10 Critically Acclaimed Movies That Won All The Awards & 10 That Got Seriously Snubbed
10 Critically Acclaimed Movies That Won All The Awards & 10 That Got Seriously Snubbed
Which Cinematic Treasures Actually Got The Recognition They Deserved?
What determines the films that will become awards sweeps versus those that will miss out on all the major ceremonies is a mysterious puzzle. Like a rigged game, arbitrary rules that change over time seem to creep into the collective consciousness of the Academy and affect their choices. Some of the greatest films ever made didn't win any Academy Awards while some of them got 11 in one year. Meanwhile, the ones that won out over some of the most classic films have faded into oblivion. Let's give those timeless losers some recognition and praise the ones that are rightfully swimming in accolades while we're at it. Here are 10 critically acclaimed movies that won all the awards and 10 that got seriously snubbed.
1. Ben-Hur
1959's Ben-Hur is among the movies that won the most Oscars with 11 wins. Even though it looks dated by today's standards, it's a film of epic proportions with top-notch acting and a strong script, making it easy to see why it was so successful.
2. Titanic
Tying with Ben-Hur for 11 Oscars is James Cameron's 1997 masterpiece Titanic. It pairs an epic love story based on a real event with the acting prowess of Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet. Oh and don't forget that dramatic score, featuring Celine Dion.
3. The English Patient
The English Patient based on the Booker Prize-winning book by Canadian author Michael Ondaatje won an impressive nine Oscars at the 1997 Academy Awards. It's a subtle, multi-faceted, and poetic story told through stunning cinematography and incredible performances.
4. West Side Story
The 1961 classic West Side Story brought home an incredible 10 Oscars, placing it just behind Titanic for the most wins. The film brought the groundbreaking Broadway play to the screen for the first time and it was instantly successful with critics and audiences alike.
5. Slumdog Millionaire
Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire was a tale of resilience, hope, and love in the face of chaos and hardship that resonated with audiences and critics all over the world. The film's vivid cinematography, energetic soundtrack, and gripping story earned it eight Academy Awards.
Greg in Hollywood on Wikimedia
6. Amadeus
The critically acclaimed film about the life of one of the world's most celebrated composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart earned eight Oscars in 1985. It's a perfect blend of history, music, and drama, and its incredible cinematography, performances, costume, and set design give the film a timeless element.
7. The Departed
The only film Martin Scorsese has won a Best Director Oscar for, The Departed is widely considered his ultimate masterpiece. The glorious cast which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson among other legends delivered powerhouse performances while the storyline and script were impeccably crafted.
8. Gone With the Wind
1939's Gone With the Wind may be old, but it's a timeless classic still enjoyed today thanks to its amazing performances by Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, lavish set design, and groundbreaking cinematography. It dazzled audiences when it came out in 1939 and won 10 Academy Awards.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on Wikimedia
9. Parasite
2019's Parasite was the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars, proving that non-Hollywood films can compete at the highest level, and win. It was celebrated for its sharp commentary, masterful acting, and stunning cinematography.
Logotipo de la película Parasite on Wikimedia
10. Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan's powerful and thought-provoking film about the man who created the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer, was the movie of 2023. It predictably and understandably swept up seven Oscars for its exceptional acting, score, cinematography, and directing.
Now that we've talked about some of the critically-acclaimed films that secured the most awards, let's talk about the ones that didn't get enough.
1. Do The Right Thing
Someone in the Academy seems to have a bone to pick with Spike Lee, and it all started with Do The Right Thing. The 1989 film bravely confronts race and police brutality with energy and flair. It's easily one of the most influential films in American cinema and it should've been an Oscar sweep.
2. Psycho
Surprisingly, Alfred Hitchcock never won any Oscars despite being one of the most renowned filmmakers of his day. Psycho is easily his most famous and influential film, acting as a landmark in the horror genre. It dealt with themes of mental illness at a time when such a subject was taboo.
Designed by Macario Gómez Quibus.
3. Seven Samurai
The 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai is often considered one of the best films ever made. It chronicles the story of a small village that hires seven ronin to protect them from bandits and it's celebrated for its universal themes, deeply layered characters, and groundbreaking camera techniques. Despite its impact, it was completely overlooked by the Academy Awards.
4. It's A Wonderful Life
1946's It's A Wonderful Life is still widely enjoyed today as one of the most heartwarming films ever made. Its deeply human story and relatable characters played by fantastic actors give it a lasting impact, but despite being nominated for several Oscars, it didn't win any and it was surprisingly a bit of a flop at the box office when it came out.
5. 12 Angry Men
1957's 12 Angry Men is still widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. It's a tense and gripping ensemble cast drama that explores themes that continue to resonate today like class struggle, integrity, and prejudice. It was nominated for three Academy Awards but didn't win any.
6. A Clockwork Orange
Arguably Stanley Kubricks most polarizing and provocative film, 1971's A Clockwork Orange didn't get the same praise as some of his other achievements like 2001: A Space Odyssey despite being perhaps more accessible and relatable to modern audiences. The film explores themes of free will and morality with Kubrick's trademark precision. It was nominated for five Oscars but won none.
Bill Gold, Stanley Kubrick. on Wikimedia
7. The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight redefined superhero films. He brought realism, depth, and complexity to the otherwise cheesy and over-the-top world of comic book movies. The Dark Knight is widely considered one of the greatest films of the 21st century, but it was only awarded one Oscar posthumously for Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker.
8. Saving Private Ryan
Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan has been called the greatest war film ever made, full of legendary scenes, and raw, emotional depictions of battle. It humanizes the soldier in ways never done before, completely changing the genre. Although it won five Academy Awards, the fact that it lost Best Picture to a much less memorable film is still seen as one of the largest Oscar snubs in history.
Helene C. Stikkel on Wikimedia
9. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Céline Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire is easily one of the most visually striking films we have ever seen, full of painterly compositions and breathtaking cinematography. It's a slow-burning, deeply emotional tale of forbidden love, full of masterfully acted, subtle tenderness and desire. It won Best Film and Best Director at the European Film Awards and was nominated for two Oscars but won none.
10. The Shawshank Redemption
Everyone knows The Shawshank Redemption as being one of the greatest films ever made, but it wasn't initially recognized as such. It was somewhat of a disappointment at the box office and didn't win any Oscars, but its timeless message of hope and redemption, unforgettable performances, and emotional narrative have made it a classic.
