37 Outstanding Films Snubbed by the 2025 Oscars: 'Furiosa,' 'Challengers,' and More Miss Out on Noms

2025’s Oscar nominations were particularly significant for films like “Emilia Pérez” (leading with 13 nominations, a record for a non-English language film), “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” (each receiving 10 nominations), as well as “A Complete Unknown” (with 8 nominations). Many other titles were also recognized. However, as is often the case, several critically-acclaimed films failed to secure a nomination this year, with none making it into the competition.

Once again, A24 finds itself in contention for the Best Picture award with “The Brutalist” and receives several nominations for “Sing Sing”. However, three of the studio’s most powerful films (“Babygirl”, “I Saw the TV Glow”, and “Janet Planet”) were not nominated. It seemed only Nicole Kidman had a real chance among those titles to receive an Oscar nomination following her win at Venice and recognition from the National Board of Review, but she fell short. Similarly, Daniel Craig, who won the NBR’s best actor prize, was also overlooked as Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer” received no nominations at all. It was a disappointing morning for Guadagnino, as his film “Challengers” also failed to secure any nominations.

Check out EbMaster‘s annual list of great films rejected by the Oscars below.

Challengers

The 2024 Oscar nominations were disappointing for director Luca Guadagnino, as neither of his critically acclaimed films (“Queer” and “Challengers”) received any recognition. It was unexpected that “Challengers” wasn’t nominated given the anticipation surrounding Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ music score. The duo won in this category at the Golden Globes, and film critic Owen Gleiberman from EbMaster even named “Challengers” as the best movie of 2024. In a column, he wrote: “Could a movie as technically proficient and crowd-pleasing as Luca Guadagnino’s sporty love triangle drama make it to the Best Picture race? If not, the Oscars may have an issue.” It appears there is indeed an issue now.

Furiosa

The action-packed film “Mad Max: Fury Road” was recognized by the Academy Awards, earning nominations in ten categories and taking home six awards for best costume design, editing, makeup and hairstyling, production design, sound editing, and sound mixing. However, despite high expectations, George Miller’s latest installment “Furiosa” failed to make it into this year’s Oscars craft categories, which is surprising given the film’s impressive design elements that were comparable to its predecessor. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics and audiences, one might have expected “Furiosa” to compete on a similar level in terms of design.”

Or, in a more colloquial tone:

“Mad Max: Fury Road cleaned up at the Oscars with 10 nominations and winning six awards for its costume design, editing, makeup, production design, sound editing, and sound mixing. But George Miller’s new movie “Furiosa,” which was expected to be in the running this year for craft categories, didn’t even get a nod! With designs that were just as impressive as Fury Road, it’s shocking that Furiosa didn’t make the cut.

Hard Truths

Marianne Jean-Baptiste received the top actress accolade from both the New York Film Critics Circle and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for her exceptional performance in Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths.” This recognition also earned her a BAFTA nomination. Unfortunately, she did not receive an Oscar nomination. In the film, Jean-Baptiste portrays Patsy, a hardened and acerbic character who hides her grief and emotional turmoil beneath a tough facade. Watching “Hard Truths,” it’s hard not to be amazed by Jean-Baptiste’s talent for making viewers empathize with such a complex and deeply flawed character.

All We Imagine as Light

Queer

Babygirl

Nicole Kidman received top acting accolades at the Venice Film Festival and the National Board of Review for her daring portrayal in the erotic drama “Babygirl,” which also landed her a nomination for a Golden Globe. However, a surprising omission at the SAG Awards left Kidman’s chances for an Oscar nod uncertain, and now “Babygirl” has been excluded from the competition. Critic Owen Gleiberman of EbMaster ranked “Babygirl” as the 8th best film of 2024, remarking: “Kidman delivers a performance that rivals Diane Lane’s in ‘Unfaithful.’ She portrays this dangerous recklessness as something undeniably human, embodying a woman too fragmented to integrate the various aspects of herself.

Heretic

Typically, the Academy overlooks horror films at the Oscars, so it’s not shocking that A24’s “Heretic” was snubbed in categories like original screenplay and best actor for Hugh Grant. Despite this, Grant did garner some recognition this award season with nominations from the Golden Globes and BAFTAs. In the chilling role of a fanatical religious scholar, Grant delivers a gripping performance as he holds two Mormon missionaries captive in his home and drives them to renounce their faith. As EbMaster put it in his review: “Grant’s unexpectedly dark portrayal keeps viewers on edge, marking the furthest departure from the likable English actor we’ve ever seen in ‘Heretic’.

Saturday Night

Jason Reitman’s movie, titled “Saturday Night,” mirrors the tense 90 minutes prior to the initial NBC broadcast of “Saturday Night Live.” For a brief period last autumn, the film garnered significant attention for potential Oscar wins in both the best picture and original screenplay categories. However, “Saturday Night” failed to capture its moment in the limelight, swiftly fading away with only $9.8 million earned at the box office. EbMaster‘s Peter Debruge referred to “Saturday Night” as a Critic’s Pick, expressing that it is a heartfelt tribute to an American television icon, while also revealing the drugs, egos, and opening-night challenges that almost brought “SNL” to its knees.

Alien: Romulus

Fede Álvarez’s “Alien: Romulus” was an impressive addition to the enduring space franchise, deserving recognition for its visual effects in award categories like the Oscars. According to EbMaster‘s review, “‘Alien: Romulus'” stands out as one of the finest sequels in the “Alien” series due to its successful delivery of the chilling, slime-filled horror elements that the last three “Alien” films failed to achieve. This film offers a skillfully crafted, thrilling experience reminiscent of a video game. Despite being structured like a game, it manages to be a genuinely scary, expertly filmed piece of entertainment.

Kneecap

The Irish submission for the best international feature film was titled “Kneecap,” a riotously funny comedy that follows the ascendancy of an Irish hip-hop group sharing the same name, portrayed by the actual band members in their real-life story. Written and directed by Rich Peppiatt, this innovative decision earned the film 14 nominations at the British Independent Film Awards and won for best film; however, it was snubbed entirely at the Oscars. This is regrettable as the movie exudes boundless energy and skillfully combines political depth with mass appeal entertainment.

Green Border

Agnieszka Holland’s gripping refugee drama “Green Border” unfolds as a nerve-wracking tale along the Polish-Belarusian border. A mix of characters come together here, such as a Syrian family seeking refuge and an English teacher hailing from Afghanistan. Their narratives shed light on the current humanitarian predicament in Belarus. The film skillfully weaves its commentary on society within the tension of sharp, insightful cinematic techniques. If we can share their terror, perhaps there is a glimmer of hope.

Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World

Radu Jude’s darkly comedic workplace satire, titled “Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World,” was a standout on numerous top 10 critics’ lists and would have been a strong contender for an Oscar screenplay nomination. In the words of EbMaster’s review, this film is both amusing and enraged, crass and sophisticated, chaotic yet methodical. This absurd movie might just be the most rational film of the year; it serves as a complex critique, exposing the absurd internalized belief that one must work to live.

The Room Next Door

In a remarkable turn of events, Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language production, “The Room Next Door,” garnered the highest honor at the Venice Film Festival. This film also secured Tilda Swinton a nomination for the prestigious Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. However, despite Almodóvar’s reputation as an Oscars frontrunner, this particular work did not receive such recognition. Critic EbMaster, Peter Debruge, ranked “The Room Next Door” as the ninth best film of 2024, expressing his thoughts: “Almodóvar brings together powerhouse actors Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton as longtime friends bound by a promise that Moore makes to accompany her friend through her cancer journey. At moments, it seems as if Almodóvar has bared his chest and revealed his deepest fears about death, legacy, and the future of our planet.

The Piano Lesson

Netflix made a significant impact at the Oscars with its crime musical “Emilia Perez,” however, another competitor from Netflix, “The Piano Lesson,” didn’t fare as well despite receiving praise from critics and a SAG Award nomination for Danielle Deadwyler in the supporting actress category. Directed by Malcolm Washington, “The Piano Lesson” is an adaptation of Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington’s portrayals of August Wilson’s work. The story unfolds in 1936, following the Charles family after the Great Depression. Their prized piano is intricately decorated with carvings made by a forebear who was enslaved. One brother intends to capitalize on the family’s wealth by selling the piano and purchasing land where they once labored, while his sister seeks to maintain it as a testament to their heritage.

Didi

Last year, Sean Wang’s film “Didi” won the U.S. dramatic audience award at Sundance, but it didn’t generate much Oscar buzz despite critical acclaim and Spirit Award nominations for Joan Chen. The movie tells the story of a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy going through an awkward adolescence in 2008, as he spends his last month of summer before starting high school. According to EbMaster’s review, “Wang skillfully blends his natural comedic flair with deep insights into the struggle of defining one’s identity during teenage years. Despite being part of a crowded genre, ‘Dìdi’ stands out and serves as an impressive introduction.

Between the Temples

This year, Nathan Silver’s comedy “Between the Temples” earned Carol Kane the title of best supporting actress from the New York Film Critics Circle. In a glowing review, EbMaster described the film as an “unexpectedly quirky comedy.” The critic also noted that the film’s success is due in large part to the unusual chemistry between its two leads, and went on to say that it serves as Silver’s warmest work yet. The film bridges the gap between different age groups, offering a heartfelt message about embracing your individuality and living life authentically, even if it’s not conventional. Unfortunately, this small-budget indie may not be noticed by the internet’s strict age-gap watchdogs, but it has valuable lessons to impart in a gentle way.

His Three Daughters

Azazel Jacobs’s celebrated family drama “His Three Daughters” showcases an exceptional acting troupe, with Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne portraying three estranged sisters who reunite in a New York City apartment to tend to their terminally ill father and heal their fractured familial bonds. As stated by EbMaster, “This drama is both humorous and emotional, authentic…The movie is a meticulously crafted, candidly unsentimental reflection on the relationship between three grown sisters who have gathered to care for their dying father, suffering from cancer. It’s reminiscent of ‘Cries and Whispers,’ but with a quick-witted narrative revolving around sibling rivalry.

Hit Man

Glen Powell’s captivating portrayal in “Hit Man” turned Richard Linklater’s comedy into a streaming sensation on Netflix and even landed him a Golden Globe nomination. Yet, Netflix chose to support more dramatic Oscar candidates this year as its focus. Moreover, Powell was also involved in the film’s scriptwriting. Based on a true tale, Powell portrays an undercover New Orleans police officer who feigns being a hitman to apprehend his clients. However, complications arise when he develops feelings for the woman who hired him, played by Adria Arjona.

Civil War

In my interpretation, here’s how you could rephrase the given text:

Alex Garland’s film “Civil War” deserved at least an Oscar nomination for Best Sound. If not for that, it was certainly deserving due to Kirsten Dunst’s powerful portrayal of a disillusioned war photographer traveling through a devastated America in search of one of the final interviews with the U.S. president. The film also stars Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman. According to this review, “In Alex Garland’s ‘Civil War,’ the media are both the heroes and the villains – showing us a raw, unsettling glimpse of what a near-future division of the United States might be like.”

I tried to maintain the original meaning while making it more readable and natural for an audience.

The People’s Joker

Vera Drew’s film “The People’s Joker” received nominations from both the Gotham Awards and the Spirit Awards. However, it seems that only the Oscars overlooked such bold and refreshing independent movies. The movie was ranked as the 7th best of 2024 by Owen Gleiberman of EbMaster’s, who commented: “In her underground/midnight/guerrilla-cinema sensation, Drew portrays a maniacal Joker from DC comics legend, but also a satirical version of the Joker and a sincerely transgender heroine using the Joker’s persona to express herself to the world. Made without studio backing, this film is a testament to fanatic devotion, crafted within a mischievous and dynamic media landscape that blurs reality and fiction, challenging the idea that those who immerse themselves in cosplay are more true to comic book spirit than anyone else.

Kinds of Kindness

In a notable turn of events at the Oscars, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone garnered significant recognition with their films “The Favourite” and “Poor Things”, with Stone taking home the best actress award for the latter. However, their third joint production, “Kinds of Kindness”, may have been too enigmatic and disturbing for Academy voters, despite Jesse Plemons’ triumph at Cannes and his Golden Globe nomination. Critic EbMaster‘s Owen Gleiberman ranked “Kinds of Kindness” as the 10th best film of 2024, praising it as a cleverly unsettling depiction of our evolving world marked by power and deceit, wrapped in a subtle layer of avant-garde imagination.

The Bikeriders

Critic Peter Debruge from EbMaster’s ranked Jeff Nichols’ film “The Bikeriders” as the third best movie of 2024. In his review, he wrote: “Nichols observes this small society gradually self-destructing, much like how the gangster world did throughout the ‘Godfather’ series. If that reference sounds grandiose, consider this: ‘The Bikeriders’ touches on various themes, questioning American masculinity.” This movie is inspired by the 1968 photo book of the same name by Danny Lyon. In Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders,” we follow a motorcycle gang in Chicago as they navigate the tension between a young member (Austin Butler) and their leader (Tom Hardy).

Fancy Dance

In the film “Fancy Dance,” Lily Gladstone delivers an equally captivating performance as she did in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Directed by Erica Tremblay, this heartfelt coming-of-age story follows Jax (played by Lily Gladstone) and her niece, Roki (Isabel DeRoy-Olson), as they embark on a journey to find Roki’s mother. The movie is set within the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in northeast Oklahoma. Critics describe this independent drama as a crime thriller at heart, but it primarily focuses on the strong bond between a Seneca-Cayuga teenager and her guardian.

Juror #2

Janet Planet

I Saw the TV Glow

In a favorable light from prestigious awards like the Gotham Awards and Spirit Awards, “I Saw the TV Glow,” directed by Jane Schoenbrun, might have been too unconventional and grandiose for the typical Academy. The film follows two troubled high school students, played by Justice Smith and Jack Haven, who find solace in their shared affection for a peculiar television series. However, as the show and strange occurrences in their real lives intertwine, they begin to question their very identities. According to EbMaster’s review, “It is in its character-driven setup where ‘I Saw the TV Glow’ resonates most deeply, rooted in the tense, unspoken connection between two guarded individuals. This bond is electrified by Lundy-Paine’s delicate yet volatile portrayal of someone convinced there is no suitable refuge for them beyond the confines of the television screen.

My Old Ass

Thelma

La Chimera

Alice Rohrwacher’s captivating film “La Chimera” features Josh O’Connor, known for his role in “Challengers.” This movie follows a band of Italian grave robbers as they strive to pull off their most significant heist while eluding law enforcement and dealing with internal conflicts. Critic Guy Lodge of EbMaster named “La Chimera” a Critic’s Pick, describing it as “a wonderfully flexible and sinuous film.” He also praised O’Connor’s performance, commenting that he is both rough-around-the-edges yet boyish, or effortlessly switching between these traits to mask the other, without resorting to sentimentality.

Love Lies Bleeding

As a passionate cinephile, I found Rose Glass’s gritty crime thriller “Love Lies Bleeding” to be a captivating yet controversial masterpiece. The story revolves around a local gym owner in small-town America who finds herself enamored with a newcomer bodybuilder. Their passionate romance takes a dark turn when murder enters the scene. Notably, Owen Gleiberman, a renowned critic from EbMaster, labeled “Love Lies Bleeding” as a critic’s pick, praising it as a film that starts off raw and intense, gradually spiraling into a wild, unpredictable journey. The movie accumulates an abundance of excessive violence and bizarre twists to become a perfect fit for a midnight viewing experience.

The Order

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say my take on Justin Kurzel’s “The Order” is that it’s an engaging and powerful docudrama delving into the modern American white-supremacist movement in the 1980s. Jude Law delivered what could very well be his finest performance, yet this movie didn’t get the recognition it deserved during this year’s Oscar race. In the film, Law portrays an FBI agent who uncovers a sinister network of right-wing racist extremists in the Pacific Northwest, known as the Order, who were secretly funding their self-proclaimed “army” to overthrow the U.S. government.

In his review, Owen Gleiberman points out that one of the film’s most striking aspects is how it illustrates the emotional and historical roots of the belief that the U.S. government is an enemy, which are deeply intertwined with white supremacy ideology.

The Outrun

Saoirse Ronan received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress due to her role in “The Outrun,” yet she was always considered an underdog in the Oscar race. Her portrayal of Rona, a woman grappling with alcoholism and seeking self-discovery, is captivating. Directed by Nora Fingscheidt, this film uses a unique storyline that intertwines three different time periods: Rona’s struggle during her ten years in London, her descent into addiction, and her subsequent journey towards recovery after moving back to the Orkney Islands in Scotland.

Femme

The captivating and award-winning film “Femme,” which has won three British Independent Film Awards and was nominated for a Gotham Award, focuses on the intricate relationship between a renowned drag artist in London (played by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) and a secretive gay man who viciously assaulted him (George MacKay). Their paths cross again several months later at a sauna, leading to an affair. The performances of Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and George MacKay, delivering exceptional portrayals as two individuals sharing little in common except their sexuality, serve as the film’s main draw. This stylish production skillfully combines intense genre elements with a deliberate, introspective character analysis. (Review quote: “A pair of sensational performances by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and George MacKay, locked in a tense dance as two men sharing little in common but their sexuality, serves as the film’s primary allure, representing the chief selling point for this visually appealing, commendably unyielding blend of genre thrills and thoughtful character study.”)

Good One

Gotham Contender ‘Good One’: A Backpacking Trip Turned Upside Down”

Synopsis: This drama-comedy, ‘Good One’, chronicles the journey of Sam, a teenager, as she embarks on a backpacking trip with her father and his companion. The story takes an unexpected turn when a seemingly minor infraction triggers a life-altering disclosure for Sam, as it subtly unfolds a world-changing revelation across her face. Critics praise India Donaldson’s directorial debut, ‘Good One’, as a thoughtful exploration of the evolving power dynamics between parents and their nearly grown offspring.

Ghostlight

Unstoppable

The film “Unstoppable” recounts the real-life journey of Anthony Robles, portrayed by Jharrel Jerome, who was born without a leg but overcame obstacles to secure a position on the Arizona State Wrestling team. Robles’ aspirations became reality with the unyielding love and backing of his mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the motivation from his coaches. Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, and Don Cheadle are also part of the cast. The movie was lauded as “a genuine sports-themed crowd-pleaser that you can trust” and Jerome’s performance was commended for its subtle yet impactful quality.

The Fire Inside

In her first venture as a feature director, Rachel Morrison presents “The Fire Inside,” a movie written by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins and recognized by both the Gotham Awards and Spirit Awards. This drama depicts the true account of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, a fighter from Flint, Michigan who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics. In his review, EbMaster‘s Owen Gleiberman lauded Ryan Destiny’s captivating portrayal in the main role and described the film as “compelling,” further stating: “The movie serves as a powerful motivator, but it also reflects a sobering understanding of the pain that can accompany victory.

2025-01-23 18:50

37 Outstanding Films Snubbed by the 2025 Oscars: ‘Furiosa,’ ‘Challengers,’ and More Miss Out on Noms