Each awards season, movie lovers take a collective gasp as the nominations come in, only to release a widespread groan when the Academy inevitably excludes someone. Oscar snubs are not only frustrating; they incite outrage, memes, and interminable arguments over what “Oscar-worthy” actually is. From comedy greats overlooked for the crime of being funny to icons snubbed for roles within genres, the roster of excluded performances is extensive. Let’s delve into ten of the most surprising Oscar nomination snubs that still hurt today.
10. Jennifer Lopez
When Hustlers came out, Jennifer Lopez delivered the sort of fireworks, dimensional performance that generally promises a least a nod. Critics swooned, audiences applauded, and J.Lo herself believed she’d finally see her Oscar moment. Instead? Squet. Her lack of mention on the nominee list was one of the decade’s most-discussed snubs, and a stinging reminder of how the Academy will shortchange women in showy, genre parts.
9. Meg Ryan
Few actors defined an era like Meg Ryan did with her run of rom-com classics (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail). She was America’s sweetheart, delivering nuanced performances wrapped in charm. But the Academy never gave her a nod, not even when she ventured into heavier dramas like When a Man Loves a Woman. It’s a glaring omission that also highlights how little respect romantic comedies get in Oscar land.
8. Idris Elba
Idris Elba became a nightmare warlord in Beasts of No Nation, earning recognition from the Golden Globes to the SAG Awards. An Oscar nomination was inevitable, until it wasn’t. Fans blame the Academy’s reticence towards streaming movies at the time, but they know Elba’s snub had nothing to do with talent and everything to do with old bias.
7. John Goodman
For years, John Goodman has been the behind-the-scenes ace of just about every movie he appears in, whether those are the Coen Brothers’ masterpieces (Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski) or action pics like 10 Cloverfield Lane. Still, with all his reliability and versatility, the Academy has never given him a nod. If Oscars were awarded for dependability, Goodman’s shelf would be stocked by now.
6. Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey has made us laugh and weep, a nd wonder about reality in movies such as The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Critics loved these performances, and he even won Golden Globes for them. But Academy voters? Crickets. Carrey’s snubs are routinely used as evidence of the Academy’s refusal to reward comedy or genre-defying work.
5. Hugh Grant
From stumbling his way through Four Weddings and a Funeral to swiping scenes in Paddington 2, Hugh Grant is a master of charm-meets-substance. He’s been lavished with affection from BAFTA and Golden Globe voters, but always dodges Oscar recognition. If the Academy ever loosens up, Grant deserves a long-overdue nomination.
4. Oscar Isaac
The cruelty of the irony: a man literally named Oscar can’t get an Oscar nomination. With achingly soulful, magnetic performances in Inside Llewyn Davis, Ex Machina, and A Most Violent Year, Isaac has established himself as one of the most supremely gifted actors of his generation. And yet the Academy has turned a blind eye every time. Perhaps they simply can’t accommodate all that talent in one person.
3. Marilyn Monroe
Even though she was one of the most popular stars of all time, Marilyn Monroe never received Oscar recognition. Her work in Some Like It Hot is still one of the most iconic in comedy history, yet the Academy didn’t take a bite. It is another reminder that female and male comedic geniuses have long been belittled as “lightweight.”
2. Donald Sutherland
Donald Sutherland has spent four decades bringing unforgettable performances to film and TV, from MASH to Ordinary People to The Hunger Games. He’s won Golden Globes and BAFTAs, and even an honorary Oscar, but never an actual nomination. For an actor of his skill level, it’s one of the Academy’s greatest mysteries.
1. Martin Sheen
Near the top of the list: Martin Sheen. His unforgettable performance in Apocalypse Now is iconic, but the Academy never rewarded it, or any of his other remarkable work in movies such as Badlands and Wall Street. Even on television, his legendary role in The West Wing earned him just a single Emmy. Sheen is evidence that even a career-best genius can go unrewarded when Oscar voters get it wrong.
Snubs like these say a lot about the Academy’s blind spots, its bias against comedy, genre, and even streaming films, plus a history of favoring “prestige” over popularity. But to movie fans, these actors don’t need a gold statue to validate their legacy. Their performances live rent-free in our heads, and that’s better than any award.