Top 25 Best Picture Nominees That Didn’t Win

Categorized |

Top 25 Best Picture Nominees That Didn’t Win

Posted on 04 February 2009 by Jordan Raup in

I’m willing to bet money you can’t find a person that agrees with all the Best Picture wins in the last 10 years, even 5 years. Everyone has favorite films each year that don’t win, let alone get recognized (see Children of Men, The Third Man, Vertigo). Then there are films fortunate enough to get nominated but couldn’t secure a win. These are not snubs in all cases, sometimes the winners are well deserved (see The Godfather Part II, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and No Country For Old Men). Here are the Top 25 Best Picture Nominees That Didn’t Win:

25. There Will Be Blood (2007) (nominated) - No Country For Old Men (winner)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of an Upton Sinclair novel about a greedy oil prospector does more than just retell the story. It paints a sprawling, vivid image with much credit going to Daniel Day-Lewis and his flawless performance.

24. E.T. (1982) – Gandhi

Steven Spielberg’s magical adventure about childhood touches the heart and appeals to anyone that is human (or extraterrestrial).

23. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - Forrest Gump

Definitely the best prison movie ever made. The charm of this film lies within the clever story and the top-notch acting.

22. Network (1976) – Rocky

A timeless film that accurately predicted over 30 years ago what defines modern media today. Also had the most recent posthumous award, for Peter Finch as Howard Beale. That is, until Heath Ledger wins this year.

21. L.A. Confidential (1997) – Titanic

This modern noir about classic Hollywood cinema is thoroughly absorbing and intellectually engrossing thanks to it’s powerful characters.

20. Fargo (1996) – The English Patient

A mature, dark comedy that exceeds in brilliant and original storytelling. Frances McDormand displays a subtle, endearing character that is a joy to watch.

19. Saving Private Ryan (1998) – Shakespeare in Love

A disturbingly realistic portrait of WWII. The first 20 minutes alone justifies it enough to be on this list, but the rest of the film has an intriguing story and riveting characters.

18. Good Will Hunting (1997) – Titanic

Gus Van Sant’s best film shines with great performances (specifically Damon + Williams), strong dialogue, and most of all, it thoroughly entertains.

17. Bonnie and Clyde (1967) – In The Heat Of The Night

A staple of American films, this crime classic delivers perfect performances and stunning landscapes. Critic Christopher Null says it correctly: “You’ll never root for the bad guys more than you will here.”

16. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) – An American In Paris

Featuring Marlon Brando’s best performance, this film about sexual repression and passion is not only one of the greatest adaptations ever it is an American classic.

15. The Conversation (1974) - The Godfather Part II

Although The Godfather Part II definitely deserved the trophy this year, Francis Ford Coppola’s film about paranoia and the growing invasion of technology in our lives was way ahead of its time. Gene Hackman also delivers a brilliant performance in this intelligent thriller.

14. The Graduate (1967) – In The Heat Of The Night

Meticulously and perfectly directed, this coming-of-age tale set a precedent for many indie imitators, with none living up to it. The unforgettable music and cinematography mark this as a true classic.

13. Dog Day Afternoon (1975) – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Another case where I have no problem with the winner, but this nominee is too remarkable to be disregarded. Pacino gives an electric performance in this expertly executed thriller. It not only wildly entertains, but thoroughly investigates human life and emotion, creating an iconic piece of cinema.

12. A Clockwork Orange (1971) – The French Connection

Hauntingly disturbing, Stanley Kubrick’s unsettling film still shocks almost 40 years later. This masterpiece is a visual rollercoaster of images you will never forget.

11. Taxi Driver (1976) – Rocky

How this or Network didn’t win Best Picture is beyond my mind. Scorsese’s brooding portrait of insanity is a timeless character study.

10. Chinatown (1974) – The Godfather Part II

Chinatown, The Godfather Part II, and The Conversation all in one year?! I don’t know how movie-goers were able to handle it all. Roman Polanski’s noir mystery is a faultless staple of cinematic storytelling.

9. Double Indemnity (1944) – Going My Way

Directed expertly by Bill Wilder, this classic film noir is sharp, witty and ultimately fun.

8. The Maltese Falcon (1941) – How Green Was My Valley

Perhaps the greatest directorial debut in cinema, John Huston’s The Maltese Falcon exceeds with impeccable dialogue and performances, especially the legendary Humphrey Bogart.

7. Raging Bull (1980) – Ordinary People

An authentic and brutal film in which De Niro delivers one of his best performances. Scorsese’s black and white style succeeds with overbearing results.

6. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb(1964) – My Fair Lady (1964)

It is the unsurpassed example of dark comedy. A political satire that transcends its genre, making it completely relevant fifty five years later.

5. Pulp Fiction (1994) - Forrest Gump

Making an unforgettable impact on pop culture, this film is the definition of entertaining. The perverse interconnected crime stories are chaotic and ultimately thrilling.

4. Jaws (1975) – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

I watched this film when I was way too young and had never been more terrified in my life. Spielberg’s pioneer summer blockbuster provides the thrills like no other and set a precedent for “beast” movies to come.

3. 12 Angry Men (1957) – The Bridge on the River Kwai

This Sidney Lumet masterpiece is a intense study in dialogue and debate. A film that focuses heavily on performances and delivery does more than just tell a story, it keeps the audience mesmerized.

2. Goodfellas (1990) – Dances With Wolves

Scorsese’s quintessential mob masterpiece goes down as the most upsetting Oscar loss. Everything about this film is brilliant; from the storytelling to the performances to the camerawork, there is not a moment that isn’t perfectly calculated.

1. Citizen Kane (1941) – How Green Was My Valley

Widely regarded a the best film of all time for some time now, it is no surprise that this masterpiece was snubbed at the Oscars. William Randolph Hearst was so against the film that it received numerous boos when it was even mentioned at the ceremony. We can now recognize it as the true technical and emotional marvel it is today. Welles has crafted such a potent character study that should be required viewing for, well, everyone.
Do you agree? Will we see another addition to the list if Slumdog Millionaire loses this year?

[by Jordan Raup]

Tags: brick, chinatown, citizen kane, daniel day-lewis, dog day afternoon, fargo, forrest gump, francis ford coppola, good will hunting, goodfellas, gus van sant, heath ledger, jaws, marlon brando, martin scorsese, Marvel, network, no country for old men, one flew over the cuckoo's nest, Oscars, pulp fiction, raging bull, Slumdog Millionaire, Snub, spielberg, steven spielberg, taxi driver, the godfather, there will be blood, thor, trial, WWII

Commenting Rules: Please keep the conversation civil and on topic. The commenting section is for debate, but please refrain from turning civil arguments into personal attacks. If your comment does not add to the debate in a constructive manner, it will be removed. Feel free to speak your mind, but do so with intelligence and respect. Insulting the author, The Film Stage, or other commenters will result in comment removal and possible ban. If you want to point out a typo, correction, suggestion or criticism for The Film Stage, please use the GetSatisfaction Feedback tab on the right side of the page or email us instead. If you would like to have your own Avatar show up with your comment, sign-up for a free Disqus account.

Peter

How about Apocalypse Now - Kramer vs. Kramer ?

Se7s

huh ?
The conversation over Godfather part 2 ?
Dogday afternoon?

Jordan Raup

The Conversation didn't win. The Godfather Part 2 did. The article is best films, period. Read it a bit closer.

Ben

This is the author's personal list of 25 Best Picture losers, and it should be respected. Notwithstanding, it is hard to imagine that Brokeback Mountain could have lost to Crash, or anything for that matter, as it is in the opinion of most mainstream critics the biggest upset loser in Oscar history, even worse than Citizen Kane losing to How Green Was My Valley, because Brokeback was so, so expected to win (and Kane was not, Sergeant York was...the Oscars are meaningless). Brokeback is a masterpiece, and certainly in my top 10 films that lost (or won), but this author prefers 25 other movies, his prerogative, no homophobia here.

FallOffAClift

I can't believe the list missed "It's A Wonderful Life". Clearly considered one of the best movies ever made and lost to "The Best Years of Our Lives" which was relevant at the time, but time has proven that it is not a better movie. Looking back it was one of the biggest Best Picture upsets of all time.

calvin

There isn't much space to argue it here, but Ordinary People is as good a film, in it's own way, as Raging Bull. It's apples and oranges when you can't have both.

As for Titanic: you should have mentioned the one film of that year that wasn't nominated: The Ice Storm.

Mr Pink

ET over Gandhi?
Jaws over One Flew?

Are you related to Spielberg?

Jordan Raup

Jaws is much better than One Flew, even though I love that movie as well. Gandhi really isn't that great outside of Kingsley's performance. I wish I was related to Spielberg though.

chuck

"I can not take your list seriously at all without
Brokeback Mountain not anywhere on it."

i found that comment kinda dumb.

"First of all, there has to been some for of homophobia going on here if “crash” win over Brokeback is not on your list."

i found that comment even dumber.

so why is the author of the blog post homophobic bc he/she doesn't include brokeback mountain? you don't know that person well enough to cry homophobia. ur just being hateful and ignorant when you say things like that. how come this list loses credibility to some just bc ONE movie wasn't included? i guess the author hates gay people. yeah, thats gotta be it. please, give me a break. like the author said, it's THEIR list and they find THESE movies to be superior. so stop crying about brokeback mountain. yeah, i liked that movie. it was heartbreaking and it was sad. but don't go crying that they didn't include it on this list. geez.

YoMama

While it is true The Academy doesn't always recognize greatness, they unfortunately have the hindsight to recognize those directors who should have won, later, when they've made a movie that isn't nearly as good as the others which have been nominated. Hence, you have movies which seem to win only on the director's laurels. Why not just go ahead and give them an Oscar for their body of work and not shut out a more deserving masterpiece?

Vivian

Generally I do not comment on blogs, but I want to say that your article really forced me to do so! really nice article.

Anonymous

I loved One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest but Dog Day Afternoon was amazing. Al Pacino was just, it was the best performance I've personally seen from an actor, i believed the emotion and also all of Stanley Kubrick's movies were good, that he never won an oscar for them is ridiculous.

Sin_Casaa

THE DARK KNIGHT!!!

Screwed out of soooo many awards and nominations because it is based on a comic book!!!

Screw the Academy!! Obviously The Dark Knight was doing something right, cause it is number 2 in the All-Time Box Office!!!!

Eric

I agree 100% on the Fargo/English Patient. Fargo was a masterpiece, the English Patient was boring as hell. I loved the "The English Patient" episode of Seinfeld because it summed up my feelings EXACTLY.

Alex

THE SHINING losing to ORDINARY PEOPLE? (Not even nominated!!!!???)

Or Dr. STRANGELOVE losing to MY FAIR LADY?

How about A CLOCKWORK ORANGE beat by THE FRENCH CONNECTION?

Finally 2001;A Space Odyssey never even NOMINATED!!!??? while Rachel, Rachel was...and OLIVER! Won in 1968?????)

Kubrick NEVER won a Best Picture or Best Director Oscar and belongs in the PANTHEON of GREAT PRODUCER-DIRECTORS....who NEVER won a ridiculous OSCAR! (Wells, Chaplin, Hitchcock, et al...)

Dim

Dances With Wolves is a better film than Goodfellas. Sorry.

enzycleepheli

Hello, I can't understand how to add your blog in my rss reader
------------------------
my blog: http://car-auto-loan.xetisa.ru/

MoriTonafor

yo, great name for site)))
------------------------
sponsor: http://werato.ru/

Breacethene

great domain name for blog like this)))
------------------------
sponsor: http://pedeno.ru/

Jordan Raup

...because it won Best Picture at the 1973 Academy Awards.

joe b

how is the godfather not number one or two let alone not on the list at all

Marty P.

The key words there are "my 25 favorite films".

Jordan Raup

Kristin: Once again, this is NOT the 25 worst upsets. These are the 25 BEST films that didn't win. Brokeback is a great movie and one of the worst upsets, but it is not in my 25 favorite films that got nominated but didn't win.

Kristin

How can Brokeback Mountain losing to Crash not be on this list?

TennisFan

I'll jump on the bandwagon and join my voice to others who consider that your list cannot be taken seriously if you omit the now legendary "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN". Sorry, get with the program. Any other year, the manipulative-contrived-preachy Crash could “maybe” have been a worthy winner for the Oscars but considering the juggernaut that was "Brokeback Mountain", walking into the Oscars with a whopping 26 Best Pictures wins under its belt (including BAFTA, Golden Globe, Venice Golden Lion, Producers Guild, Directors Guild, etc…) that upset just proved how much the Oscars are meaningless and irrelevant. Brokeback Mountain was a watershed, it was masterly directed & acted, and had previously virtually won every “BEST PICTURE” award - rarely does such a unanimous consensus happen.

Torrence5

I lost respect for the academy when it got caught up in the media-hype of past years & the phobia of older memebers. Brokeback Mountain was the best film of its year - nearly every industrialized nation gave Brokback Mountain its highest honor & the acting was superb; only the US with its prejudices overlooked this film. And this is from a straight guy. I also thought Mystic River was better than LOTR III, Saving Private Benjamine or even Elizabeth (a good historical film) over Shakespear in lov. LA Confidential or Good will Hunting over Titanic anytime. To many films pushed to Oscar wins by the media & a lot of hype - including the awful Forrest Gump over Remains of the Days. However, I did like Ordianary People (even over the incrediable Raging Bull) & think Star Wars was incrediable & culturally changing film - Oscar should have taken notice

blim

no, sorry, slumdog is in my opinion just not worth all the hype...
but, yes, ure right. wrestler well desevered an oscar this year! great acting by rourke...

venkiraja

Slumdog? You crazy. I wished for TDk there, but well Wrestler should win. BTW, I'm from India. (FYI, the film doesn't show the real India at all- as it claims)

blim

word man! slumdog is totally overrated and overhyped... not worth seeing...

felix

How about The Insider (one of the best films of the '90s)losing to American Beauty? AB is one of those films that, 10 years later, isn't held in high regard anymore (you can be sure that Slumdog millionaire will be one as well - although I'm not sure that many people hold it in particulalry high regard even now)

K. Bowen

Was Barry Lyndon nominated? I think it was. It should be up there.

K. Bowen

I don't agree with the order, but it's a strong list. And that Kane photo is the lead photo on my blog. Awesome.

moviebuffer

If you havent seen "How Green Was My Valley" please don't snub it. As a young boy, I watched it in the 1950s; I then read the book by Richard Llewelyn. I loved them both.

Adam

Some of the titles below belong on the list, I'm sure. Others I just think are great films, but they might not make the ranks.

The Wizard of Oz (1939, Gone With the Wind)
Sunset Blvd. (1950, All About Eve)
The Aviator (2004, Million Dollar Baby)
L. A. Confidential (1997, Titanic)
Beauty and the Beast (1991, The Silence of the Lambs)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, Platoon)
The Color Purple (1985, Out of Africa)
Apocalypse Now (1979, Kramer vs. Kramer)
The Exorcist (1973, The Sting)
Cabaret (1972, The Godfather)
Romeo and Juliet (1968, Oliver!)
Doctor Zhivago (1965, The Sound of Music)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962, Lawrence of Arabia)
The Red Shoes (1948, Hamlet)

Marty P.

I like the above replies that think I/we are over-rating Brokeback Mountain
or that we include it because we didn't understand the premise.

Jordan:
I understand the premise. I'm not over-rating the film, it belongs on
this list, just as it belonged on the academy's list of Best Picture winners.

I stand by my post: "I cannot take this list seriously without Brokeback
Mountain not anywhere on it." And especially if you consider The Wrestler
worthy of being on it if it had been nominated.

Brokeback Mountain still resonates three years later with so many people
that it outsold most of the screenings of the academy's great to be nominated
series, many of which are on your list above.

I don't expect Brokeback Mountain to appear on many lists like this because
most lists of the "best" films from any group or organization are heavily male
oriented opinion, or male-centric, as Meryl Streep says, and that is why The
Godfather films, Goodfellas and other Scorcese fare, war films or action
oriented fare are on the lists. If a list of films like this was compiled by a mostly woman oriented base of opinion, don't you think it would probably be entirely different than a list of mostly male opinion? Might that list include Cabaret, which won 8 oscars, over The Godfather, that won three? Or any musical.
Might it not include the briliant The Lion in Winter? Notice that you have NO romantic stories of any kind on your list. Notice that you include none of the nominated Best Pictures on your list that have a strong female only lead in them; films that were and are labeled "women's pictures".

But, as you said, it is "your" list. All of us who have replied would most
likely have entirely different lists. Mine would include Brokeback Mountain
as well as The Lion in Winter, Cabaret, The Last Picture Show, Who's Afraid of
Virginia Woolf, High Noon, Field of Dreams, Atonement and Sunset Boulevard.

Rhinosaur

You guys are way overrating Brokeback.

I think the biggest travesties were Raging Bull, Shawshank and Kane.

I remember being crushed as a child when E.T. didn't win.

And for those of you who "don't get" Kane...just go to your DVD collection and throw out every movie. THAT is Kane's influence.

Jordan Raup

For all of those saying Brokeback Mountain should be on there: This is NOT a list of upsets. These are the 25 best films that were nominated, but did not win the Oscar. Brokeback Mountain is a great film, I love it, but these 25 are better in my opinion.

Jakey

First of all, there has to been some for of homophobia going on here if "crash" win over Brokeback is not on your list. Second, as good and emotional as "Titanic" was, L.A. Confidential was a more deserving choice for it's artistic and acting qualities.

Archie_Leach

"2001: A Space Odyssey" lost to "Oliver!" at the 1969 Awards.

But as we ALL know now, it does take years for many a introspection and re-evaluation of Kubrick films to catch what Masterpieces that Kubrick pretty much always created. Interesting that "The Shining" is slowly climbing up the charts of admired films.

Patrick

All credibility is flushed down the toilet when you don't include "Brokeback Mountain" losing to "Crash."

Marty P.

I can not take your list seriously at all without
Brokeback Mountain not anywhere on it.

Heider

I agree with all of them, except for Good Will Hunting, I think that Good will hunting is a very boring movie actually, and it will always be a mystery (at least to me) how good will hunting beat boogie nights as best original screenplay.

alskyano

Cool list.
For me, The Hours which lost to Chicago.

blim

slumdog is awful... i can't describe how mad i am about that whole bollywood crap and dancing scenes...such a unrealistic and uninteresting story... a acadamy nominee for this "masterpiece" is a joke anyway!!!

btw, great list..:)

Jordan Raup

marc: I love One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and it definitely deserved to win. I think Jaws is a classic as well though.

8. Anonymous: Milk does not deserve to be on the list at all. Great performances, above average movie.

9. Anonymous: If Wrestler was nominated and didn't win, it would be on the list. Too bad it didnt even get recognized

10. Anonymous: I didn't really like Gangs of NY. I somehow forgot Apocalypse Now, that would be really high. I don't know how I missed it.

11. Sam: Do The Right Thing was only nominated for best supporting actor and writing. If it was nominated for BP though, it would have been on the list. Fantastic movie and now on Netflix Watch Instantly!

sam

Was DO THE RIGHT THING nominated for best picture because if it was it deserve to be on this list

Anonymous

I would add Gangs of New York (lost to Chicago), Apocalypse Now (Kramer vs Kramer), Star Wars (Annie Hall)

Anonymous

A clockwork orange should be higher. Wrestler could be on a list like this eventually, considering it didn't even get a nom.

Anonymous

slumdog and/or milk are both good enough for this list. good will hunting and pulp fiction should be higher

John

1975 and 1976 have been mentioned but I want to add to them. In 1975 "Jaws" was the best picture but if it had to go to another film I would have chosen "Nashville" which is a masterpiece. For that matter I also preferred "Dog Day Afternoon" over "Cuckoo's Nest" which is a good but not great film. As far as 1976 goes I would say the Best Picture was "All The President's Men" with "Network" a close second.

par3182

brokeback

Robert

I agree. I would go for Jaws over Cuckoo's Nest. Jaws is far more iconic and memorable and it probably has the finest acting performances and the most intelligent script of any so called huge summer blockbuster movies.......and that's even before we get to the genius directing and superbly brilliant musical score.

I would also say that Robert Shaw's performance as Quint in Jaws trumps Jack Nicholson's in Cuckoo's Nest. Let's face it, Nicholson didn't do anything he doesn't usually do in all his other roles. He just played Jack Nicholson. Same as he always does. Shaw as Quint was unlike any other role he ever did. His USS Indianapolis monologue is surely one of the greatest acting moments in movie history.

Jaws is MUCH MUCH more than just a scary film about a big fish and I would say that more people can name more classic moments from Jaws than they could from Cuckoo's Nest.

Jaws was a worldwide iconic cultural phenomenon that became part of pop culture and still is part of pop culture. Can you say the same about One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest? I don't think so.

Robert Hamer

Pretty good list, but there is one film that isn't mentioned that I think should be: Nashville. Not only is it the best Robert Altman film by far (sorry, M*A*S*H fans) but also probably the best ensemble movie ever made.

In fact, I would even go so far as to say that Nashville has held up better than One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest over the years. It's simply brilliant.

Other films that I think deserve a mention are The Wizard of Oz, It's a Wonderful Life, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Some Like It Hot, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Sideways.

James

Jaws is a far more special film than described above, in the comment and the blurb. It's special not as the first blockbuster, or beast movie template (which it isn't), but as a subtle and brilliantly acted character study. Different to Cuckoo's nest in almost every way - but as a drama just as good, if not - and just my opinion - superior.

marc

Really, to compare "Jaws" with "One flew over the cuckoo's nest" seems a little ...exaggerated?! And I try to be polite here, even if you were scared by the shark! :)

Turkish

I never understood Citizen Kane, I don't consider it special.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Popular
Latest
Comments
Tags
Subscribe

Categorized |