Only the very best in the cinema gets celebrated by the Academy Awards or the Oscars. But sometimes even Hollywood’s most prestigious award misses the mark entirely.
Over the years, several films have become cherished treasures and undeniable classics, but you might be surprised to learn that they received little to no recognition from the Oscars. Here are 10 of the greatest movies of all time that the Oscars completely ignored.
10. Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s ‘Hereditary’ was an A24 gem that became a defining horror film of the 21st century. The Academy was never a big fan of horror films, but ‘Hereditary’ wasn’t just that. It was a devastating and heart-wrenching drama.
What is more surprising is that we got one of the best performances of all time through Toni Collette’s haunting and ferocious portrayal of Annie Graham. Her performance had an impact that is impossible to dismiss. It should have been the winning case, yet she never even received a nomination.
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9. Before Sunrise (1995)
Richard Linklater’s ‘Before Sunrise’ is an absolute romance classic, though it got completely shut out of the Oscars. Its natural dialogue, intimate storytelling, and the unforgettable chemistry between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy still remain unmatched.
Though the movie earned widespread critical acclaim, it never got the recognition it deserved from the Oscars. Interestingly, its two sequels both received Best Adapted Screenplay nominations.
8. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
It is actually not that hard to understand why a revolutionary and radical film like ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ would be initially dismissed as a commercial and critical failure. The movie eventually became a hit as a midnight movie and gradually earned the cult classic status it now holds.
But it is Tim Curry’s unforgettable performance as Dr Frank-N-Furter that still remains a big regret. His acting alone feels worthy of winning an Oscar, yet the Academy never acknowledged it.
7. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut ‘Reservoir Dogs’ was very controversial upon its release, especially for its very graphic depiction of violence. On top of that, the unconventional style hardly sat right with many critics.
Yet, its razor-sharp dialogue and raw filmmaking transformed it into a cultural phenomenon. Now it is regarded as one of the greatest debuts of all time. So, while the Academy completely ignored it, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ ultimately had the last laugh.
6. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
If a film stars the Hollywood legends Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, you would surely expect it to catch the attention of the Academy. However, the 1938 screwball comedy was surprisingly a box-office disappointment.
It was this massive failure that got Hepburn the label of “box office poison” at the time. But ‘Bringing Up Baby’s reputation dramatically improved more than a decade later when it started getting television screenings.
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5. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ made its way to the theatre with a groundbreaking use of practical effects. But when a family-friendly heartwarming movie like ‘E.T the Extra-Terrestrial’ was playing next door, no one batted an eye towards ‘The Thing’.
Moreover, its graphic violence and bleak storytelling didn’t make it a favourite for the Oscar voters as well. Its brilliant creature effects ultimately got overlooked, and it remains one of the Academy’s most glaring snubs.
4. The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Coen brothers’ ‘The Big Lebowski’ was hardly an awards season darling upon its release. It underperformed at the box office and received very mixed critical reactions. Despite having a brilliant ensemble including Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman, it never got recognition from the Oscars.
But how many films can actually boast about having inspired their own religion? Ultimately, its endlessly quotable screenplay and eccentric characters won, and it got its cult following.
3. In The Mood For Love (2000)
Wong Kar-Wai’s ‘In The Mood For Love’ earned extraordinary international acclaim upon its release. Tony Leung became the first Hong Kong actor to win a Best Actor Award at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival.
However, it was completely ignored by the Oscars. The movie was actually submitted to the Academy for consideration as Hong Kong’s submission for that year, yet it failed to even get nominated.
2. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966)
Sergio Leone’s ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’ remains one of cinema’s most iconic westerns. Yet, it received no such acclaim from the Oscars. Spaghetti Westerns in general at the time were dismissed by critics as lowbrow.
It ultimately overshadowed the film’s brilliance. But today we know just how legendary the movie’s score and striking cinematography are. Even decades later, its unforgettable standoff remains a big part of pop culture.
1. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’ received zero Oscar nominations upon its release, even though today it is one of cinema’s most defining films. Once again, the Academy was dismissive of horror movies.
On top of it, there was the famous criticism by Stephen King himself. Infamously, the movie received two very controversial nominations at the Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Director and Worst Actress, though it had to rescind the latter because of the traumatic experience Shelley Duvall claimed she had to go through while filming the movie.
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