The Oscars are the premier ceremony recognizing cinematic achievement each year, even if many don’t agree with the Academy’s decisions. Redditors have made their opinions known about the performances they wanted to see get nominated but the actors missed out on.
With a fresh batch of nominees once again announced, it’s worth looking back on the years when certain performances got significant buzz but ultimately weren’t honored. The movies in question also deserve a rewatch or mention in order for a wider audience to learn about the actors’ more overlooked roles. While the actors who did get nominations did great jobs as well, those who had standout roles in the same years shouldn’t be forgotten either.
Jake Gyllenhaal – Nightcrawler (2014)
Nightcrawler is among the best films starring Jake Gyllenhaal, being a big hit with audiences and critics. However, the actor didn’t get a nomination for his role, about which Redditor Big_Screen_Addicted writes “was easily one of the most compelling anti-heroes we’d seen on the big screen in years.”
The movie is about Lou Bloom, a petty thief who realizes he can sell sensationalist stories to the news and plans out situations to benefit himself. Gyllenhaal was essentially the villain as well as the main character but was overlooked at the Oscars, even after receiving Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
Robert Shaw – Jaws (1975)
Redditor fedaykin13 thinks one of the biggest travesties by the Oscars was when “Robert Shaw wasn’t even nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Jaws.” The monster movie took the world by storm at the time and Shaw’s character, Quint, is considered the breakout star.
The film sees Quint and his allies attempt to survive a man-eating shark and Jaws’ scares still hold up today after nearly 50 years. Strangely enough, Jaws didn’t get nominated for any major Oscar awards, and Shaw being overlooked hasn’t aged well in the eyes of fans who consider his performance a standout.
Michael Fassbender – Shame (2011)
Redditor ozz14 thinks “Michael Fassbender should’ve gotten one for his work in Shame,” which is a dark movie about a man with dangerous sex addiction. Fassbender is known for a variety of roles, such as X-Men’s Magneto and a sinister android in the horror movie Prometheus, but Shame shows a more realistic and scary story.
The movie does show some extreme profanity and vulgar imagery, but Fassbender garnered acclaim for his no-holds-barred portrayal of the dangers of addiction. The actor did receive Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominations prior to the Oscar snub.
Hugh Jackman – Prisoners (2013)
Redditor DrAneurysm writes that their biggest beef with the Academy is due to “Hugh Jackman not getting nominated for Best Actor for Prisoners.” The movie is about the abduction of two young girls and the vigilantist methods of their parents, who kidnap the suspect to interrogate him about the whereabouts of their daughters.
Jackman’s performance is haunting, to say the least, as his character’s well intentions turn him into a monster. Prisoners is unlike most other work that Jackman has seen in his career, but the Oscars didn’t recognize the role with a nomination, which fans are still sour about.
Amy Adams – Arrival (2016)
Redditor kilometers815 says that “Amy Adams not getting in Best Actress last year for Arrival was pretty egregious.” The movie is about the sudden appearance of aliens on Earth who communicate with Adams’ character about the future and humanity’s part in preserving the aliens’ species.
While larger audiences saw Amy Adams’ portrayal of Lois Lane in the same year, critics saw her role in Arrival as her best performance. The film received eight nominations at the Oscars, including Best Picture, yet Adams was left out where acting nominations were concerned.
Idris Elba – Beasts Of No Nation (2015)
Redditor AD_1172 says that the biggest snub was “Idris Elba from Beasts of No Nation – along with the film itself not getting a nomination.” Elba has a supporting role in the movie, which focuses on a young boy in the backdrop of a brutal civil war in his country.
The actor was nominated in the supporting category for the BAFTA and Golden Globe awards, winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the Screen Actors Guild ceremony. The Oscars didn’t take his portrayal into consideration, however, with Elba missing out on a nomination.
Val Kilmer – Tombstone (1993)
Tombstone is a western about three brothers who move to a new town to start afresh but are haunted by their past and forced to fight again. A now-deleted Redditor claims that Val Kilmer should’ve gotten an Oscar nomination, writing “that year the supporting category was stacked, but still.”
Kilmer was still a year away from his most mainstream role as Batman at the time, so Tombstone marked an occasion where the actor received major buzz in his career. Kilmer’s support ultimately wasn’t enough for him to land a nomination, although his character, Doc Holiday, remains very popular.
Oscar Isaac – Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
The Coen brothers always receive Oscar buzz whenever they release a new movie and Inside Llewyn Davis was no exception. Oscar Isaac was in the lead role and Redditor greg225 writes, “I’m okay with him not winning but I wish Oscar Isaac had at least been nominated.”
The story is minimalist in its approach, detailing the struggles of a folk singer pursuing musical success. Inside Llewyn Davis is largely seen as Isaac’s breakthrough role that got him mainstream attention, so it’s a shame the part didn’t get him an Oscar nomination to cement his ascension into the big leagues.
Sean Astin – The Lord Of The Rings (2001 – 2003)
There’s no arguing against the cultural impact that The Lord of the Rings trilogy has had on cinema, winning the Best Picture Oscar when fantasy movies are almost always overlooked. Redditor ucancallmevicky argues that Sean Astin “is the heart and soul of those movies and does a phenomenal job.”
Astin stars as Samwise Gamgee, who aids Frodo Baggins across Middle-earth to destroy the One Ring. Sam is the one who makes Frodo’s mission possible to accomplish, staying by his master’s side at all times. Astin has cemented himself in The Lord of the Rings fandom, but fans would’ve liked for him to receive Oscar recognition.
Jim Carrey – Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
Jim Carrey has never been nominated for an Oscar despite turning in a commendable performance in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that garnered him a BAFTA and Golden Globe nomination. Redditor oofersIII writes that it was an “exceptional dramatic performance, but everyone just sees Carrey as funny.”
The comedian is mainly known for his physical comedy displays that made him a superstar, but he did deserve to be recognized for acting against type in a dramatic role. With his counterpart, Kate Winslet, receiving a Best Actress nomination, Carrey appeared to be a shoo-in until he was snubbed.
