Each year the Oscars celebrate outstanding achievements in film, and audiences around the world tune in to the awards ceremony to see their favorite movie stars being recognized for their work.
A lot of people enjoy guessing which films and actors will walk away with the most coveted awards, but sometimes the results don’t turn out as expected. Throughout its history, some of the most highly anticipated wins never came to be. Many favorites lose out to unexpected winners, and there is always talk about ‘Oscar snubs’ in the days that follow.
The following are the seven most famous Oscar snubs in history:
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- City Lights
In 1930, many expected Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights to win the award for Best Picture. Although now considered a classic in cinema, it didn’t receive accolades, as it lost the award to Cimarron. In addition, Chaplin lost the award for Best Director to Norman Taurog.
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- Bette Davis
Bette Davis’ role in Of Human Bondage became a favorite to win the Oscar in 1934, but it never even made the ballot! After a write-in nomination, she still failed to take away the Best Actress award, losing to Claudette Colbert.
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- Singin’ in the Rain
One of the most famous Oscar snubs involves this 1952 film starring Gene Kelly. Considered one of the most famous American classic films, the movie failed to win Best Picture.
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- Vertigo
This Hitchcock classic was poised to take the prize for Best Director, Picture, Actor, and Actress. It received none of these. Instead, it lost to the Vincente Minnelli film Gigi.
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- Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was snubbed twice by the Oscars—first in 1961 for her role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and again in 1964 for My Fair Lady. Expected to win the Best Actress award, instead she became one of the most famous Oscar snubs in History.
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- Pulp Fiction
This film by Quentin Tarantino broke new ground with its innovative storytelling and characters. It marked a return to mainstream films for John Travolta, and was expected to take away the awards for Best Actor, Actress, and Picture. Sadly, it lost out to Forrest Gump.
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- Leonardo DiCaprio
The sight of Leonardo DiCaprio declaring himself the king of the world on the Titanic has become one of the most iconic images in recent cinema. But his role in this blockbuster success failed to get him the Best Actor award. But this wasn’t the first snub for the actor. He had lost once before for his role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
Great films and performances aren’t always recognized in their time. It’s only as the years pass that they become recognized for their achievements.
Many of the greatest films and acting roles were snubbed by the Oscars. Fortunately for movie lovers, these films continue to live on.
