The 2024 Oscar Nominations are out, highlighting films that garnered praise in 2023. Yet, some remarkable works, despite their excellence, didn't make the Academy's cut. Dive into our list of 25 outstanding movies that, to everyone's surprise, were snubbed by the Oscars. Uncover the exceptional stories that didn't receive the recognition they deserve! 👇
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor's exceptional lead performance in 'Origin' deserved an Oscar nod, yet the Academy unfortunately overlooked this significant production. The film focuses on a group of people creating an inhumane system to dominate others, drawing parallels to dynamics found by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson in Nazi Germany and the Indian caste system. Director DuVernay personalizes Wilkerson's research, dramatizing how a woman copes with national tragedies and personal challenges, such as the Trayvon Martin case, everyday racism, and loss.
A.V. Rockwell's debut feature, 'A Thousand and One', explores a young mother's efforts to reconnect with her son. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Inez, released in 1994, kidnaps her son Terry and heads to Harlem. Despite Terry being a successful student, he grapples with difficulties and family issues. The film unveils the struggles and creative resilience in a small tragic story. Teyana Taylor's impressive performance captivates, transforming the film into a poignant portrait of survival, determination, and creativity. Although it gained attention at Sundance, the lack of an Oscar nomination this year isn't entirely surprising.
John Carney, the director of 'Once' and 'Sing Street,' made a significant impact with 'Flora and Son' at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Starring Eve Hewson, the film tells the story of a determined single mother who starts playing the guitar to connect with her troubled teenage son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays a fallen musician in Los Angeles who teaches Hewson's character the power of music. The unusual story explores the strength of bonding through music and hope.
Australian writer-director Goran Stolevski crafts a romantic drama in 'Of an Age,' where a young man develops an intimate relationship with his dance partner's brother in a 24-hour heartwarming adventure. Shot with a handheld camera, the film focuses on the dazzling and enchanting initiation of first love. The script combines the kindness of finding someone special during the process of accepting one's sexuality with the pain of not having enough time to sustain it. The main character learns to embrace his sexuality, and Stolevski avoids turning the romantic drama into a clichéd queer acceptance, making the film refreshingly unique.
Jamie Foxx shines in Maggie Betts' 'The Burial,' playing a smooth-talking lawyer hired by a funeral home owner (Tommy Lee Jones) to save the family business. The film received acclaim at the Toronto Film Festival. Jeremiah O'Keefe, running a funeral home, hires successful lawyer Willie Gary, believing he's been swindled by a big corporation. The movie delves into the legal battle to save the O'Keefe family business and highlights the challenges and relationships that emerge during this fight, offering audiences an emotional story.
Despite being one of the most loved or hated productions of the year, 'Saltburn,' belonging to Oscar-winning director Emerald Fennell, didn't have a guaranteed chance among Oscar voters. The film gained attention throughout the season with Barry Keoghan and Rosamund Pike receiving Golden Globe nominations and making the long lists at the BAFTA Film Awards. However, Jacob Elordi's bathtub scene might have deviated from the Academy's expectations. Following the story of Oliver Quick, a student navigating Oxford University, the film explores the tension that builds as he gets drawn into the world of Felix Catton, an attractive and aristocratic figure, during an unforgettable summer at Saltburn.
Directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery, 'Air' depicts the historic partnership between Nike's basketball division and NBA rookie player Michael Jordan. This deal marks a revolutionary period in advertising, with the creation of the Air Jordan brand. While 'Air' earned worldwide box office success and some Golden Globe nominations in comedy or musical categories, it couldn't assert itself as a strong Oscar contender this awards season. The film narrates the true story of the groundbreaking collaboration between a rookie Michael Jordan and Nike's basketball division, shaping the career of a globally renowned basketball star and exploring the impact of a historic agreement.
Glenn Howerton earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards for his performance in 'BlackBerry.' Directed by Matt Johnson, this dark comedy-drama delves into the rise and fall of a smartphone company. Howerton's portrayal deserved more serious Oscar consideration. 'BlackBerry' focuses on the creation and downfall of the world's first smartphone, exploring the witty journey of inventors Mike Lazaridis and ruthless businessman Jim Balsillie. Initially launched for business and entertainment, BlackBerry rapidly gained global popularity but struggled to cope with the rise of smartphones, eventually declining. The film transforms this intriguing tech journey into a witty corporate comedy-drama.
Andrew Haigh's film 'All of Us Strangers' received widespread acclaim, making it onto many top 10 lists and earning six BAFTA nominations. Despite a robust campaign for Andrew Scott in the Best Actor category, the film's quiet box office performance likely didn't assist its chances at the Oscars. The movie unfolds in a nearly empty apartment in contemporary London over one night, where Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with his mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal). As their relationship develops, Adam becomes preoccupied with memories of the past, leading him back to his childhood home and the house where his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) lived. The house appears just as it did on the day his parents died 30 years ago.
Zac Efron's dramatic performance in Sean Durkin's family wrestling drama 'The Iron Claw' redefined his career, making it a strong contender for this year's Oscar nomination. However, Efron fell short of an Academy Award for this exceptional performance. The film tells the story of the Von Erich family, Texas wrestlers struggling with personal disasters while achieving championships and significant popularity. Amidst tragedy and triumph, the family battles a metaphorical 'curse.'