It’s understandable, occasionally, that a great film might not win a Best Picture Oscar. Sometimes, there is something else that year that just outshines it. For example, Star Wars lost to Annie Hall. Fargo lost to The English Patient. And, Philadelphia lost to Schindler’s List. In a year like that, everyone can go home with their head held high.
But, what about awesome films that were never nominated? For anything?
For example, The Big Lebowski. Never nominated. Not for Best Picture. Not for Best Supporting. Nothing, period. Despite being a Coen Brothers film (the Coens have been nominated for 7 of their films), Lebowski took home nihil.
Here are some other movies that are commonly considered great, but that were never nominated for any Academy Award in any category. Read ’em and weep:
J. Edgar (2011)
The Others (2001)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
The Shining (1980)
Rio Bravo (1959)