20 times the Oscars surprised us with a nomination/win

The Academy Awards, or the Oscars, is one of the most significant and coveted awards for movies by the film industry and its viewers. Both the awards and the nominations are something that the viewers eagerly wait for and with the recent release of the nominations, the excitement is on the high for this year’s Oscars. In this list, we are going to talk about 20 times Oscars surprised us with a nomination/win.

1) Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)

Fernanda Toress’ nomination at the Oscars was surprising as she became the only second Brazilian to be nominated for the Best Actress category. Her mother was the first Brazilian actress to get a nomination at the Oscars for this category in 1999. Fernanda Torress won the Golden Globe Award for the Best Actress category for the movie I’m Still Here. The movie is based on Marcelo Ruben Paiva’s memoir of the same name.

2) CODA

CODA was produced by Apple TV+, which is relatively new in the industry. The movie was critically acclaimed for its focus on the deaf community and the challenges that they face. The movie had strong competitors in the category but became the first movie with a predominantly deaf cast to win in this category.

3) James Mangold (A Complete Unknown)

James Mangold received three nominations at the Academy Awards for his movie A Complete Unknown. He had received nominations for other movies, but it seems like this will be his year, according to the viewers. James Mangold is known for his action-packed movies; however, A Complete Unknown is a shift from his usual genre, showcasing his capability as a versatile filmmaker.

4) Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Sebastian Stan, who is primarily known for his roles in superhero movies, surprised the viewers with his performance in The Apprentice. The movie did not have a successful box office response, which sometimes can hinder a movie’s Oscar prospects. However, Sebastian Stan received the nomination for Best Actor for The Apprentice, which the viewers found surprising.

5) Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

The nomination of the movie Borat Subsequent Moviefilm was a surprise to the viewers considering the comedic genre, which is rarely recognized in the Oscars. The movie is filled with political satire, which has received polar reviews from viewers and voters. The movie revolves around the themes of cultural clash, feminism, and the dangers of misinformation.

6) The Substance

This body horror film, directed by Coralie Fargeat, is visually striking and thought-provoking according to the viewers. The Substance produces a disturbing and unsettling atmosphere exploring the themes of aging, vanity, and the extent to which people can go for youth and fame. The movie has received five nominations at the Oscars, which was indeed surprising considering the movie’s low budget, which caters to a niche audience.

7) America Ferrera (Barbie)

Barbie’s overall performance at the box office and the huge fanbase it amassed made it surprising that the movie’s lead, Margot Robbie, and director, Greta Gerwig, didn't receive any nominations. Though America Ferrera’s performance was notable, it was not a standout, unlike the movie’s leads, which surprised the viewers considering the nomination.

8) Sterling K Brown (American Fiction)

American Fiction is a relatively low-profile movie, unlike the other blockbuster movies; hence, its nomination at the Oscars of 2024 was surprising to the viewers. This comedy-drama movie is based on the novel by Percival Everett. The film explores the themes of black representation, identity, and marketability in literature and media. The movie received widespread recognition and was praised for its thought-provoking themes.

9) Colman Domingo (Rustin)

Rustin is a biopic of Bayard Rustin, who was an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement and was known for his socialism and nonviolence. Colman received a nomination for Best Actor at the Oscars for this movie, which surprised the viewers considering the movie’s competitions of that year. The movie and Colman’s nuanced performance of a complex character portraying the challenges of racism and homophobia resonated with the viewers. Colman Domingo elevated the film beyond a standard biopic, which received immense critical appreciation.

10) Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway)

Causeway is an intimate drama movie where the primary focus is on Jennifer Lawrence. Brian Tyree Henry’s nomination at the Oscars was surprising to the viewers because even though his performance was nuanced and significant in the movie, it was a supporting role. His character in the movie is known for its subtlety and emotional depth, which Brian Tyree Henry performed with perfection, according to the viewers.

11) Diane Warren (Tell It Like a Woman)

Diane Warren is a successful and prolific songwriter who has won numerous Grammy Awards. She was nominated for the song "Applause" in the movie Tell It Like A Woman. However, she has received several Oscar nominations but did not receive the awards, which caused anticipation for this nomination and was a surprise to the viewers. Tell It Like A Woman is an anthology movie where multiple directors directed different parts of the movie.

12) Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie)

To Leslie had limited screening, unlike its contenders, and had a smaller distributor. As a result, many were unaware of the movie. To Leslie grossed only $27,000 at the box office and was considered an independent movie, which surprised viewers with its nomination for the Oscars. The Oscar nominations sparked the viewers' interest, and the viewers noticed the powerful performance of Andrea Riseborough.

13) Javier Bardem, J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos)

That year, several other biopics were released, which increased the competition for Being The Ricardos, and the nominations at the Oscars were surprising to the viewers for this reason. The movie was primarily released on Amazon Prime, which limited the wider reach of other movies, limiting the number of viewers as well. Despite the challenges that the movie faced, the nominations at the Oscars have mixed reviews from the viewers.

14) Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Kristen Stewart is known primarily for her role in movies like Twilight, which caters to young adult audiences, so her portrayal of Princess Diana in the movie Spencer was a pleasant surprise, and her performance in the movie receiving an Oscar nomination was no less of a surprise either for the viewers. The nomination elevated her career as she proved her capability of taking on challenging and unconventional roles.

15) Flee

Flee had an unprecedented achievement at the Oscars, with three nominations in major categories. The complex issues and the sensitive topics that this movie deals with resonated with the viewers. The viewers were surprised by how this movie broke down traditional notions of animated movies, and the nominations recognized the movie’s innovative approach and unique storytelling.

16) Belfast

Belfast had some strong competitors at the nominations for the Oscars; however, it won the Best Original Screenplay, surprising the viewers. The movie tells the story of Kenneth Branagagh’s childhood experiences. The movie has been appreciated for its nostalgic and sentimental tone by the viewers. The movie had a unique visual style of storytelling, exploring the themes of love, family, and the importance of community resonated with the audience.

17) Drive My Car

Drive My Car’s win at the Oscars was a pleasant surprise to the viewers. Oscar’s recognition of a foreign language movie, even though it had limited marketing, proved the movie’s quality. The themes of grief, loss, and self-discovery have been uniquely portrayed in the movie. This highly artistic and auteur-driven movie, which usually is not accessible by mainstream viewers, has generated immense positive responses after its Oscar win.

18) Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once)

Despite having a long and successful career, Michelle Yeoh’s win at the Oscars for Best Actress was a surprise for many viewers. Though the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once was critically acclaimed, it received mainstream viewership after its nominations at the Oscars. Yeoh’s win made history as she was the first Asian woman to win in this category. In spite of having strong competition with other actresses in this category, her performance resonated with the viewers and gave her a career boost.

19) "Naatu Naatu" (RRR)

"Naatu Naatu" became the first Indian song to win at the Oscars, breaking the barriers for Indian movies and giving it a global stage. It was a pleasant surprise to the viewers, considering Indian cinema’s limited Oscar history. The high-energy choreography of the song became a global phenomenon resonating with viewers worldwide and has become culturally significant.

20) Pinnochio

The 2022 movie Pinnochio by Guillermo Del Toro had strong competitors in the category of Best Animated Film at the Oscars. However, the movie’s win at the Oscars was a pleasant surprise to the viewers, considering the dark tones of the movie. Pinnochio is a mature reimagining of the classic tale of Pinnochio. Despite having a primary release on Netflix, which is not usually considered a traditional Oscar contender, the visuals and storytelling of the movie resonated with the viewers.