By: Sage Futrell '26
The nominees for the 95th annual Academy awards were revealed earlier this month. Once again, avid film fans and casual watchers alike are questioning the board’s choices. Some are particularly critical about the lack of diversity present in this year’s nominations, as many of the films excluded by the Oscars this year feature directors and actors of color.
Here is a list of some notable movies that were completely absent from the Academy’s list:
Nope
Photos courtesy of IMDb (left) and NPR (right)
Nope is hard to describe without spoiling. But by all accounts, Jordan Peele’s latest thought-provoking “terror film” should have swept the nominations. From Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya’s incredible acting to the mind-melting sound design, this movie checked every box. Nope ingeniously combines two of Hollywood's most popular genres – the American Western and Alien Sci-Fi – with Peele’s signature Afrosurrealist storytelling style. Perhaps the Academy felt threatened by the film’s critiques of exploitation in entertainment (particularly that of Black creators and of animals). Or the Academy once again failed to praise horror as a nuanced genre.
Nope is currently available for streaming on Peacock TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.
X (and its prequel Pearl)
Pearl
Photos courtesy of IMDb (left) and FilmAffinity (right)
Speaking of horror…
Everything Everywhere All At Once has received a whopping 11 nominations, so why aren’t A24’s other breakout horror hits appearing on the Academy’s radar? Mia Goth’s outstanding performance in Pearl carried her titular character’s villain backstory. As an homage to the slasher subgenre with a raunchy premise and iconic kills, X really encapsulated the definition of “camp.” These films may not have been recognized by the Oscars, A24 has undoubtedly shaped popular perceptions of the slasher with Pearl and X. The memorability (and meme-ability) of “I’m a star!” is proof enough.
Both X and Pearl can be found on a number of streaming platforms, including Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Till
Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures UK (left) and MGM Studios (right)
Till is a heart-wrenching retelling of the wrongful murder of Emmett Till and his mother’s fight for justice. Thoughtfully adapted by director and scriptwriter Chinonye Chukwu, this film captured one of the darkest moments in American history in a respectful and thorough manner. Everyone involved in this movie did their homework – 27 years’ worth of research compiled by Keith Beauchamp was used and Till’s family were consulted during production. Till didn’t receive a single Oscar nomination despite its powerful narrative and craftful screenplay. In response, Chukwu has accused the Academy of misogynoir.
Till is available for streaming on Prime Video, Roku, Vudu, and Apple TV.
The Woman King
Photos courtesy of IMDb (left) and The New York Times (right)
Another historical drama that got snubbed is The Woman King, which explores the lives of a group of warrior women who served the Dahomey kingdom. This action-packed film highlighted Viola Davis’s abilities as an iconic lead actress and brought attention to talented newcomers like Thuso Mbedu. The vibrant cinematography and intense fight scenes in this movie had viewers on the edge of their seats. But even though the Academy has a notable bias for period pieces, The Woman King didn’t impress them. It may be because historians have noted some inaccuracies in the film’s narrative, but a number of past Hollywood hits have stretched the truth in similar ways.
The Woman King is currently on Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, and Roku. It will also be added to Netflix on February 16th, right before the Oscars premiere.
Decision to Leave
Photos courtesy of IMDb (left) and Mashable (right)
Decision to Leave is a romantic mystery that received plenty of critical acclaim for its artistic cinematography and twists. The film follows a detective gradually falling in love with the wife of the dead man that he is investigating. This seemingly simple premise quickly delves into a complex plot that caught the attention of viewers at various film fests, including the Toronto International Film Festival. Producer and director Park Chan-Wook, whose talent has been praised by many other established creators, was awarded a Palme D’or for Best Director at the Cannes. However, Decision to Leave only made the shortlist for this year’s Oscars. A number of fans were upset by this choice, especially considering how the Academy has historically ignored the South Korean film sector.
Decision to Leave can be streamed on Apple TV and Prime Video.