The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are the most prestigious film ceremony in the United States. They award the best in filmmaking and acting.
However, they’re not infallible because measuring art objectively is difficult. With subjectivity entering into the mix, sometimes audiences disagree with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on which nominees should win and who/what should be chosen as a nominee.
This guide delves into the biggest perceived Oscar “snubs” of all time and where viewers can stream the snubbed performances and movies on platforms like Paramount+, Max, and more!
Judy Garland lost Best Actress for A Star is Born (27th Academy Awards)
When Judy Garland lost the Best Actress race at the 27th Academy Awards, she received a telegram from actor Groucho Marx that read: “Dear Judy, this is the biggest robbery since Brinks.” To this day, many critics and audiences feel the same way. Garland was nominated for Best Actress for her role as Esther Blodgett in A Star Is Born (1954), where she wowed with her musical talents and left audiences emotional as they saw the parallels between her and Blodgett as women navigating the complexities of stardom. However, the Best Actress ultimately went to Grace Kelly for The Country Girl. Despite her status as a Hollywood icon, Garland never won an Academy Award.
2001: A Space Odyssey snubbed for Best Picture (41st Academy Awards)
Today, Director Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is considered one of the most influential films ever made. With groundbreaking special effects and a complex, ambiguous take on technology and artificial intelligence, 2001: A Space Odyssey was a masterpiece that would influence the sci-fi genre and countless directors. At the time, though, not all critics understood nor appreciated its ambiguous nature. At the 41st Oscars, it was wholly excluded from the Best Picture category. While it did win an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, it’s hard to imagine such a monumental film that didn't receive a Best Picture nod.
Al Pacino lost Best Actor for The Godfather Part II (47th Academy Awards)
At the 47th Academy Awards, Al Pacino lost the race for Best Actor for his role as Michael Corleone in The Godfather: Part II. While he also portrayed Corleone in The Godfather, he elevated his performance significantly in the sequel, adding even more complexity and offering viewers one of cinematic history's most menacing and mesmerizing villains. However, the Academy Awards ultimately awarded Art Carney the Best Actor Award for Harry and Tonto. Pacino would continue to have a tough Oscars history, as he currently boasts nine nominations and just one win.
The Color Purple (1985) lost multiple categories (58th Academy Awards)
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple delves into the life of Celie Harris-Johnson (Whoopi Goldberg) and her experiences with racism, sexism, and abuse. Directed by Steven Spielberg and elevated by the Oscar-worthy performance of Goldberg, the film proved a heartbreaking and powerful film that forced viewers to acknowledge African American women’s experiences. The Color Purple swept up 11 Academy Award nominations but shocked audiences when it lost every category. Along with The Turning Point, it is the film with the most Academy Awards nominations and no wins in history.
Do the Right Thing snubbed for Best Picture (62nd Academy Awards)
Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing is considered one of the most influential films in history but failed to earn a Best Picture nod at the Oscars. The dramedy follows the tensions that arise after a passionate young man, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), tries to get a pizzeria in a Black neighborhood to include Black actors on its “Wall of Fame.” To this day, Do the Right Thing is one of the most profound and powerful depictions of racial tensions and police brutality in cinematic history. For a film that remains painfully relevant even 36 years later, it’s hard to believe it was snubbed for Best Picture and Best Director at the 62nd Oscars.
Denzel Washington lost Best Actor for Malcolm X (65th Academy Awards)
In 1992, Denzel Washington took on the titular role in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X. Playing a larger-than-life historical figure is no easy task, but Washington did it. Washington captures everything about Malcolm X, from his voice and looks to how he carried himself to his oratory skills and passion. Very few actors in cinematic history have achieved a transformation of this caliber. However, at the 65th Academy Awards, the award for Best Actor went to Pacino for Scent of a Woman. Lee criticized Washington's loss, suggesting the Academy only awarded Pacino to “make up” for not awarding him in the past.
Ralph Fiennes lost Best Supporting Actor for Schindler’s List (66th Academy Awards)
Ralph Fiennes starred in Schindler’s List as SS officer Amon Göth. His role was not an easy one, as he was tasked with bringing not just an SS officer to life but one with a reputation of pure, incomprehensible evilness. Fiennes does an astounding job, truly conveying the evil of indifference and hatred with a genuinely bone-chilling performance. It was even more impressive because it was his breakthrough role, although it is quite rare for breakthrough performances to win Oscars. Ultimately, the 66th Academy Awards chose Tommy Lee Jones for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Fugitive.
Saving Private Ryan lost Best Picture (71st Academy Awards)
Saving Private Ryan is a film that was as highly regarded upon release as it is today. Upon release, it was met with widespread critical acclaim for its brutally realistic depiction of war, jaw-dropping scale, and incredible performance of Tom Hanks. Well-regarded by critics, audiences, and veterans, Saving Private Ryan was a shoo-in for Best Picture. However, at the 71st Academy Awards, the film shockingly lost Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love. The loss was so upsetting that Shakespeare in Love’s production company, Miramax, was accused of launching an Oscars campaign that was too aggressive.
Alfred Hitchcock never won Best Director
While there isn’t just one particularly painful snub that stands out in Alfred Hitchcock’s career, those looking back on his legendary legacy can’t understand how he never once won the Best Director award at the Oscars. Hitchcock was a pioneer in filmmaking and had a profound influence on the suspense genre, earning him the moniker “Master of Suspense.” Between Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest, and Rear Window, there’s no shortage of iconic films demonstrating his director's skill and ability to create true cinematic art. Yet, despite five nominations, Hitchcock never won the Oscar for Best Director.
Shelley Duvall never nominated for an Oscar
Shelley Duvall was one of the greatest actresses of her time. Dubbed one of the best “scream queens” of all time, she offered profound contributions to the horror genre and helped drive multiple films, including The Shining, to critical acclaim. Her performances in The Shining and 3 Women were particularly Oscar-worthy. Despite her incredible legacy, Duvall was never nominated for an Oscar. To make matters more shocking, she was actually nominated for a Golden Raspberries for Worst Actress for her iconic performance in The Shining. For an actress with her legacy, it’s hard to understand how the Oscars and much of the industry overlooked her.
Where to watch snubbed Oscar films and performances streaming online
Check out our list below to find out where to watch the films and performances that experienced the biggest Oscar snubs online in the U.S.!
