March 9, 2026, 7:15 p.m. ET
All this time later, it still hurts.
The list of snubbed A-list actors, directors and hallmark movies is long when it comes to the Oscars. Legends such as Judy Garland (a two-time nominee), Marilyn Monroe (zero nominations) and Richard Burton (a whopping seven nods!) often go their whole lives without taking a gold statue home. And puzzling films can triumph in the best picture race over others that have remained culturally relevant for more than half a century. We’re looking at you, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which lost in 1947 to “The Best Years of Our Lives.” (Which film do you remember?)
In honor of the deserving talent suffering from Oscar’s cold shoulder, here are the 10 biggest snubs of all time when it comes to the Academy Awards (airing Sunday, March 15, 7 p.m. ET/4 PT on ABC and Hulu).
10. ‘Brokeback Mountain’ lost to … ‘Crash’
Jack Nicholson couldn’t contain his surprise at the 2006 Academy Awards as he announced that “Crash” had bested “Brokeback Mountain” for best picture (even mouthing “Whoa!” at the podium). “Brokeback,” a gay love story between two cowboys (Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger), had been the favorite to win, but “Crash,” a drama centered around racial tensions in LA, ultimately took best picture. It’s gone down as one of the biggest head-scratchers in Oscars history – with even “Crash” writer/director Paul Haggis questioning his win. “Was it the best film of the year? I don’t think so,” Haggis said in a 2015 interview with HitFix.
9. Cicely Tyson deserved gold for years
The late Tyson was nominated once in 1973 for her Depression-era drama “Sounder,” but lost to Liza Minnelli for “Cabaret.” Though she earned love later in life playing Viola Davis’ mother in TV’s “How to Get Away With Murder,” her contribution in film remains indelible, with films spanning “The River Niger,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter,” “Diary of A Mad Black Woman,” “The Help” and “Last Flag Flying.” Tyson became the first woman of color to win an honorary Academy Award in 2018. Accepting the accolade at the Governors Awards, Tyson called it “the culmination of all those years of have and have-not.” The beloved actress died in 2021 at 96.
8. Peter O’Toole couldn’t nab a win
He was nominated eight times – including for 1962’s “Lawrence of Arabia” – but never won. Ultimately, O’Toole received an honorary Oscar in 2003, and was in attendance at the Academy Awards to accept it. “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, my foot,” he said on stage. O’Toole racked up his final acting nomination in 2007 for “Venus.” He died in 2013 at age 81.
7. Pam Grier and ‘Jackie Brown’ were robbed
Fans are still smarting over Grier’s snub for 1997’s “Jackie Brown.” Quentin Tarantino wrote the role of a flight attendant and part-time smuggler for Grier, and though she gave a landmark performance, Grier didn’t even score a nomination (but co-star Robert Forster did). Helen Hunt won that year for “As Good As It Gets,” besting nominees Kate Winslet (“Titanic”), Julie Christie (“Afterglow”), Judi Dench (“Mrs. Brown”) and Helena Bonham Carter (“The Wings of the Dove”).
6. Stanley Kubrick was shut out
Kubrick’s movies have left an indelible mark on our culture, from “Spartacus” and “A Clockwork Orange” to “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Dr. Strangelove.” But despite four best director nominations, he never won. The director, who died in 1999, did take home one Oscar – for visual effects for “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
5. Spike Lee has never won best director
Despite a career that brought us films like “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcom X” and “Inside Man,” Lee has only ever been nominated once for best director, for “BlacKkKlansman.” And people are still furious that the seminal “Do the Right Thing” wasn’t even nominated for best picture in 1990 – the same year “Driving Miss Daisy” won. But there is gold in his house: Lee took home best adapted screenplay in 2019 and won an honorary Oscar for career achievement in 2015.
4. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ losing to ‘Shakespeare in Love’
“Shakespeare” toppling Steven Spielberg’s heavy-hitting World War II film shocked Hollywood in 1999, and marked a new era of ruthless behind-the-scenes campaigning spearheaded by now-disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. We also now know that Paltrow, who won best actress for “Shakespeare,” has said she was once targeted by Weinstein. It makes the best picture win – and the film, frankly – all the harder to celebrate today.
3. Glenn Close is still a bridesmaid
Close holds the record for the actress with the most Oscar nominations (eight) who’s never won. After Close lost out for films like “Fatal Attraction,” “Dangerous Liaisons” and “Albert Nobbs,” prognosticators thought for sure it would happen in 2019, thanks to her deft work in “The Wife.” But Olivia Colman took the trophy instead for playing Queen Anne in “The Favourite.”
2. Alfred Hitchcock never won best director
Creating a cinematic style in films like “Vertigo,” “Psycho” and “The Birds” that’s so famous it’s now an adjective, the Master of Suspense was nominated five times and never won. The Academy moved to rectify that by honoring Hitchcock, who died in 1980 at age 80, with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1968.
1. ‘Citizen Kane’ losing best picture
In 1942, one of the greatest upsets in film history took place at the 14th Academy Awards: “How Green Was My Valley” won instead of “Citizen Kane.” Never heard of it? Not surprised. Meanwhile, the Orson Welles-directed film continues to top critics’ lists, including the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.