12 Of The Most Unbelievable Snubs At The Oscars Since 2010

The Academy Awards are always divisive, especially when it comes to snubs. The 2024 Oscars were especially raucous, as the internet created a storm when big names like Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig weren’t nominated in major categories.

While those names deserve to be on this list (and they are), they’re far from the only ones who haven’t received the recognition they deserved at the Oscars.

There have been snubs for literally decades. So this listicle will focus on the last 14 years. Here are 12 of my picks for the worst Oscars snubs since 2010.

Note: When I say “snub,” I mean candidates who weren’t nominated AND ones who were but didn’t win the award.

1. “Your Name” for Best Animated Feature

This is by far the biggest crime on this list. The Academy loves to reward Studio Ghibli for its animated movies but overlooks so many other anime. “Your Name” is a masterpiece. It should have won major awards in every category—not just the animated one.

This movie has everything you want in an animated feature: gorgeous visuals, relatable characters, and a compelling story with insane twists and turns. The fact that this couldn’t even get nominated in the same year that “Zootopia” won is truly unforgivable. Please do yourself a favor and watch this movie if you haven’t already.

2. “Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo for Best Original Song

In general, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” had a ton of incredible performances that deserved award nominations. Unfortunately, the Academy doesn’t like to recognize movies aimed at teens. But I really thought this song would make the cut, so it was shocking when it didn’t.

Everything about this song, from the lyrics to the Appalachian music-inspired bridge, shows a deep understanding of the film and its themes. This is one of Olivia Rodrigo’s best songwriting achievements PERIOD, and it deserved a nomination.

3. Margot Robbie for Best Actress in “Barbie”

This one’s a given. The fact that “Barbie” was one of the year’s biggest movies, yet Barbie herself didn’t get a nomination, but Ken did, is wild. You really can’t make this kind of irony up.

4. “How to Train Your Dragon” for Best Original Score

The score for “How to Train Your Dragon” goes SO HARD. Why does a kid’s movie about dragons have one of the best scores of the past few decades? I went to see this movie in theaters a few weeks ago, and the “first flight” scene brought tears to my eyes. 

This score evokes so much wonder, fear, and joy in all the right places. I’m happy it was at least nominated, but it should have won.

5. Greta Gerwig for Best Director

Obviously, Greta Gerwig should have been nominated for “Barbie.” But I’m also shocked that she wasn’t nominated for “Little Women.” Each shot in that film was a work of art, and she should have been recognized for it.

6. Michael B. Jordan for Best Supporting Actor in “Black Panther”

The Academy surprised audiences when they nominated “Black Panther” for Best Picture. Superhero movies usually don’t receive recognition as “serious films.” But I think they should have gone further by nominating Michael B. Jordan for his role as Killmonger.

Michael B. Jordan did what no other Marvel villain has done as successfully—he made the audience side with him. Yes, a lot of that can be chalked up to good writing, but Jordan’s acting made us feel every bit of pain and resentment Killmonger felt. The fact that he’s never been nominated for an Oscar is just cruel.

7. “A Quiet Place” for Best Picture

This falls into the Academy’s running theme of not nominating genre films. But “A Quiet Place” transcends the horror genre’s stereotypes. It was heartfelt and thought-provoking while being terrifying. The movie got a nod for its sound design but deserved more.

8. Amy Adams for Best Actress in “Arrival”

While Amy Adams has been nominated for several Oscars, she was snubbed for what many people call her best performance. Many were shocked when she didn’t receive a nomination for “Arrival,” and for good reason. She gave that role her all, and it showed.

9. “Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse” for Best Original Score

While this movie rightfully won the Best Animated Feature award at the Oscars, the Academy overlooked its incredible score. The score’s blend of rap and hip-hop with more traditional orchestral superhero music made it one-of-a-kind.

Each orchestral motif blends seamlessly into the rap music. The “leap of faith” scene alone deserves every possible award.

10. Florence Pugh for Best Supporting Actress in “Little Women”

Florence Pugh was nominated in this category, but she should have won. In all other iterations of “Little Women,” Amy is the least likable character. Pugh’s version made her pragmatic and sympathetic rather than whiny and opportunistic.

Of course, good writing was a key element, but Pugh’s performance made the character what she was, so she deserved more recognition for it.

11. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” for Best Animated Feature

No one expected a “Shrek” spinoff sequel to be one of the most ground-breaking animated movies in years, but here we are. Not only does “Puss in Boots” utilize Spiderverse-esque animation techniques successfully, but its story is masterful.

In the age of Disney twist-villain or no-villain stories, this movie said, “Let’s give our movie three villains.” And it works beautifully! Jack Horner is the traditional pure evil villain, Goldilocks is the more humanized “not a real villain” villain, and Death is the downright terrifying “force of nature” villain. The way these villains’ stories with Puss blend together is so thematically resonant and nothing less than a stroke of genius.

I’m glad this movie was nominated, but I’ll never be okay with the fact that a “Pinocchio” retelling won over this.

12. “Nobody Like U” by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS for Best Original Song

Considering how much of an Oscar darling Billie Eilish and FINNEAS are, I’m surprised this song from “Turning Red” didn’t even receive a nomination. This sibling duo, usually known for their more mellow singer-songwriter music, perfectly captured the spirit of an early-2000s boy band.

The tune is simple and catchy while also having a lot of drama in its production and harmonies. And Jordan Fisher’s smooth lead vocals are the icing on the cake.

Which snub at the Oscars are you most passionate about? Which movies do you think deserve more love? Let us know in the comments!

Featured image via Walt Disney Television on Flickr