It might sound obvious, but getting nominated for an Oscar doesn’t automatically make a film good. In fact, there have been many deserving movies over the years that were somehow overlooked by the Academy. While it’s easy to assume that certain films don’t get nominated because they’re not what voters of the Oscars would usually go for, there have been a lot of surprises in the past.
For example, pretty much every new superhero film earns a nomination thanks to the technical or makeup categories, while random animated films are acknowledged most likely because of the low number on offer in a certain year. This means films like DC’s Suicide Squad may have been mauled by the critics, but will still get recognised by the Academy, which is somewhat ridiculous when you consider classics such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and The Shining never got nominated.
They aren’t alone; we’ve run through the 47 most surprising oversights. Here’s a look at these remarkable films that deserved more recognition than they received.
Table of Contents
- American Honey (2016)
- American Psycho (2000)
- Babyteeth (2019)
- Before Sunrise (1995)
- The Big Heat (1953)
- The Big Lebowski (1998)
- Blow Out (1981)
- Breathless (À bout de souffle) (1960)
- Bringing Up Baby (1938)
- Don’t Look Now (1973)
- Frances Ha (2012)
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
- La Haine (1995)
- Halloween (1978)
- Heat (1995)
- His Girl Friday (1940)
- In the Mood for Love (2000)
- Insomnia (2002)
- The King of Comedy (1982)
- The Long Goodbye (1973)
- Local Hero (1983)
- A Man Escaped (1956)
- The Man With Two Brains (1983)
- Margaret (2011)
- A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
- Memories of Murder (2003)
- Never Rarely Sometimes Always
- Night Moves (1975)
- Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)
- Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
- Our Little Sister (2015)
- Paterson (2016)
- Paths of Glory (1957)
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
- Reservoir Dogs (1992)
- The Rider (2018)
- School of Rock (2004)
- The Searchers (1956)
- The Shining (1980)
- The Shop Around the Corner (1953)
- This Is England (2006)
- Tokyo Story (1953)
- Touch of Evil (1958)
- Tyrannosaur (2011)
- Walkabout (1971)
- You Were Never Really Here (2018)
- Zodiac (2007)
American Honey (2016)
This film tells the story of a teenage girl who joins a group of young people who travel across the country selling magazines. Directed by Andrea Arnold, it captures the essence of youth and freedom, yet surprisingly, it did not receive any Oscar nominations.
American Psycho (2000)
Adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's novel, this film starring Christian Bale is a darkly humorous take on consumerism and identity. Despite its cultural impact, it failed to earn any nominations from the Academy.
Babyteeth (2019)
This Australian film, which deals with themes of love and loss, was praised for its performances but was overlooked during awards season.
Before Sunrise (1995)
The first film in Richard Linklater's beloved trilogy, it beautifully explores romance in real-time. Yet, it missed out on Oscar recognition, setting a trend for future films in the series.
The Big Heat (1953)
Fritz Lang's noir classic features a gripping narrative and strong performances. Unfortunately, it became another overlooked gem in the Academy's history.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Despite its quotable lines and cult following, this Coen Brothers classic did not receive a single Oscar nomination, highlighting the Academy's occasional disconnect with popular films.
Blow Out (1981)
Brian De Palma's thriller, which showcases a disturbing conspiracy, was a critical success but was notably absent from the Oscars, raising questions about the recognition of genre films.
Breathless (À bout de souffle) (1960)
This French New Wave film solidified Jean-Luc Godard's status as a revolutionary filmmaker, yet it received no nominations, exemplifying the Academy's hesitance to embrace international cinema.
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
A screwball comedy featuring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, it remains a beloved classic that surprisingly did not garner any Academy acknowledgment.
Don’t Look Now (1973)
This psychological horror film is a haunting tale set in Venice and is often regarded as one of the best horror films, yet it did not receive any nominations, despite the success of its contemporaries.