The 2024 Oscars nominations were announced on Tuesday, and as always, there were some snubs that surprised and disappointed fans and critics alike. Here are 10 of the biggest snubs of the night:
1. Greta Gerwig for Best Director (“Barbie”)
Gerwig is one of the most talented young directors working in Hollywood today, and her latest film, “Barbie,” was a critical and commercial success. Many people thought she was a shoo-in for a Best Director nomination, but she was surprisingly left out. Some possible reasons for her snub include the fact that “Barbie” is a live-action adaptation of a children’s toy, and the Academy has historically been reluctant to nominate such films for major awards. Additionally, the Best Director category is always very competitive, and this year was no exception.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor (“Killers of the Flower Moon”)
DiCaprio is a perennial Oscar nominee, but he was surprisingly overlooked for his performance in Martin Scorsese’s latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Some people believe that DiCaprio’s performance was overshadowed by the film’s strong supporting cast, which includes Robert Downey Jr. and Jesse Plemons. Others think that the Academy simply wasn’t impressed with the film overall.
3. Margot Robbie for Best Actress (“Barbie”)
Robbie gave a stunning performance as the iconic Barbie doll in Gerwig’s film, and many people thought she was a lock for a Best Actress nomination. However, she was surprisingly passed over in favor of actresses like Florence Pugh (“Oppenheimer”) and Olivia Colman (“Poor Things”). It’s possible that the Academy felt that Robbie’s performance was too light and comedic to be considered for a serious award.
4. Charles Melton for Best Supporting Actor (“May December”)
Melton delivered a breakout performance in Netflix’s drama “May December,” but he was completely shut out of the Oscar nominations. This is a real shame, as Melton’s performance was one of the best of the year. It’s possible that the Academy simply didn’t see “May December,” as it was released on a streaming service and didn’t have a wide theatrical release.
5. Willem Dafoe for Best Supporting Actor (“Poor Things”)
Dafoe is always a scene-stealer, and he was no exception in Yorgos Lanthimos’s bizarre and brilliant film “Poor Things.” However, he was surprisingly overlooked for a Best Supporting Actor nomination. It’s possible that the Academy felt that his performance was too over-the-top for their taste.
6. Alexander Payne for Best Director (“The Holdovers”)
Payne is a two-time Oscar nominee for Best Director (“About Schmidt” and “Sideways”), but he was snubbed for his latest film, “The Holdovers.” This is a surprise, as “The Holdovers” was a critical darling and features a great performance from Paul Giamatti. It’s possible that the Academy simply didn’t see “The Holdovers,” as it was released in a limited number of theaters.
7. “STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie” for Best Documentary
This moving documentary about Michael J. Fox’s life with Parkinson’s disease was a critical and commercial success, but it was surprisingly shut out of the Oscar nominations. This is a real shame, as “STILL” is an important and inspiring film. It’s possible that the Academy felt that there were simply too many good documentaries this year, and “STILL” got lost in the shuffle.
8. “Fallen Leaves” for Best International Feature
This Finnish film was one of the most acclaimed films of the year, but it was surprisingly overlooked for a Best International Feature nomination. This is a shame, as “Fallen Leaves” is a beautiful and moving film. It’s possible that the Academy simply didn’t see “Fallen Leaves,” as it was released in a limited number of countries.
9. America Ferrera for Best Supporting Actress (“Barbie”)
Ferrera delivers a hilarious and touching performance as Barbie’s best friend in Gerwig’s film, and many people thought she was a shoo-in for a Best Supporting Actress nomination. However, she was surprisingly passed over in favor of actresses like Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) and Dakota Fanning (“American Crime Story: Impeachment”). It’s possible that the Academy felt that Ferrera’s performance was overshadowed by the bigger names in the cast, or that they simply didn’t think it was Oscar-worthy.
10. “The Color Purple” for Best Picture
Steven Spielberg’s long-awaited remake of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was one of the most anticipated films of the year. However, it only received one nomination, for Best Supporting Actress (Danielle Brooks). This is a surprise, as “The Color Purple” is a powerful and important film. It’s possible that the Academy felt that the film was too similar to the original 1985 adaptation, or that it simply didn’t resonate with them.
These are just a few of the biggest snubs at the 2024 Oscars. The Academy’s decisions are always controversial, and there is no doubt that some deserving artists were overlooked this year. However, it’s important to remember that the Oscars are just one way to celebrate the best in film. There are many other great films that were released in 2023, and it’s up to each individual to decide which ones they think are the best.
In addition to the snubs listed above, there were a number of other surprises at the 2024 Oscar nominations. For example, some people were surprised that the Academy nominated so many non-English language films, including “Anatomy of a Fall” (German), “Past Lives” (Korean), and “The Zone of Interest” (Polish). This is a positive sign, as it shows that the Academy is becoming more open to films from around the world.
Another surprise was the number of nominations for the film “Killers of the Flower Moon.” While the film was critically acclaimed, it was not considered to be a major Oscar contender. However, it received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. This suggests that the Academy was very impressed with the film.
Overall, the 2024 Oscar nominations were a mixed bag. There were some snubs that disappointed fans and critics, but there were also some surprises that were cause for celebration. It will be interesting to see who wins the awards on Oscar night.