Honestly, the Oscars are primarily about highlighting the “best” films of the year, but what captivates us from one ceremony to another is not only the dresses, the acceptance speeches, or the musical performances. It’s the shocking surprises that keep viewers gasping, critics bewildered, and Twitter in an instant frenzy. No matter if it is a surprise nomination that no one expected, a radical acting upset, or that one infamous blunder that, right after happening, became live TV history, the Oscars always get their energy from shock value. Moreover, these disarrays are also proof that the Academy doesn’t strictly adhere to the rules, and that is largely what makes getting awards even more fun. So here is my top 10 list of the most jaw-dropping Oscar upsets that count as these incidents which stunned Hollywood insiders, casual movie fans, and even the nominees themselves into silence.
10. Marina de Tavira Sneaks Into Supporting Actress for Roma
The season belonged to Alfonso Cuarón’s Rom; however, one could not imagine that on the following day of the announcements, Marina de Tavira would be the name to call out. Critics thought that Claire Foy (First Man) would receive the role. On the contrary, de Tavira overran all the precursor lists and made it to her first nomination completely unexpectedly. She did not get the award, but just being in the race was a victory for her.
9. Michael Shannon’s Shock Nod for Nocturnal Animals
Tom Ford’s cool thriller was the talk of the awards; however, the spotlight was still tightly focused on Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who had won a Golden Globe. The Academy, on the other hand, after all the ballots were counted, elected Michael Shannon. In fact, he was missing from virtually all other ballots. It was a surprise, but at the same time, a nice reminder that Michael Shannon is one of those performers who always captivate the audience without fail.
8. Jonah Hill Crashes the Party with The Wolf of Wall Street
Everyone thought Jonah Hill’s initial Oscar nod for Moneyball would be a one-shot deal. But in 2014, he reappeared in the Supporting Actor race for Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. He’d received not a single major precursor nomination, while Daniel Brühl (Rush) seemed the more sure thing. But Hill bullied his way into contention with a performance as outrageous as the movie itself.
7. Maggie Gyllenhaal Merges with Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart Love
Jeff Bridges was romping the Best Actor race for his performance in Crazy Heart, but his co-star Maggie Gyllenhaal was hardly even in the conversation come award time. That all ended in a flash when the Academy acknowledged her by nominating her for Supporting Actress. She’d been snubbed everywhere else, yet her understated, earthy performance found its greatest patron in AMPAS.
6. Tommy Lee Jones receives a Lead Nomination for In the Valley of Elah
By the time 2007 rolled around, Tommy Lee Jones was an Oscar veteran, but no one had him on their Best Actor lists for In the Valley of Elah. The movie itself didn’t catch much on in the season, and Jones had fallen through the cracks with all the major precursors. And yet he made the list, beating out names such as James McAvoy and Ryan Gosling. Evidence that sometimes Academy voters simply follow their instinct.
5. Laura Linney’s Sneak-Up Nod for The Savages
Philip Seymour Hoffman was the public face of The Savages’ awards campaign, but Laura Linney’s excellent performance was quietly flying under the radar. On nomination morning, however, Linney’s name was announced, leaving pundits agog in surprise since they had predicted Angelina Jolie (A Mighty Heart) would fill that spot. It was Linney’s third Oscar nod, and still one of the biggest surprises in her career.
4. Marcia Gay Harden Wins Without a Single Precursor to Pollock
This is the very definition of an Oscar shocker. Marcia Gay Harden didn’t even get a Golden Globe, SAG Award, BAFTA, or Critics’ Choice nod. And yet she not only received an Oscar nod, but she also won. Her Supporting Actress win over the likes of Kate Hudson and Judi Dench was one of the biggest shocks in Academy history. She’s still the only actor who’s ever taken home an Oscar without any significant precursor support.
3. Marisa Tomei Wins an Oscar for My Cousin Vinny and Inspires Conspiracy Theories
Comedy actors rarely get Oscars, which is why Marisa Tomei’s Supporting Actress win for My Cousin Vinny shocked the industry. She beat a lineup of seasoned dramatic performers, including Judy Davis and Vanessa Redgrave. The win was so unexpected that a wild rumor spread that the presenter, Jack Palance, had read the wrong name. It’s been debunked countless times, but the controversy only added to the shock of her victory.
2. Beatrice Straight Wins for Network with Five Minutes of Screen Time
Imagine winning an Oscar for a performance that is even shorter than most YouTube videos. Beatrice Straight was exactly that – she could only be seen for five minutes in Network, but still managed to win Best Supporting Actress. Within those few minutes, she unleashed such raw and powerful emotion that she was able to beat the big stars Jodie Foster and Piper Laurie. Till now, her win is an example of a masterclass in one quality performance instead of quantity.
1. The Moonlight/La La Land Mix-Up: The Greatest Live TV Fiasco
Unexpected outcomes have occurred before, but none that can be compared with the mishandling of the Best Picture announcement at the Oscars in 2017. First, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced that the winner was La La Land, but when the producers came on stage to say that the real winner was Moonlight, chaos ensued. It was a moment out of this world, and with no predecessor, that would immediately be recorded in the history books. It was more than just a shock; it was the greatest awards-night gaffe ever broadcast, and this is what made the Oscars different from then onwards.
The Oscar night is designed to showcase the best of Hollywood. However, the show becomes memorable due to the surprises that occur: surprises and moments that no one anticipated. It can be an unexpected acting nomination, an out-of-the-blue victory, or a unique, and maybe, the only time ever on-stage meltdown. No matter what it is, these surprises keep the Oscars alive as live television. Whether you like or dislike them, these curveballs still confirm one thing: with the Academy, always expect the unexpected.