“The list includes serious classics. The famous Oscar once was considered the most prestigious award in the world of film; however, for years, most people believe that the Oscars are increasingly awarded to films that don’t actually deserve it.
According to world public opinion, as reported by “Independent,” the Oscars are far from what is claimed to be – a celebration of the previous year’s film offerings. Nevertheless, this doesn’t stop people from frantically searching the internet the next morning after the ceremony in hopes that maybe, just maybe, the list of winners will impress them rather than disappoint, or perhaps to watch the Oscar winner on one of the many websites that illegally show movies.
We found a list of 18 movies that never should have won this award.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
“A Beautiful Mind” starring the esteemed Russell Crowe in the lead role, is one of the most memorable movies that won an Oscar.
Although the victory of this film was a breakthrough for “DreamWorks” (the famous film production and distribution company), as winning the Oscar for best film brought the third consecutive award to Steven Spielberg’s film studio, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen, many believe that the victory was not deserved.
Considering that Ron Howard won the award for best director ahead of Robert Altman and David Lynch for “Gosford Park” and “Mulholland Drive.”
“A Beautiful Mind” won the Oscar in 2002.
Chariots of Fire (1980)
Although “Chariots of Fire” is exactly the type of film that the Academy usually awards, the fact that this film won was a big surprise. Everyone expected “Reds” to win the main award. Warren Beatty’s film was far more deserving of the award.
Coda (2021)
The first half of this film is probably the worst 45 minutes in any movie that ever won an Oscar, according to many. It’s full of frustrating characters who perform similarly frustrating actions, which, you guessed it, is frustrating to watch. The second half improves, but it’s too late. Coda has good intentions in theory, but it could have been much better in practice. “Coda” is considered to have simply been a lucky recipient of the Academy’s recognition.
Cold Mountain (2003)
“Cold Mountain” was lucky because it was nominated in a particularly weak year for best supporting actress. Renee Zellweger was recovering from the failure she experienced with “Chicago” just a year earlier, and in 2004, she triumphed with an Oscar in her hands. Renee was selected as the best supporting actress in the movie “Cold Mountain.”
Crash (2004)
Those who regularly follow the Oscars are accustomed to expected victories in almost all categories. However, none were as much of a miss as the drama “Crash” directed by Paul Haggis. The film beat Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” in the category for best film in 2005.
Dances with Wolves (1990)
The problem is not that “Dances with Wolves” is a bad film, but that Kevin Costner’s epic won a total of seven Oscars in the same year that the film “Goodfellas” was also nominated. It won only one award – for best supporting actor, awarded to Joe Pesci.
The Danish Gir (2015)
The acting and overall performance of the famous Alicia Vikander is by no means bad or controversial, but it seems that it was nothing special compared to Rooney Mara in Todd Haynes’ film. If Tom Hooper hadn’t won five years earlier for “The King’s Speech,” it seems unlikely that the drama would have garnered many nominations, perhaps even none.
Grand Hotel (1932)
There is a reason why “Grand Hotel” is the only film to win the best picture award without being nominated in any other category. The film is worth watching, but nothing more than that.
Going My Way (1944)
The only musical on the list is “Going My Way.” And perhaps this achievement was the biggest cinematic hit of the year, but it certainly wasn’t better than the classic “Double Indemnity,” which it beat in the race for best picture. In fact, it’s not even close to the greatest film by director Leo McCarey, who won six years earlier for “The Awful Truth” and two years later was nominated again for “The Bells of St. Mary’s.”
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Ironically, the film with the word “greatest” in the title made it among the worst Oscar winners in history. This is perhaps the best example of what it looks like when the Academy votes for spectacle rather than quality.
Green Book (2018)
For those who don’t care about awards, “Green Book” is a popular movie that boasts solid performances by Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. For everyone else, it’s a mild disappointment that somehow emerged out of nowhere to snatch the best picture award from “Roma.”
The Imitation Game (2014)
“The Imitation Game” won the award for best adapted screenplay, which begs the question: what the heck was this utterly average film doing among the nominees?
The Iron Lady (2011)
Meryl Streep has won enough Oscars to make the world aware that she is clearly one of the greatest actresses in history. Her award for Best Actress in “The Iron Lady,” many would say, was still one Oscar too many for the famous actress. Although Viola Davis has since spoken out against the film for which she was nominated that year – “The Help” – it was a better performance.
Out of Africa (1985)
Sidney Pollack’s drama can boast decent performances by Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, but it goes on for too long. Fortunately, John Barry’s music and the beautiful landscapes depicted in the film save it from being a complete waste of time, but it’s far from being the best film of 1985. Among the other nominees, “Witness” would have been a worthy winner.
The Pianist (2002)
It will later be accepted that the disgraced filmmaker Roman Polanski should not be given awards, but in 2003, this was still happening with the Oscars. “The Pianist” won the award for best director, an award without which the French-Polish director could definitely pass.
A Place in the Sun (1951)
“A Place in the Sun” is a good little film, but fine little films shouldn’t win Oscars – especially when there are better competitors behind them. In this case, director George Stevens beat out John Huston (“African Queen”), William Wyler (“Detective Story”), and Elia Kazan (“A Streetcar Named Desire”).
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
You have to admit that “Shakespeare in Love” played the Oscar campaign perfectly, surpassing the war favorites “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Thin Red Line” and winning the biggest prize of the evening. However, that doesn’t mean its success wasn’t merely evidence of the Academy’s poor judgment.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
It’s often good to acknowledge that a film is not nearly as good as you thought it was. Unfortunately, “Slumdog Millionaire” is one of those. While the victory undoubtedly brought smiles to many faces, its success has faded in recent years.
The deserving winner, “The Dark Knight,” wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture. This oversight led the Academy to increase the number of nominees for Best Picture.”
