Films often require time to truly find their audience and earn the appreciation they deserve. Certain movies that faced initial box office failures or received negative reviews from critics have since undergone significant re-evaluation, emerging as modern classics. Meanwhile, there exist intriguing cases of films that achieved both critical and commercial success, yet failed to secure the ultimate accolade in the film industry – the Academy Award for Best Picture.
It’s not uncommon for the film selected as the year’s Best Picture to be perceived as inferior to its more popular counterparts among critics and audiences. Alternatively, the winner might resonate with the cultural climate of its time but subsequently lose its luster as years pass. This observation doesn’t imply that the films that triumphed in the Best Picture category are inherently poor; rather, they may not have lived up to the expectations set by the nominees that year. Observers looking back on those choices might find themselves questioning the thought process behind those decisions.
10
The Cultural Impact of ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)
Lost to ‘Forrest Gump’
Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino, solidified his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most influential directors. This film stands as a quintessential action crime dramedy, weaving a series of interconnected narratives presented out of chronological order, drawing inspiration from classic pulp magazine stories. It primarily follows hitmen Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent Vega (John Travolta), alongside corrupt prizefighter Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), as they navigate the murky waters of their illicit lives, encountering friends, foes, and lovers along the way.
In comparison, Forrest Gump, a poignant narrative about a simple-minded man experiencing pivotal moments of the 20th century, was a more conventional choice for the Best Picture award. However, the fact that Pulp Fiction received the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival adds to its distinction. Despite its intentionally pulpy aesthetic, the film delves into profound themes surrounding humanity, especially those who exist on the fringes of society.
Pulp Fiction
- Release Date
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October 14, 1994
- Runtime
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154 minutes
9
The Enchantment of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)
Lost to ‘The Silence of the Lambs’
The first animated feature ever nominated for Best Picture, Beauty and the Beast is a Disney classic that tells the story of Belle (Paige O’Hara), the most beautiful girl in her village who feels like a misfit because of her passion for reading. When her father is captured by a monstrous Beast (Robby Benson) in a mysterious castle, Belle bravely offers to take his place. As the tale unfolds, Belle and the Beast gradually develop a profound bond, ultimately discovering love in each other.
Upon its nomination, Beauty and the Beast garnered significant attention, and its victory at the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy raised hopes for its success at the Oscars. Unfortunately, a perceived bias against animated films as mere children’s entertainment began to unfold when it lost to the gripping horror crime drama The Silence of the Lambs. While The Silence of the Lambs is undeniably a superb film and considered one of the best ever made, one can only speculate how different the landscape of film history might have been had Beauty and the Beast taken home the award instead.
8
The Timeless Magic of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Lost to ‘Gone With the Wind’
In a dreary Kansas farm, young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) dreams of escaping her mundane life. Her wish unexpectedly comes true when a tornado sweeps her and her dog into the vibrant and magical Land of Oz. Here, she seeks out the notorious Wizard (Frank Morgan) to help her return home. Along her journey, she is joined by a brainless Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), a heartless Tin Man (Jack Haley), and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), all while facing challenges from talking trees, flying monkeys, and the wicked Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton).
Contrary to popular belief, The Wizard of Oz was well-received during its release but was ultimately eclipsed by MGM’s other blockbuster of the year – Gone with the Wind, a period romance set during the Civil War. Although Gone with the Wind remains a highly respected film, its divisive political themes and diminishing resonance with contemporary audiences have prevented it from achieving the lasting legacy of The Wizard of Oz.
Lost to ‘Gandhi’
Considered one of Steven Spielberg‘s most celebrated films, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial has become a timeless classic despite its loss at the Best Picture Oscars. The story follows lonely 10-year-old Elliot Taylor (Henry Thomas), who encounters a lost alien, dubbed E.T. Together, they forge a deep friendship while Elliot and his siblings work to help E.T. contact his home planet and evade government agents intent on capturing him for experimentation.
Upon its release, E.T. became the highest-grossing film of all time, leading to widespread expectations that it would win the Best Picture award, only to lose to Gandhi, a biographical film about the famed civil rights leader. Even Gandhi‘s director, Richard Attenborough, later expressed his belief that E.T. deserved to win both the Best Picture and Best Director categories.
6
The Dark Side of Fame in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950)
Lost to ‘All About Eve’
Sunset Boulevard is a riveting film noir that explores the dark realities of Hollywood fame. It follows struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden) who ends up at the mansion of fading silent film star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). Stuck in a time capsule of her own making, Norma is desperate for a comeback and ropes Joe into her chaotic world, resulting in a tumultuous working and one-sided romantic relationship. When Joe attempts to escape her entrapment, Norma unwittingly seals her fate, ensuring her place in cinematic history.
Sunset Boulevard was groundbreaking for its time, confronting the harsh beauty standards and the inevitable decline faced by aging actors in an industry notorious for its callousness. While Gloria Swanson received an Oscar nomination for her hauntingly tragic performance, the film ultimately lost to All About Eve, a movie that ironically shares similar themes of an aging actress grappling with the consequences of her career, but presents her as the sympathetic victim of an obsessed fan.
Sunset Boulevard
- Release Date
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August 10, 1950
- Runtime
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110 Minutes
5
The Unforgettable Journey of ‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)
Lost to ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and inspired by Joseph Conrad’s seminal work Heart of Darkness, Apocalypse Now explores themes of violence, conflict, and the darkness that resides within humanity. Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) is tasked with eliminating the rogue Colonel Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has descended into madness and established a cult in the Cambodian jungle. As Willard draws closer to his target, he increasingly grapples with Kurtz’s unsettling philosophy and the emotional toll of the horrors they have both witnessed.
Despite not winning Best Picture, the tumultuous journey undertaken by Francis Ford Coppola and his crew to complete this film resulted in substantial critical acclaim, multiple awards, and the prestigious Palme d’Or, solidifying its status as a cinematic triumph. While Kramer vs. Kramer remains an exceptional film addressing the complexities of divorce, Apocalypse Now is universally regarded as the definitive film about the Vietnam War.
4
The Satirical Brilliance of ‘Dr. Strangelove’ (1964)
Lost to ‘My Fair Lady’
Directed and penned by Stanley Kubrick, Dr. Strangelove unfolds like a carefully orchestrated chain reaction. The plot is triggered when a deranged U.S. general initiates a nuclear strike against the Soviet Union, claiming they are contaminating the water supply. In response, the President (Peter Sellers) assembles his top advisors, including the eccentric ex-Nazi scientist Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers), to avert the impending disaster.
With its blend of humor and horror, Dr. Strangelove offers a chilling insight into the potential chaos that could ensue during a nuclear crisis. Given its serious themes, it’s not surprising that it lost to the lighthearted film adaptation of the beloved musical My Fair Lady, which revolves around a woman receiving elocution lessons in Edwardian London. However, Dr. Strangelove has aged remarkably well, with its themes and narrative continuing to resonate powerfully.
3
The Enduring Legacy of ‘Citizen Kane’ (1941)
Lost to How ‘Green Was My Valley’
It’s astonishing to think that what is often hailed as the greatest film of all time, Citizen Kane, did not secure the Best Picture award. The narrative chronicles the life of Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), as related by those who knew him best. Each character provides a unique perspective on Kane, portraying him as a complex figure – a generous friend, a flawed husband, and an individual eternally in search of lost meaning.
Upon its initial release, Citizen Kane garnered critical acclaim, yet its financial failure, exacerbated by William Randolph Hearst‘s efforts to suppress its marketing, likely contributed to its loss to the period drama How Green Was My Valley. Fortunately, Citizen Kane‘s legacy has endured, solidifying its place as an essential film that must be included in any list of the greatest movies ever made.
Citizen Kane
- Release Date
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April 17, 1941
- Runtime
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119 minutes
2
The Provocative Truth Behind ‘BlacKkKlansman’ (2018)
Lost to ‘Green Book’
Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) makes history as the first African American police officer hired by the Colorado Police Force. One day, while working in the records department, he embarks on an audacious mission: to infiltrate the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan and dismantle it from within. Partnering with Jewish officer Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), Stallworth poses as a white man, engaging with various Klan members, including grand wizard David Duke (Topher Grace).
Based on a remarkable true story, BlacKkKlansman is a satirical drama that tackles the serious issue of white supremacy with a critical lens, making it all the more ironic that it lost to Green Book, a film centered on a white bouncer escorting a black musician through the racially charged 1960s South. While both films address racism, BlacKkKlansman received acclaim for its deeper narrative, nuanced approach, and respectful treatment of historical realities.
1
The Iconic Mastery of ‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Lost to ‘Dances With Wolves’
Considered one of Martin Scorsese’s most iconic films, Goodfellas is a quintessential gangster movie that has left an indelible mark on cinema. Loosely based on the book Wiseguy, the story chronicles the life of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a man captivated by the allure of organized crime. The film delves into his ascent within the criminal underworld, his partnerships with infamous mobsters Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro), and his ultimate descent into a life of betrayal and secrecy.
While Goodfellas is a gritty yet stylish portrayal of the gangster lifestyle, it failed to sway the Academy voters that year, losing to Dances with Wolves. Although the latter won the award, Goodfellas has since achieved greater acclaim among audiences and critics alike, thanks to its groundbreaking cinematography, unforgettable performances, and raw, honest depiction of the inevitable consequences faced by those who live outside the law.
Goodfellas
- Release Date
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September 19, 1990
- Runtime
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145 minutes
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