Tell Us Which All-Time Great Movie Performances You're Pissed Never Got An Oscar Nomination

Joseph Longo
·2-min read

The 2025 Oscar nominations were announced on Thursday. While the acting noms were largely heralded, including a historic moment for Emilia Pérez's Karla Sofía Gascón as the first openly trans actress to receive a nomination, many felt some powerhouse performances were shut out.

Person sitting in a car, holding sunglasses and gazing through the window, appearing pensive
Netflix /Courtesy Everett Collection

For example, Marianne Jean-Baptiste in Hard Truths was nominated for numerous precursors but didn't snag the Best Actress nom.

A person with braided hair wears a jacket, looking concerned while talking on a cellphone indoors
Bleecker Street Media /Courtesy Everett Collection

Similarly, Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, Denzel Washington in Gladiator II, Margaret Qualley in The Substance, and Daniel Craig in Queer all came up short.

Person drinking from a glass. They have blonde hair, styled in soft waves, and are wearing a button-up shirt with subtle jewelry
Person drinking from a glass. They have blonde hair, styled in soft waves, and are wearing a button-up shirt with subtle jewelry
Man in ornate armor and jewelry stands confidently on a chariot, evoking an ancient or historical setting
Man in ornate armor and jewelry stands confidently on a chariot, evoking an ancient or historical setting

Niko Tavernise /© A24 / Courtesy Everett Collection, Aidan Monaghan /© Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

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Though Marianne, Nicole, and Denzel have all received Oscar nominations before (and the latter two have won), they're far from being the only legendary actors who didn't score a nom for a major performance. Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was never nominated for an Oscar, not even for Some Like It Hot?

Person sitting on a piano in an elegant, sleeveless, beaded dress, with a stage backdrop
United Artists/Everett Collection

So you tell us: What are some of the most notable film roles that you simply can't believe weren't nominated? Maybe it's Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls...

Three people in fashionable outfits appear surprised inside a clothing store
Paramount / courtesy Everett Collection

...or Samuel L. Jackson in literally any of his many iconic performances. He's shockingly only received an Oscar nom just once: Best Supporting Actor for Pulp Fiction. It should be noted that he received an honorary Oscar in 2022.

Two men sit in a courtroom. One wears a suit, the other a shirt and tie. Both look serious. An audience is visible in the background
Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Perhaps you really, truly believed Jennifer Lopez, who admitted "got my hopes up" for a nom, deserved one for Hustlers (I did!)...

Two people in glamorous outfits, one in a fur coat, share a moment on a rooftop at night, city lights glowing in the background
STX Entertainment / courtesy Everett Collection

...or Margot Robbie for Barbie.

Person in retro outfit joyfully driving a vintage convertible on a desert road, pointing towards a colorful "Barbie Land" sign
Warner Bos. /Courtesy Everett Collection

Whatever role it is, let us know in the comments below! The best answers may be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post.

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