Every year, the Oscars shine a spotlight on films that capture the imagination of critics, audiences, and industry insiders. For all the glitz and celebration, there is a bittersweet club of movies that rack up a sky-high number of nominations, sometimes in nearly every major category, only to leave the ceremony empty-handed. These are the films that had all the momentum; they were talked up in every magazine and on every red carpet, yet somehow walked away without a single golden statuette. Whether it is a beloved prison drama like The Shawshank Redemption or an epic period piece with a star-studded cast, these contenders prove that even the best are not always enough to sway Oscar voters.
If you are in the mood to see what all the fuss was about or want to judge for yourself if these movies really deserved a win, you are in luck. Our “Where to Watch” buttons make it easy to find each film on your favorite streaming platform: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Paramount+, and more. Settle in, grab some popcorn, and get ready to experience some of Hollywood’s most celebrated near-misses from the comfort of your own couch.
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- Columbia Pictures
- Best Picture
- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Morgan Freeman)
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Film Editing
- Best Sound Mixing
- Best Original Score
About the Movie:
The Shawshank Redemption, a captivating drama directed by Frank Darabont, hinges on the resilience of the human spirit. The narrative unfolds in the grim confines of Shawshank State Penitentiary, where banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) lands after being wrongfully convicted for murder. Alongside Ellis 'Red' Redding (Morgan Freeman), a long-term inmate, Andy battles despair and corruption. In this struggle, they form an unshakeable bond that transcends the prison walls. A seven-time Oscar nominee, 'The Shawshank Redemption' is a testament to friendship's power and hope's endurance amid adversity.- Actors: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown
- Released: 1994
- Directed by: Frank Darabont
Shoulda won something?- 1Morgan Freeman199 Votes
- 2Tim Robbins178 Votes
- 3James Whitmore108 Votes
- 4Clancy Brown83 Votes
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- Metaweb (FB)
- Public domain
- Best Picture
- Best Actress (Whoopi Goldberg)
- Best Supporting Actress (Margaret Avery)
- Best Supporting Actress (Oprah Winfrey)
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Art Direction
- Best Costume Design
- Best Makeup
- Best Original Score
- Best Original Song (“Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)”)
About the Movie:
The Color Purple is a period drama, steeped in the southern atmosphere of rural Georgia. It follows the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), a young African-American woman, from her childhood to adulthood. Born into poverty and subjected to severe abuse, Celie's journey is one of resilience and survival. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg and features an exceptional cast including Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey. This poignant narrative swept the 1986 Academy Awards with eleven nominations, testifying to its cinematic brilliance. Its vivid portrayal of racial and gender issues remains relevant even today.- Actors: Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery, Oprah Winfrey, Willard E. Pugh
- Released: 1985
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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- The Little Foxes
- Best Picture
- Best Director (William Wyler)
- Best Actress in a Leading Role (Bette Davis)
- Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Collinge)
- Best Supporting Actress (Teresa Wright)
- Best Cinematography, Black-and-white
- Best Art Direction, Black-and-white
- Best Film Editing
- Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture
About the Movie:
Regina Hubbard Giddens (Bette Davis) and her scheming brothers, Oscar (Carl Benton Reid) and Ben (Charles Dingle), plan to get rich from a cotton mill, but first they must tap into the wealth of Regina's sickly husband, Horace Giddens (Herbert Marshall). The trio attempts to marry Regina's daughter Alexandra (Teresa Wright) to Oscar's son Leo (Dan Duryea). When that plan fails, their schemes devolve into theft and blackmail, driving an irreparable wedge between family members.- Actors: Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Dan Duryea, Teresa Wright, Richard Carlson
- Released: 1941
- Directed by: William Wyler
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- Peyton Place
- Best Picture
- Best Director (Mark Robson)
- Best Actress (Lana Turner)
- Best Supporting Actor (Arthur Kennedy)
- Best Supporting Actress (Hope Lange)
- Best Supporting Actress (Diane Varsi)
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Film Editing
About the Movie:
In this adaptation of Grace Metalious' popular novel, steamy goings-on abound in the small, prim New England community of Peyton Place. Newcomer Michael Rossi (Lee Philips) arrives in town on the eve of World War II and is soon involved with gorgeous but prudish shop owner Constance MacKenzie (Lana Turner), who keeps some secrets from her daughter, Allison. Amidst engagements and school graduations, Michael discovers seething, dark undercurrents that include rape, suicide -- and murder.- Actors: Lana Turner, Hope Lange, Arthur Kennedy, Lloyd Nolan, Lee Philips
- Released: 1957
- Directed by: Mark Robson
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- Best Picture
- Best Director (Joel and Ethan Coen)
- Best Actor (Jeff Bridges)
- Best Supporting Actress (Hailee Steinfeld)
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Art Direction
- Best Costume Design
- Best Sound Mixing
- Best Sound Editing
About the Movie:
After an outlaw named Tom Chaney murders her father, feisty 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross hires Rooster Cogburn, a boozy, trigger-happy lawman, to help her find Chaney and avenge her father. The bickering duo are not alone in their quest, for a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf is also tracking Chaney for reasons of his own. Together the unlikely trio ventures into hostile territory to dispense some Old West justice.- Actors: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Hailee Steinfeld
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
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- Best Picture
- Best Director (David O. Russell)
- Best Actor (Christian Bale)
- Best Actress (Amy Adams)
- Best Supporting Actor (Bradley Cooper)
- Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence)
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Film Editing
- Best Production Design
- Best Costume Design
About the Movie:
Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) dabbles in forgery and loan-sharking, but when he falls for fellow grifter Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), things change in a big way. Caught red-handed by FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), Irv and Sydney are forced to work under cover as part of DiMaso's sting operation to nail a New Jersey mayor (Jeremy Renner). Meanwhile, Irv's jealous wife (Jennifer Lawrence) may be the one to bring everyone's world crashing down. Based on the 1970s Abscam case.- Actors: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence
- Released: 2013
- Directed by: David O. Russell
Shoulda won something?
