Biggest Oscar Snubs

Rumored to be Clint's last screen performance, the AMPAS screwed up royally by completely ignoring his humorous, old-school morality parable. One of AFI's ten best of 2008.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor (Clint Eastwood)
Best Writing, Original Screenplay
Best Music, Original Song (for "Gran Torino")

Probably the best reviewed film of 2008 (98% on Rotten Tomatoes). At least the London Critics Circle, Broadcast Critics Association, Kansas City Critics Circle and the Online Film Critics Society knew better. One of AFI's ten best of 2008.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Writing, Original Screenplay
Best Music, Original Song (for "The Wrestler")

Arguably the reason why the Academy added 5 more slots for the Best Picture award in 2009. Christopher Nolan's thrilling crime saga redefined the superhero genre and was snubbed for all major awards, as well as a couple technical nominations. The American Film Institute, the PGA, DGA and the WGA gave the film its due.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
Best Music, Original Score
Best Costume Design

"The Dark Knight" wasn't the only film that went unrecognized by the AMPAS. 2008 should have been the year the Academy opened the Best Picture slot to 10 films. This instant Pixar classic won Best Picture from several critics' circles including Boston, Central Ohio, Chicago, Los Angeles and the Online Critics Society. Another film chosen by the AFI as one of the ten best films of 2008.

Best Picture
Best Director (arguably)
Best Art Direction

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
Best Film Editing
Best Art Direction

I don't know why animated films can't receive an art direction nod from the Academy. The American Film Institute also recognized it as one of the best films of 2007.

Best Picture
Best Art Direction

How this film lost the cinematography award and didn't garner a Best Picture nomination is beyond me, and the critics circles of Austin, the Online Society, Central Ohio, London and Vancouver.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Visual Effects
Best Art Direction

One of the greatest remakes of all time, Peter Jackson's fantasy epic made many best ten lists, including Roger Ebert, the American Film Institute, and the critics from Chicago, Broadcast Film, London, San Diego and the Online Critics Society. Including a best director nomination at the Golden Globes.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actress (Naomi Watts)
Best Musical Score
Best Cinematography

This received numerous nominations for Best Picture, director, actor (for Jim Carrey), editing and other nominations from the BAFTAs, the Golden Globes, critic circles from London, the Online Society, Washington DC, Toronto, San Diego, Broadcast Association and the Directors Guild of Great Britain. Also one of AFI's ten best of 2004.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor (Jim Carrey)
Best Film Editing
Best Art Direction

Nominated for best picture by the Producers Guild of America, the Golden Globes, the Online Critics Society and one of AFI's ten best of the year.

Best Picture
Best Musical Score
Best Art Direction

One of the American Film Institute's ten best of 2004.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Writing, Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Sound

Nominated best picture at the Golden Globes, critics circles from the Broadcast Association, Chicago and Phoenix. One of AFI's top 10 of 2003.

Best Picture
Best Art Direction

Another Nolan snub. His film and directorial efforts were recognized by the Directors Guild of America, the Chlotrudis Awards, the Spirit awards, the Satellite awards, critics from Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, London, Phoenix, Southeastern, Toronto, Vancouver, the Broadcast Association, the Online Society and the Sundance Film Festival. One of AFI's top ten.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor (Guy Pearce)

Recognized by the Directors Guild of America, the BAFTAs for best film, the Golden Globes for best picture and best director. Ranked #6 on AFI's 10 Top 10 for romantic comedies.

Best Picture
Best Director

Recognized by the Directors Guild of America, the Writers Guild, the BAFTAs for best screenplay, the Golden Globes for best picture and the Grammys. Made top 10 lists of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
Best Music, Original Score

Best Picture