Top 10 Unexpected Best Picture Nominees
The Academy Awards for Best Picture typically go to films that fit a certain mold – sweeping dramas, historical epics, or critically lauded indies. But every so often, the Oscars throw a curveball, nominating movies that defy expectations. From beloved animated features to genre-bending blockbusters, these films surprised everyone by earning a spot among the year’s elite. Here are 10 unexpected Best Picture nominees that made us do a double-take.
10. Babe (1995)
For a generation, Babe is a cherished childhood classic, remembered for its heartwarming tale of a pig who learns to herd sheep. While beloved, it might surprise some that this adaptation of Dick King-Smith’s book snagged a Best Picture nomination from the Academy in 1995. Despite its “cute kids’ movie” reputation, Babe was a critical darling, boasting a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. It even earned seven Oscar nominations in total, beating out films like Heat, Casino, and Se7en for a coveted Best Picture spot.
9. The Hours (2002)
Looking back, The Hours stands out as an unexpected nominee in the competitive 2003 Best Picture race. While Chicago took home the top prize, and Gangs of New York, The Pianist, and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers have arguably endured more, The Hours still secured a nomination. Though not a “bad” movie, featuring strong performances including Nicole Kidman’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Virginia Woolf, it was the only one of its nine nominations to win.
8. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
There’s no doubt that Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of Steven Spielberg’s iconic films, showcasing his mastery of action and adventure. However, its Best Picture nomination might seem unusual given the Academy’s typical preferences. Historically, Spielberg’s box office success rarely translated to major Oscar wins until Schindler’s List. Raiders of the Lost Ark shares more in common with blockbusters like Jurassic Park and The Adventures of Tintin, neither of which received Best Picture nods.
7. War Horse (2011)
Continuing the trend of Steven Spielberg’s surprising Oscar history, War Horse secured a unexpected Best Picture nomination in 2011. While not considered among his absolute best, its inclusion often gets overlooked due to Spielberg’s extensive track record of nominations. The film received solid, but not spectacular, reviews and hasn’t cultivated the same devoted fan base as many of his other classics. Despite being an emotional war story based on Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling book, its Best Picture nod felt a little generous.
6. Mank (2020)
In some ways, Mank’s Best Picture nomination wasn’t entirely a shock. The 2020 pandemic year created an unusual cinematic landscape, and the Academy has a long-standing appreciation for films about filmmaking. The striking black-and-white cinematography likely also played a role. While there’s much to admire about Mank, it doesn’t quite stack up against David Fincher’s masterpieces like Se7en or Fight Club (neither of which were nominated for Best Picture). Still, this expertly crafted biopic, a departure from his usual crime thrillers, garnered an impressive 10 nominations.
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5. Up (2009)
Many of Pixar’s films have seen tremendous Oscar success, and the studio has largely dominated the Best Animated Feature category since Finding Nemo. However, a Best Picture nomination is a much rarer feat, achieved only by Up and Toy Story 3 the following year. Up, a joyous adventure known for its poignant opening and boundless creativity, still felt like a surprising Best Picture choice. It makes you wonder what set Up apart from other critically acclaimed Pixar films like Ratatouille, WALL-E, or Inside Out.
4. Beauty & The Beast (1991)
Beauty and the Beast’s Best Picture nomination is arguably even more surprising than Up’s for a couple of reasons. Back in 1991, there were only five Best Picture nominees, and the Academy hadn’t yet introduced the Best Animated Feature category, meaning animated films were historically overlooked. Despite this, Beauty and the Beast, one of Disney’s most visually stunning and beloved animated classics, broke through. While it followed a familiar fairy tale formula with catchy songs and humor, other equally deserving Disney films from the ’90s, like The Lion King and Aladdin, didn’t receive similar recognition.
3. The Godfather Part III (1990)
Following in the footsteps of its critically acclaimed predecessors – The Godfather Part II being the first sequel to win Best Picture – The Godfather Part III is widely remembered as a significant disappointment. While its reputation is somewhat harsh (it has some great moments, especially the operatic finale), its Best Picture nomination remains a shock. It’s certainly not as complete or captivating as the first two films, and it ultimately went home empty-handed from its seven nominations.
2. The Insider (1999)
The Insider was a box office disappointment, perhaps due to its less-than-thrilling premise: a real-life whistleblower in the tobacco industry. This meant the film largely flew under the radar, yet it’s a captivating drama that critics have consistently admired. While Michael Mann is better known for explosive crime thrillers like Heat and Collateral, The Insider is equally compelling, thanks in part to powerful performances from Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. One wonders if it would be more popular today if it had won Best Picture over American Beauty.
1. Star Wars (1977)
It’s easy to forget that the original Star Wars movie received an impressive 10 Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture. The franchise it spawned has since become almost synonymous with blockbuster entertainment, often seen as the antithesis of what the Academy typically rewards. It’s hard to imagine any upcoming Star Wars films getting a Best Picture nod, no matter how good they are. The Oscars it did win—in technical categories like Best Visual Effects and Best Costume Design—underscore why it became such a cultural institution: George Lucas’ brilliant world-building was matched by groundbreaking filmmaking techniques.