Hollywood’s biggest night hasn’t always been golden. Sometimes, it’s been a storm.
Since 1929, the Academy Awards — better known as the Oscars — have celebrated cinematic excellence. But beneath the glamour, red carpets, and tearful speeches lies a long history of controversies, snubs, and unforgettable moments that sparked outrage, debate, and even change in the film industry.
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Let’s dive into some of the most shocking and talked-about Oscar controversies in history.
1. Citizen Kane (1941) Loses Best Picture
Regarded as the greatest film of all time, Citizen Kane lost Best Picture to How Green Was My Valley. Politics and studio pressure (especially from William Randolph Hearst) influenced the voting — leaving Orson Welles’ masterpiece with just one Oscar for Best Screenplay.
The ultimate Oscar snub — and still debated today.
2. Crash (2006) Beats Brokeback Mountain
In one of the most controversial Best Picture wins, Crash defeated Brokeback Mountain — a landmark LGBTQ+ film that had won nearly every major award beforehand. Many critics and fans saw the Academy’s choice as a step backward.
Critics called it “the worst Best Picture decision of the decade.”
3. Oscars So White (2015–2016)
For two consecutive years, all 20 acting nominations went to white performers. This sparked the viral hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, bringing long-overdue attention to the lack of diversity in Hollywood and prompting the Academy to overhaul its membership and voting system.
A cultural turning point that reshaped the Oscars forever.
4. Shakespeare in Love Beats Saving Private Ryan (1999)
Harvey Weinstein’s aggressive Oscar campaign led to Shakespeare in Love beating Saving Private Ryan for Best Picture. While both films were strong contenders, many still feel the WWII epic was more deserving.
A clear case of marketing over merit.
5. Marlon Brando Sends Sacheen Littlefeather (1973)
When Brando won Best Actor for The Godfather, he sent Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the award on his behalf, protesting Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans. She was booed and mocked — only to be officially apologized to by the Academy decades later in 2022.
A protest that shocked Hollywood — and made history.
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6. The Snub of The Dark Knight (2009)
Despite critical and commercial success, The Dark Knight was not nominated for Best Picture. This snub led to widespread backlash — and forced the Academy to expand its Best Picture category from 5 to up to 10 nominees starting in 2010.
Proof that superheroes can change Hollywood rules.
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7. Ang Lee’s Wins vs. Best Picture Losses
Director Ang Lee won Best Director twice (Brokeback Mountain, Life of Pi) — but both films lost Best Picture. His consistent snubs in the top category have puzzled fans, given his critical acclaim and artistic innovation.
How can the best director not have the best picture?
8. Three 6 Mafia Wins Before Martin Scorsese (2006)
Before Scorsese finally won Best Director for The Departed in 2007, many pointed out that the rap group Three 6 Mafia won an Oscar (Best Original Song for Hustle & Flow) before him — a humorous but telling critique of the Academy's voting logic.
A meme-worthy moment with real industry implications.
9. Chadwick Boseman’s Posthumous Snub (2021)
Most expected Chadwick Boseman to win Best Actor posthumously for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The Academy even rearranged the ceremony to end with the award. But Anthony Hopkins won — and wasn't present. The show ended on a silent, awkward note.
An anticlimax that felt disrespectful to Boseman’s legacy.
10. Women Directors Consistently Overlooked
Despite groundbreaking work, female directors have been chronically underrepresented. Only four women have won Best Director in Oscar history:
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Kathryn Bigelow (2010)
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Chloé Zhao (2021)
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Jane Campion (2022)
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Justine Triet (2024)
Many others — like Greta Gerwig (Little Women, Barbie) — were left out entirely.
Talent shouldn’t be gendered. The industry is still catching up.
The Bigger Picture
The Oscars have long reflected not just the best in film — but also the biases, power dynamics, and cultural struggles within Hollywood.
They’ve gotten it wrong. They’ve sparked debates. But they’ve also evolved.
Controversy keeps the Oscars relevant — and forces them to grow.
What Do You Think?
Which snub or controversy do you think was the worst? Do the Oscars still matter today?
Drop your thoughts in the comment section.
- From Pitch To Popcorn.
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