The Oscars—one of Hollywood’s most anticipated events, and for good reason. One night a year, artistic visionaries and stars alike gather to celebrate the year’s achievements in film. But Academy voters are only human, and can make mistakes in who they choose to nominate for these prestigious awards.

And they did.

There are hundreds of movies eligible for the Academy Awards every year, so it’s understandable that not every great movie can receive a nomination—even if it’s truly exceptional in that category. Here are the five films most snubbed by this year’s Oscar nominations.

5. Trap

Nominations received: 0

Nominations it deserved: 1

1. Night Shyamalan’s pulpy comedy-thriller is certainly not deserving of the Academy’s top honor, Best Picture, or even any awards for writing or directing. But that’s not to say it doesn’t merit a nod.

Trap certainly could have taken a spot in Sound. The sound in Trap is crisp and works very well thematically. It is pretty standard for the first half of the film, which takes place at the pop concert. It balances Cooper’s measured dialogue with the clamor and dreamlike singing in the background well, though it is nothing special.

But really, it is in the second half of the film—where Cooper’s plans consistently fall apart—when it truly shines. Utilizing a dampening and echo effect intermittently to represent his mental state, the effects perfectly capture Cooper’s psychopathic spiral as his situation becomes more and more hopeless. You truly feel you’re inside the head of a deranged killer and while many of Trap’s psychological thriller aspects fall flat, the sound is not one of them.

4. I Saw the TV Glow

Nominations received: 0

Nominations it deserved: 1

I Saw the TV Glow doesn’t have much to offer in the way of entertainment value. The movie is quite slow and artsy, with an unclear and confusing plot and dull writing. It falls apart upon re-watch, and the acting, though strong in a few scenes, leaves something to be desired throughout most of the film.

However, underneath its unremarkable surface, I Saw the TV Glow offers an intriguing message, wonderfully conveyed through its art direction and cinematography. Though the sets contribute to the film’s unnerving feel, the lighting is where the psychedelic tone really comes through, and the movie shines. Through the use of vibrant projections and bright colors, the imaginary world Owen immerses in throughout the movie seems to seep into reality, both for the characters and the viewer. The film would certainly be worthy of recognition for Achievement in Cinematography.

3. Hundreds of Beavers

Nominations received: 0

Nominations it deserved: 1

The near-silent, independent slapstick comedy film may not look like much, but its bizarre humor (which feels like a live-action Looney Tunes cartoon) is extremely charming. Though it doesn’t work for everyone, it is a very solid (albeit niche) movie.

Looking at almost any frame of the movie, one thing sticks out: the hilariously absurdist costumes. The titular beavers, as well as the movie’s other animals like rabbits and wolves, are represented by humans in full-sized mascot suits. Just that alone is enough to perfectly set the tone for the rest of the movie, but the genius of Hundreds of Beavers’ costumes doesn’t stop there.

Throughout the movie, the film’s drunkard protagonist Jean Kayak sees beavers dressed in human clothing, including beaver detectives, beaver lawyers, and beaver construction workers. These kooky images mesh well with how hysterical the rest of the movie is, and the costumes appear well-made for an indie movie with such a small budget.

The costumes worn by the few human characters are great too, with none better than the hunter outfit Jean wears later in the movie—completed with a dead raccoon mascot-head hat. The absurdity and cohesiveness of every costume that this movie definitely could have warranted a nomination for Costume Design.

2. Sing Sing

Nominations received: 3

Nominations it deserved: 4

Though Sing Sing was nominated in three categories—Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Original Song, and Writing (Adapted Screenplay)—I would argue that it deserves to be nominated for the highest honor offered by the Academy: Best Picture.

The movie is very good—similar to The Shawshank Redemption in the way it handles its prison storyline, but taking a different approach to the story as a whole. It offers a moving tale of the uplifting power of art and creative expression. The fact that Sing Sing is a true story, and many of the prisoners are portrayed by themselves, makes it all the more emotional and stunning. It seems like the kind of movie that is usually favored by the Academy: a gripping drama with a clear message and ultimately an uplifting (yet thought-provoking) ending.

Sing Sing perfectly blends its dramatic and tragic core with inspiring scenes, making the movie not too difficult to watch like some dramas can be, but it still leaves a lasting impact. It’s also a solidly paced and edited movie, not to mention its excellent screenplay (which the Academy has already acknowledged). It’s also entertaining and even funny at times, but its fun scenes and jokes never feel overbearing.

The acting is amazing as well. Colman Domingo, who is nominated for Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, delivers a stunning performance as Divine G; however, arguably more impressive is Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, who plays a fictional version of himself and brings an amazingly nuanced and real portrayal to the table. The supporting cast, which is also largely played by the real people that went through the RTA program at Sing Sing, do great jobs at creating likable and complex characters.

Every aspect of Sing Sing is incredible, and of course, it comes together to make a good movie that is worthy of all three of the nominations it did receive, as well as a Best Picture nomination.

1. Dìdi

Nominations received: 0

Nominations it deserved: 3

Dìdi only came onto my radar in early January, months after its release, but it immediately cemented itself as one of the best pictures of 2024. Its coming-of-age story is funny, heartwarming, emotional, and strikes true even for a younger generation (the film centers around a 13-year-old boy in his final summer before high school, in 2008). Even though the specific elements of the time period—like AOL Instant Messenger and early Facebook and YouTube—may not be relatable for high schoolers of the 2020s, the film’s overarching themes and plot points may still hit home.

At the core of the film is teenager Chris’ relationship with his family, which consists of his grandmother, his mom, and his older sister. The acting of all four characters is great, but one of them is unexpectedly (but undeniably) the beating heart of the movie: Joan Chen as Chungsing Wang, Chris’ mom. Chen’s performance is natural and believable, emotionally compelling, and one of the best of the year of the films I’ve seen. In a scene in the latter half of the movie, she delivers an amazing and emotional monologue that would win anyone over. Her performance easily deserves a nomination for Actress in a Supporting Role.

The movie also has an exceptional screenplay, which goes hand-in-hand with its great editing. Dìdi is well-paced, with a slightly loose plot that always feels natural. Each plot thread flows well into the next, and it never feels forced or confusing despite its unique structure. The teenage characters have realistic and funny exchanges, and even characters that aren’t central to the plot feel well-developed and have smart dialogue. 

On the editing side of things, no scenes really feel out of place. As a slice-of-life movie, even more mundane scenes are interesting and contribute to the development of the characters and their relationships. The movie’s visual themes are strong and very consistent. Honestly, Dìdi is worthy of a nomination for both Film Editing and Writing (Adapted Screenplay).

From January through December, 2024 was an incredibly strong year for movies. It is understandable that not every movie I would have nominated made the cut and it is very possible that someone more knowledgeable about movies than I am (like an Oscars voter or industry professional) could rip this list to shreds. But it’s fun to dream.