The Academy Awards have a long history of snubbing films that go on to become classics. While Inception losing to The King’s Speech in 2011 remains one of the most frustrating upsets, it’s just one of many moments where the Oscars got it wrong.
1. Inception (2010) Loses to The King’s Speech
Christopher Nolan’s Inception was a cinematic game-changer, blending high-concept storytelling with groundbreaking visual effects. Despite winning four technical Oscars, it lost Best Picture to The King’s Speech, a well-crafted but conventional period drama. Over a decade later, Inception is still studied and celebrated, while The King’s Speech has largely faded from pop culture.
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Loses to Forrest Gump
Now considered one of the greatest films of all time, The Shawshank Redemption was overlooked at the Oscars, losing to Forrest Gump. While Forrest Gump was a beloved hit, Shawshank has arguably had a bigger cultural impact, consistently ranking as one of the best movies ever made.
3. Saving Private Ryan (1998) Loses to Shakespeare in Love
Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan redefined the war genre with its brutal realism, particularly in its unforgettable D-Day sequence. However, it lost to Shakespeare in Love, a romantic comedy that benefited from an aggressive Oscar campaign by producer Harvey Weinstein.
4. Goodfellas (1990) Loses to Dances with Wolves
Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas is considered one of the greatest gangster films ever, influencing an entire generation of filmmakers. However, the Academy favored Kevin Costner’s Dances with Wolves, a more traditional Hollywood epic.
5. Brokeback Mountain (2005) Loses to Crash
One of the most controversial Oscar upsets, Brokeback Mountain was a groundbreaking film with stunning performances and emotional depth. Many expected it to win Best Picture, but it shockingly lost to Crash, a film that, while well-intentioned, has since been criticized as overly simplistic in its handling of racism.
6. La La Land (2016) Loses to Moonlight
The infamous envelope mix-up made this upset unforgettable. While Moonlight was a powerful and important film, La La Land had all the hallmarks of an Oscar winner—Hollywood nostalgia, stunning visuals, and a unique musical structure. Many still debate which film truly deserved the prize.
7. Citizen Kane (1941) Loses to How Green Was My Valley
Often considered the greatest film ever made, Citizen Kane revolutionized cinematography and storytelling. Yet, it lost to How Green Was My Valley, a film that has largely faded from memory. This remains one of the Academy’s most infamous mistakes.
While the Oscars will always have surprises, some snubs are harder to justify than others. And when it comes to Inception, it’s clear that the Academy overlooked a true cinematic masterpiece.
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Source: Dan Lalonde
Photo Credit: Universal
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