Oscars 2025: 6 Biggest Snubs in the History of Academy; From Citizen Kane to Brokeback Mountain

On the grand occasion of Hollywood’s most prestigious event, the Oscars, intended to honor outstanding achievements in cinema, there are moments when the Academy misses the mark. Over the decades, some truly legendary films, directors, and actors have left without a trophy, leaving both fans and critics puzzled. From visionary filmmakers who never received the Best Director award to movies that lost out to less impactful counterparts, these oversights have become an intrinsic part of Oscar lore. As we eagerly anticipate the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, let’s revisit six of the most significant snubs in Oscars history.

Citizen Kane, Losing Best Picture (1942)

At the 14th Academy Awards, Orson Welles’ masterpiece, ‘Citizen Kane’, was anticipated to sweep many awards. However, to the surprise of many, it didn’t take home the Best Picture statue. Instead, that honor went to ‘How Green Was My Valley’, a film that is not as celebrated today compared to ‘Citizen Kane’. Despite its groundbreaking narrative and technical advancements, ‘Citizen Kane’ garnered just one win, for its exceptional screenplay.

Alfred Hitchcock Never Winning Best Director

Alfred Hitchcock, known as the “Master of Suspense,” created some of the most impactful movies in cinema, including ‘Psycho,’ ‘Vertigo,’ and ‘The Birds.’ Despite being nominated five times for Best Director, he never received the award. The Academy attempted to rectify this oversight by presenting him with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1968, but it was a modest compensation for such a colossal figure in filmmaking.

Glenn Close’s Record Number of Nominations Without a Win

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my admiration for Glenn Close, who holds an unfortunate record of eight Oscar nominations without a victory. Her gripping portrayals in movies such as ‘Fatal Attraction,’ ‘Dangerous Liaisons,’ and ‘The Wife’ have earned her numerous nods, yet she remains without the coveted statue. In 2019, there was a widespread belief that she would finally claim her win for ‘The Wife.’ However, the Oscar went to Olivia Colman for ‘The Favourite,’ leaving Glenn Close still hopeful for her moment of triumph.

‘Saving Private Ryan’ Losing to ‘Shakespeare in Love’ (1999)

1999 saw an unexpected turn of events at the Oscars when ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ a powerful World War II drama, was outshined by ‘Shakespeare in Love’ in the Best Picture category. Some believe this upset was due to Harvey Weinstein’s persistent campaigning efforts, which managed to sway voters towards the romantic period piece rather than Steven Spielberg’s critically acclaimed war film.

Stanley Kubrick Never Winning Best Director

Stanley Kubrick, a cinematic innovator, crafted some of the most thought-provoking and visually stunning films in history, such as ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’ ‘A Clockwork Orange,’ and ‘The Shining.’ Despite being nominated for four Best Director awards, he never received one. His sole Oscar was for the category of Best Visual Effects for ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, an unexpected recognition given the profound influence he had on the film industry.

‘Brokeback Mountain‘ Losing Best Picture (2006)

At the 2006 Academy Awards, when Jack Nicholson declared that ‘Crash’ had been chosen as Best Picture instead of ‘Brokeback Mountain‘, it was a surprise not only to audiences worldwide but also to its director Paul Haggis himself. Many believed that Ang Lee’s ‘Brokeback Mountain’, with its groundbreaking tale of love between two cowboys, was the clear frontrunner for the award. Later on, even Haggis admitted that he felt his film wasn’t as deserving as ‘Brokeback Mountain’.

Over the years, the Oscars have given movie enthusiasts a wealth of memorable moments. However, they’ve also created a pathway of snubbed nominees that have left viewers feeling frustrated. This includes renowned directors who never triumphed, actors who were overlooked despite their talent, and movies that lost to less impactful competitors. These instances highlight the fact that even the most esteemed awards in Hollywood don’t always align with history’s final verdict. As we approach the Oscars 2025, let’s cross our fingers and hope that this time, the Academy makes the right choices.

2025-03-01 10:07