Every year when the Academy Awards roll around, film enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of which movie will take home the prestigious Best Picture trophy. However, the Academy's choices have often sparked debate and controversy among critics and moviegoers alike.
Many argue that over the years, some of the most groundbreaking and influential films in cinema history have been overlooked for the top prize. This phenomenon has created an interesting category of exceptional movies that, despite their artistic merit and lasting legacy, failed to secure the coveted Best Picture award. These overlooked gems span various genres—from intense dramas and classic love stories to suspenseful thrillers and touching coming-of-age tales.
Related: 10 Oscar-Winning Foreign Movies You Can’t Afford to Miss!
Frank Capra’s lighthearted romantic comedy You Can’t Take It With You was a charming and well-crafted adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, but Grand Illusion was in a league of its own. Jean Renoir’s powerful antiwar film, released as conflict loomed over Europe, told the gripping story of French soldiers plotting their escape from a German prison camp. Its deeply human approach to war and class divisions earned widespread acclaim, and many critics today still regard it as one of the greatest films ever made. Had it won, it would have been the first non-English language movie to take home Best Picture—an honor that wouldn’t come until Parasite won more than 80 years later.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe The Wizard of Oz lost out to Gone with the Wind. While the latter remains a monumental Hollywood epic, The Wizard of Oz changed the course of cinema. It wasn’t the first Technicolor film, but its vibrant visuals introduced audiences to a new world of filmmaking. Decades later, its songs, characters, and imagery are still deeply embedded in pop culture. Though it didn’t take home the Oscar, it remains one of the most universally recognized and beloved films ever made.
Few Oscar decisions have aged as poorly as the Academy’s choice to award Best Picture to How Green Was My Valley over Citizen Kane. While John Ford’s Welsh family drama is a well-crafted and moving film in its own right, it simply couldn’t match the impact of Orson Welles’ groundbreaking masterpiece.
Citizen Kane redefined the possibilities of cinema, with its innovative storytelling, striking cinematography, and layered performances. Even today, it regularly appears at the top of “greatest films of all time” lists, making its loss one of the most infamous in Oscar history.
Billy Wilder’s noir thriller Double Indemnity set the standard for the genre with its sharp dialogue, morally complex characters, and gripping suspense. Fred MacMurray’s insurance salesman and Barbara Stanwyck’s manipulative femme fatale created an unforgettable duo, while Wilder’s direction and Raymond Chandler’s screenplay crafted a film that remains a cornerstone of classic cinema. Instead, the Academy chose the uplifting musical drama Going My Way. Though pleasant and charming, it lacks the lasting cultural and cinematic influence of Double Indemnity.
Around the World in 80 Days was a star-studded spectacle, but it pales in comparison to the depth and intensity of Giant. Featuring powerhouse performances from Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean, this sweeping Texas-set drama explored themes of ambition, love, and social change. It tackled issues of racism and class divides with a scope and emotional weight that have kept it relevant through the decades. While Around the World in 80 Days delivered entertainment, Giant delivered something much deeper.
It’s not often that two masterpieces go head-to-head at the Oscars, but the competition between 12 Angry Men and Bridge on the River Kwai was exactly that. The latter is a grand war epic with stunning cinematography and compelling performances, but 12 Angry Men remains a masterclass in storytelling.
A tense and thought-provoking courtroom drama set almost entirely in a single room, it examined the biases and personal struggles of a jury debating a man’s fate. Even with its stage play origins, Sidney Lumet’s direction and the gripping performances kept audiences captivated. Over time, its message about justice and prejudice has only become more relevant, making it arguably the more enduring film of the two.
The late ’60s saw Hollywood in transition, with a mix of old-school filmmaking and bold new ideas clashing on the big screen. The Best Picture nominees that year reflected this shift, with a combination of traditional dramas and musicals alongside groundbreaking films like The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde. Though In the Heat of the Night took home the top prize with its gripping mystery and examination of racial tensions, it was Bonnie and Clyde that left a lasting mark. With its blend of crime, romance, and shocking violence, the film redefined the gangster genre and set the stage for the innovative filmmaking of the ’70s. Its loss remains one of the great what-ifs of Oscars history.
There’s no denying that Rocky had the ultimate underdog story, both on and off the screen. Made on a shoestring budget, the boxing drama became a massive box-office success and took home the Best Picture trophy. But while Rocky inspired millions, Taxi Driver delivered something even more powerful: a dark, psychological dive into urban alienation.
Martin Scorsese’s film, anchored by Robert De Niro’s haunting performance as Travis Bickle, has only grown in influence over the years. It was up against tough competition, including Network, but its raw energy and unflinching storytelling made it the most daring nominee that year. If the Academy had taken a bolder step, Taxi Driver might have been the film to claim the prize.
Related: Forgotten Gems: 10 Classic Films You Missed
The Academy has always had a soft spot for emotional family dramas, so it’s no surprise that Ordinary People resonated with voters. Robert Redford’s directorial debut, a moving story about grief and strained relationships, took the top honor. However, in retrospect, Raging Bull feels like the film that should have won.
Martin Scorsese’s visually stunning and unrelenting portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta remains one of cinema’s greatest achievements. The film’s intense performances, particularly Robert De Niro’s Oscar-winning transformation, and its masterful editing make it a landmark in filmmaking. Its loss only added to Scorsese’s long wait for Oscar glory.
The Academy often rewards sweeping epics, and Kevin Costner’s Dances with Wolves had all the elements they love: a historical setting, grand cinematography, and an emotional story. But Goodfellas was something else entirely. Martin Scorsese’s crime saga redefined the gangster genre, blending fast-paced storytelling, unforgettable characters, and razor-sharp dialogue.
While Costner’s film was well-crafted, Goodfellas had a lasting impact on cinema, influencing countless filmmakers and remaining endlessly quotable. Over three decades later, it’s Goodfellas that is still dissected, imitated, and celebrated as one of the greatest films ever made.
The battle between Saving Private Ryan and Shakespeare in Love is one of the most infamous in Oscars history. The latter, a charming romantic period piece, won Best Picture in what many saw as a major upset. But looking back, Saving Private Ryan feels like the obvious choice.
Steven Spielberg’s war epic set a new standard for realism, particularly in its harrowing opening D-Day sequence. The film was a technical and emotional powerhouse, making its loss all the more surprising. While Shakespeare in Love remains a delightful film, Saving Private Ryan had an impact that few movies could match.
The 2008 Best Picture lineup was one for the ages, featuring some of the strongest films in years. No Country for Old Men ultimately took home the prize, and it’s hard to argue against the Coen brothers’ intense and haunting thriller. However, There Will Be Blood was just as deserving. Paul Thomas Anderson’s tale of greed, ambition, and obsession featured a powerhouse performance from Daniel Day-Lewis and some of the most striking cinematography of the decade. Both films were masterful in their own way, but There Will Be Blood had an operatic intensity that still lingers in the minds of movie lovers.
