The Academy Awards, or Oscars as they are now commonly known, are awarded annually to the best in the film industry. Of the 24 award categories, the one that most people look forward to is undoubtedly the award for Best Picture. Every year, nominees in this category dazzle audiences with a range of extraordinary films. However, some of these nominees have been much less popular than others. To give you a better understanding of the worst Best Picture nominees in Oscar history, the following list reveals all.
- Cats, 2019
When Tom Hooper’s live adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical Cats was released in 2019, it was met with a less than favorable response from the moviegoers. While the original musical had won 7 Tony Awards, the film adaptation left many viewers scratching their heads in befuddlement. As a consequence, it only earned $73 million worldwide against a whopping $90 million budget. Unfortunately, this poor reception lead to it being nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, much to the chagrin of many.
- Blazing Saddles, 1974
Few can deny the comedic genius of Mel Brooks and his 1974 classic, Blazing Saddles. Despite being one of the greatest comedies of all-time, many felt that it was completely unsuitable to be up for the Best Picture category. Criticized for its political incorrectness and its crude gags, it seemed totally lost with the other higher-quality nominees, hence why it lost the award to The Godfather Part II.
- Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, 1991
If there’s one thing that comes to mind when we think of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves it’s certainly not Oscar glory. The 1991 film, starring Kevin Costner as the titular hero, was panned by critics and moviegoers alike. Many found it to be too cheesy and over-the-top. Nonetheless, it earned a nomination for Best Picture, only to be beaten by The Silence of the Lambs.
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, 2009
Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen needs no introduction. The second installment in the Transformers franchise, it was an entertainment juggernaut. Although it was a commercial success, the movie was criticized for its overreliance on CGI and a forgettable plot. Despite being widely mocked, it somehow got a nod from the Academy and became a Best Picture nominee.
- Gone with the Wind, 1939
Gone With The Wind is widely considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time, but even this classic received some backlash. Its nomination for Best Picture in 1939 was widely contested as it perpetuated racial stereotypes and glorified the Confederacy. Many felt that there were more worthy nominees at the time and this particular nomination set a precedent in Hollywood that had far-reaching consequences.
- The English Patient, 1996
Another Best Picture nominee with a controversial past is The English Patient. Widely considered to be a boring love story, the film was criticized by many. Unfortunately, its overwhelming popularity with the Academy meant that it won the Oscar that year, beating out far more superior films like Fargo, Jerry Maguire, and Shine.
- War Horse, 2011
The 2011 Steven Spielberg drama War Horse is another Oscar nominee that raises some eyebrows. Despite having passionate performances and quality visuals, its plotline was predictable and a little too melodramatic for its own good. As a result, it was widely snubbed by viewers, which made its nomination for Best Picture all the more interesting.
The Oscars are one of the most prestigious awards in the world and its Best Picture category is undoubtedly one of the most coveted. Although most nominees in this category do deserve their nomination, some are really not up to scratch. The above list therefore gives you an insight into the worst Best Picture nominees in Oscar history and why they were considered to be unworthy of the award.
