19 Oscar snubs that can literally break your heart 

Winning an Oscar is considered the highest recognition of excellence in cinema—but sometimes, the Academy gets it completely wrong. Over the years, legendary performances have been overlooked, visionary directors have been snubbed, and groundbreaking films have lost to forgettable ones. Whether it’s a shocking loss, a baffling omission, or an actor never receiving their due, these snubs have outraged fans and broken the hearts of film lovers.

From Jake Gyllenhaal’s chilling performance in Nightcrawler to Marilyn Monroe never even receiving a nomination, here are 19 Oscar snubs that still sting to this day.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer’s perspective. Reader discretion is advised.

1. Jake Gyllenhaal – Nightcrawler (2014)

Jake Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of the unhinged crime journalist Lou Bloom was one of the most unnerving performances of the decade. His drastic weight loss, unsettling mannerisms, and manipulative charm created a character both terrifying and mesmerizing. Critics widely praised his transformative performance, calling it career-defining—but the Academy gave him the cold shoulder, shockingly snubbing him for a nomination. Nightcrawler itself only secured a nod for Best Original Screenplay, despite its gripping cinematography and chilling atmosphere that added to the film’s haunting impact.

2. Adam Sandler – Uncut Gems (2019)

Adam Sandler shocked audiences with his electrifying performance as Howard Ratner, a high-stakes gambler spiraling out of control. Uncut Gems was a relentless, anxiety-inducing ride, and Sandler delivered a career-best performance, embodying desperation and addiction with raw intensity. Despite earning numerous Best Actor awards from critics, the Academy failed to recognize him with a nomination. In response, Sandler jokingly threatened to make the “worst movie ever” as payback for the not winning the award.

3. Jim Carrey – The Truman Show (1998) & Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Jim Carrey has faced major Oscar snubs, but The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind hurt the most. In The Truman Show, he captured the horror of a man realizing his life was a reality show. He won a Golden Globe, yet the Academy ignored him. Six years later, he gave a heartbreaking performance in Eternal Sunshine, shedding his comedic persona—only to be snubbed again. Despite critical acclaim, the Oscars never recognized and his talent.

4. Chadwick Boseman – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)

Chadwick Boseman’s final performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was electrifying. His portrayal of a tortured musician, grappling with ambition, racism, and deep trauma, was gut-wrenching. He was posthumously awarded the Golden Globe and several critics' awards, making him an Oscar shoe-in and the sentimental favorite. But in a shocking turn of events, Anthony Hopkins took Best Actor for The Father, leaving audiences stunned and disappointed. The upset resulted in one of the most controversial and debated Oscar moments of all time.

5. Toni Collette – Hereditary (2018)

Horror performances are usually left in the cold by the Oscars, but the snubbing of Toni Collette in Hereditary is perhaps one of the most egregious examples. The visceral performance by the actress- as a disturbing mother writhing in terror-gained her applause. Her monologues were gut-wrenching, and her breakdowns were visceral enough to have audiences wordless. Her work was said to be Oscar-worthy, but the Academy simply ignored both her and the film.

6. Amy Adams – Arrival (2016)

Amy Adams delivered a career-defining performance as a linguist deciphering an alien language in Arrival. Her quiet intensity, emotional depth, and nuanced portrayal of grief were deeply moving. The film earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, yet Adams was shockingly left out. Many believed she was a lock for Best Actress, especially given her history of Oscar snubs. The Academy’s failure to recognize her only reinforced the belief that Adams is one of Hollywood’s most consistently overlooked talents.

7. Lupita Nyong’o – Us (2019)

After an Oscar for 12 Years a Slave, Lupita Nyong'o reminded everyone with a staggeringly accomplished dual turn in Us, fear-stricken mother and evil double. She can go with scary speed from one to the other. The horror genre rarely gets an Oscar mention and in the face of Us's good reviews and box office success, did not get any recognition for Nyong'o. Fans and critics alike were outraged, calling it one of the worst snubs of the decade.

8. Emily Blunt – A Quiet Place (2018)

In A Quiet Place, Emily Blunt delivered an electrifying, nearly wordless performance, relying on facial expressions and body language to convey pure terror. The bathtub birth scene alone was Oscar-worthy. She won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her an expected Oscar nominee—yet the Academy shockingly ignored her. While A Quiet Place won for sound editing, Blunt’s snub was glaring, especially given the film’s emotional depth and unique approach to horror storytelling.

9. Christopher Nolan – The Dark Knight (2008)

Despite revolutionizing the superhero genre with The Dark Knight, the film wouldn't even budge Christopher Nolan off the sidelines for the Best Director spot. The film had a gripping narrative, excellent practical effects, and Heath Ledger was simply unforgettable as the Joker, making it one of the most critically acclaimed films. While the film itself earned eight nominations at the Oscars, the complete shutout of Nolan brought massive outrage. The backlash eventually led to an increase in the Best Picture field from five nominees to ten.

10. Greta Gerwig – Little Women (2019)

Greta Gerwig’s Little Women was a masterfully crafted adaptation, earning six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. However, the most shocking omission was in the Best Director category, reigniting debates about the Academy’s bias against female filmmakers. Critics widely agreed that Gerwig’s ability to breathe new life into a beloved classic while making it resonate with modern audiences was an achievement worthy of recognition. While Little Women won for awards for costume design and adapted screenplay, Gerwig’s absence remained one of the biggest snubs.

11. Ava DuVernay – Selma (2014)

Selma was one of 2014’s most powerful films, depicting Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic march for voting rights. Ava DuVernay’s direction earned widespread acclaim, yet she was shockingly ignored for Best Director. As a Black female filmmaker, her exclusion highlighted the Academy’s ongoing diversity issues. While Selma received a Best Picture nomination and won Best Original Song, DuVernay’s snub drew heavy criticism. It was one of the key moments that fueled the #OscarsSoWhite movement, calling out for the lack of inclusivity.

12. Alfred Hitchcock – Never Won a Best Director Oscar

Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most influential directors in cinematic history, never won a Best Director Oscar. Despite creating masterpieces like Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo, his genius was repeatedly overlooked by the Academy. His only Oscar recognition came in 1968 with the honorary Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. Hitchcock’s snub remains one of the most baffling in Oscar history, especially given his lasting impact on the thriller and suspense genre. Despite shaping the language of cinema, he never received an Oscar.

13. The Social Network (2010) – Lost to The King’s Speech

David Fincher’s The Social Network was a razor-sharp, generation-defining film about the rise of Facebook. With Aaron Sorkin’s masterful screenplay and Jesse Eisenberg’s career-best performance, it seemed poised to dominate the Oscars. However, the Academy played it safe, awarding Best Picture to The King’s Speech—a well-crafted but traditional historical drama. More than a decade later, The Social Network is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of the 21st century, making its loss to The King’s Speech even more frustrating.

14. Brokeback Mountain (2005) – Lost to Crash

Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain was a groundbreaking film about forbidden love, earning widespread acclaim. It won major awards, including the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Directors Guild Award, making it the clear frontrunner for Best Picture. However, in a shocking upset, Crash took the top prize. Many critics and fans consider this one of the worst Oscar snubs, speculating the Academy was uncomfortable with its themes. Over time, Brokeback Mountain has aged as a masterpiece, while Crash is seen as overhyped and simplistic in its portrayal of racism.

15. La La Land (2016) – Infamous Mix-up with Moonlight

La La Land’s Oscar moment was one of the most chaotic in history. For a few minutes, it was declared Best Picture—only for the mistake to be corrected, with Moonlight revealed as the real winner. Though Moonlight was a deserving choice, La La Land was a stunning filmmaking achievement, with breathtaking cinematography, unforgettable music, and a gut-punch ending. Its win seemed almost certain. However, the infamous mix-up overshadowed its legacy, making this one of the most bizarre and painful Oscar snubs ever.

16. Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction (1994)

Samuel L. Jackson delivered an iconic performance as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction. His monologues, presence, and cool yet menacing demeanor made him unforgettable. Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, he lost to Martin Landau for Ed Wood. Though Landau’s performance was strong, Jackson’s remains one of the most legendary in film history. The snub feels even more frustrating given Jackson’s career. While he finally received an honorary Oscar in 2022, many still believe he should have won for Pulp Fiction.

17. Robert De Niro – The Irishman (2019)

Robert De Niro delivered a masterful performance as Frank Sheeran, an aging hitman grappling with regret. His subtle, emotionally restrained acting was widely praised, yet while Al Pacino and Joe Pesci earned nominations, De Niro was shockingly overlooked. Given the film’s decades-spanning narrative and De Niro’s ability to convey deep sorrow with just a look, his snub felt completely undeserved. The Irishman ultimately lost to Parasite, but De Niro’s omission from the Best Actor category remains one of the most heartbreaking Oscar oversights.

18. Marilyn Monroe – Never Nominated for an Oscar

Despite being one of the greatest film actresses of all time, Marilyn Monroe never received an Oscar nomination. Some Like It Hot (1959) and Bus Stop (1956) showcased her undeniable talent, yet the Academy dismissed her as merely a beauty icon. In reality, Monroe was a dedicated actress who brought charm, vulnerability, and comic brilliance to her roles. Her snub reflects the industry’s bias against women who didn’t fit the mold of a “serious actress,” leaving her legacy as one of Hollywood’s most overlooked talents.

19. Leonardo DiCaprio – Titanic (1997)

Leonardo DiCaprio's acting as Jack Dawson in Titanic launched him to superstardom, but the Academy failed to recognize his brilliance with even a nod. As Titanic swept the Oscars in 11 wins with Best Picture, he was nowhere to be seen in Best Actor. Many feel that because of his teen heartthrob status at the time, the Academy thought of snubbing him. It took nearly 20 years for DiCaprio to finally win an Oscar for The Revenant in 2016.