstanding acting, stunning visuals, and grand scale.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment. Both the films I admired greatly have graced numerous Oscar nominations, even being contenders for Best Picture. However, it seems there’s an overlooked category that both these masterpieces have failed to secure: Best Director. For the second time, Denis Villeneuve has been denied the recognition he richly deserves for his exceptional work on Dune.

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2025-02-23 23:04