Updated 2/1/23
Once again the Oscars are set to be all-white (with one exception), which means that a host of deserving movies, directors and actors will be snubbed (namely, Just Mercy, which doesn't have a single nomination). But this is far from a new trend as downright masterpieces have been overlooked, dismissed and utterly ignored by the Academy for decades. Here are the eight worst examples:
9. Straight Outta Compton
This NWA biopic did manage to score one Oscar nomination (for Best Original Screenplay) but apparently even that was a miracle as a few Academy voters anonymously revealed that many of their peers had refused to even watch Straight Outta Compton. Why? Because the movie had dared to sincerely chronicle the rise and fall of a rap group.
8. Nope
9. Straight Outta Compton
This NWA biopic did manage to score one Oscar nomination (for Best Original Screenplay) but apparently even that was a miracle as a few Academy voters anonymously revealed that many of their peers had refused to even watch Straight Outta Compton. Why? Because the movie had dared to sincerely chronicle the rise and fall of a rap group.
8. Nope
7. Black Panther
The odds of a comic book movie snagging the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' highest honor has always been a long-shot and an MCU flick with an all-Black cast was probably out of the realm of possibility. But Black Panther's quality and critical-acclaim (not to mention its billion-dollar grosses) far outshine the eventual winner: white-savior film, Green Book.
6. Do the Right Thing
While the movie received Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (for Danny Aiello), it's widely believed that Do the Right Thing was snubbed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a Best Picture nomination. The award ultimately went to Driving Miss Daisy (which is widely regarded as racially-insensitive), which beat out Born on the Fourth of July, Dead Poets Society, Field of Dreams and My Left Foot at the 62nd annual Academy Awards ceremony on March 26, 1990.
In 2014, President Barack Obama revealed that Do the Right Thing was the movie that he took wife Michelle to see on their first date.
Munich, one of director Steven Spielberg's best films, was absolutely robbed at the 78th Academy Awards. Though the movie received five nominations, including one for Best Picture, it came away with nothing.
4. Selma
While this long overdue biopic of Dr. King was nominated for the coveted trophy, the movie lost to Birdman -- which seemed to be enjoyed only by critics as opposed to, you know, people who actually pay for movie tickets.
3. Malcolm X
The 65th winner for Best Picture, Unforgiven, was by no means a bad choice for the honor but the fact that Spike Lee's epic biopic of the legendary human rights leader failed to receive a nomination in the category is nothing short of a crime. Though star Denzel Washington was nominated for a Best Actor award, Lee was completely ignored as a Best Director nominee as well.
2. Chadwick Boseman
4. Selma
While this long overdue biopic of Dr. King was nominated for the coveted trophy, the movie lost to Birdman -- which seemed to be enjoyed only by critics as opposed to, you know, people who actually pay for movie tickets.
3. Malcolm X
The 65th winner for Best Picture, Unforgiven, was by no means a bad choice for the honor but the fact that Spike Lee's epic biopic of the legendary human rights leader failed to receive a nomination in the category is nothing short of a crime. Though star Denzel Washington was nominated for a Best Actor award, Lee was completely ignored as a Best Director nominee as well.
2. Chadwick Boseman
1. Saving Private Ryan
Though the film did manage to take home five statuettes in 1999, the Best Picture Oscar that this WWII masterpiece deserved went to period rom-com Shakespeare in Love, of all things.
Originally Posted 2/9/20
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