27 Actors Who Were So Freaking Good In Movies But Got Zero Credit For It

A24

Why she should have been nominated: "She was brilliant in every way. She acted the hell out of that role, expertly crafting the nuances and subtleties of her character’s traumas, while also letting herself be totally immersed in that world. It’s a masterclass in acting. It’s a damn shame she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for it, although horror movies rarely get Oscar recognition, so I wasn’t surprised despite being disappointed." —zachr45

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actress instead: Renée Zellweger* in Judy, Cynthia Erivo in Harriet, Charlize Theron in Bombshell, Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story, and Saoirse Ronan in Little Women

Paramount Pictures

Why he should have been nominated: "He was perfect in Rocketman. He was so charismatic and vulnerable and made Elton a full-fledged character, rather than just doing a really good impression like some actors in other biopics who I won't name...and he sang EVERY SONG! COME ON!" —reallywittyusername

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actor instead: Joaquin Phoenix* in Joker, Adam Driver in Marriage Story, Antonio Banderas in Pain and Glory, Jonathan Pryce in The Two Popes, and Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Netflix

Why she should have been nominated: “This might be one of the biggest snubs of the 2022 Oscars, to be honest. Ruth’s performance in Passing – opposite Tessa Thompson – was simply exquisite, and she gave one of the most underrated performances of the year. In general, I feel like Passing got lost in the award season shuffle, and it’s such a shame.” —noradominick

Oscars / @theacademy / Twitter: @TheAcademy

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress instead: Jessie Buckley in The Lost Daughter, Ariana DeBose in West Side Story, Judi Dench in Belfast, Kirsten Dunst in The Power of the Dog, and Aunjanue Ellis in King Richard

20th Century Fox

Why she should have been nominated: "Honestly, that short scene with her bathroom speech is the only reason I need to give. She was absolutely incredible in the movie." —laurengarafano

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actress instead: Emma Stone* in La La Land, Isabelle Huppert in Elle, Meryl Streep in Florence Foster Jenkins, Natalie Portman in Jackie, and Ruth Negga in Loving

20th Century Fox

Why he should have been nominated: "Hugh Jackman in Logan is easily a superhero performance that's worthy of an award. I don’t cry at movies, but this one got to me. So well-acted by all, but especially by him. He was tough and gritty and sincere, all at the same time." —anda_panda

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actor instead: Gary Oldman* in Darkest Hour, Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out, Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread, Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq., and Timothée Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name

Disney

Why she should have been nominated: "Amy Adams perfectly pulled off an animated personality without being too over-the-top. She made a Disney princess come to life, and she found a way to be both silly and serious at the same time (also without being absurd or campy). She remained deadpan without downplaying any of the hilarity or ridiculousness that happened to and around her character, AND she sang everything herself. Leo DiCaprio could never!" —spenceralthouse

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actress instead: Marion Cotillard* in La Vie en Rose, Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Elliot Page in Juno, Julie Christie in Away From Her, and Laura Linney in The Savages

Film4

Why he should have been nominated: "It's such an uncomfortable movie to watch, but Michael Fassbender makes it worth it. Sex addiction isn’t something you see much in TV or film, but he plays the part just perfectly and even with a subtle self-loathing." —snmurphy5000

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actor instead: Jean Dujardin* in The Artist, Demián Bichir in A Better Life, Brad Pitt in Moneyball, Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and George Clooney in The Descendants

STXfilms

Why she should have been nominated: "She was robbed. I heard so much about how wonderful she was and I was finally able to see it for myself and was absolutely blown away. Every single fiber of her being was in that character. I was SHOCKED that she didn't even get nominated." —j4580

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress instead: Laura Dern* in Marriage Story, Kathy Bates in Richard Jewell, Florence Pugh in Little Women, Margot Robbie in Bombshell, and Scarlett Johansson in Jojo Rabbit

Focus Features

Why she should have been nominated: “I honestly don’t know how you watch Belfast and think Caitriona doesn’t deserve an Oscar nomination. She was brilliant as Mother and gave so much of her heart to the film. The scene where she finally begs her family to leave Belfast might be one of the best monologues of the 2022 film season.” —noradominick

Oscars / @theacademy / Twitter: @TheAcademy

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress instead: Jessie Buckley in The Lost Daughter, Ariana DeBose in West Side Story, Judi Dench in Belfast, Kirsten Dunst in The Power of the Dog, and Aunjanue Ellis in King Richard

Entertainment One

Why he should have been nominated: "Even though there wasn't much dialogue in the film, his performance was still astounding. He should've gotten an Oscar just for the physicality of the role alone. He really brought the character to life, not to mention the months of planning and training that went into the scenes. He had to memorize every action, step by step, and focus on giving an emotional performance. He deserved at least a nomination." —z92

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actor instead: Joaquin Phoenix* in Joker, Adam Driver in Marriage Story, Antonio Banderas in Pain and Glory, Jonathan Pryce in The Two Popes, and Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

LuckyChap Entertainment

Why he should have been nominated: "How did you not add Sebastian Stan to this list for his performance in I, Tonya? He's one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. He's outstanding and embodies every character with such passion and commitment, especially for this performance." —n4525

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Sam Rockwell* in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Richard Jenkins in The Shape of Water, Christopher Plummer in All the Money in the World, Willem Dafoe in The Florida Project, and Woody Harrelson in Three Billboards

Universal Pictures

Why she should have been nominated: "She conveyed such an array of emotions in that movie, and she pulled it off so naturally. I really can’t picture anyone else as Betty/Diane, and that's the sign of someone who should get nominated." —hcat33

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actress instead: Halle Berry* in Monster's Ball, Judi Dench in Iris, Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge!, Renée Zellweger in Bridget Jones's Diary, and Sissy Spacek in In the Bedroom

Columbia Pictures

Why he should have been nominated: "He gave me chills and freaked me out as the villain. His monologue about the rats on the island (and his speech to M about how he was tortured) completely won me over. Those scenes prove how amazing his performance was." —generalhux

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Christoph Waltz* in Django Unchained, Alan Arkin in Argo, Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Master, Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook, and Tommy Lee Jones in Lincoln

A24

Why he should have been nominated: "It's tragic that Trevante Rhodes got snubbed. His restrained and heartbreaking performance was incredible and truly helped make Moonlight what it was." —hemmannm

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Mahershala Ali* in Moonlight, Jeff Bridges in Hell or High Water, Dev Patel in Lion, Lucas Hedges in Manchester by the Sea, and Michael Shannon in Nocturnal Animals

A24

Why she should have been nominated: "Toni Collette's performance was so engaging and disturbing! That iconic speech at the dinner table gave me chills. I still watch that movie just to watch her do her thing." —jehuffman and ashleighb421

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actress instead: Olivia Colman* in The Favourite, Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born, Yalitza Aparicio in Roma, Glenn Close in The Wife, and Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me?

CBS Films

Why he should have been nominated: "His acting was brilliant, and his singing was sublime. His performance was real and quiet and devastating, and I can't believe he wasn’t nominated for it." —slyghost86

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actor instead: Matthew McConaughey* in Dallas Buyers Club, Bruce Dern in Nebraska, Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave, Christian Bale in American Hustle, and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street

New Line Cinema

Why he should have been nominated: "He was so good and perfectly captured the character's inner turmoil. The fact that it was a motion-capture performance should not have kept him from getting a nod. He was on set almost the entire time, and the only thing about his performance that was not him was Gollum's physical appearance. He did everything else: the voice, the posture, the expressions. The scene when Gollum and Smeagol have a back-to-back conversation in the dark should have netted him the nomination on its own." —femkat

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Chris Cooper* in Adaptation, Christopher Walken in Catch Me If You Can, Ed Harris in The Hours, John C. Reilly in Chicago, and Paul Newman in Road to Perdition

Paramount Pictures

Why she should have been nominated: "The movie itself is an excellent concept, and it's heightened even more by the actors. Emily Blunt really blew me away, though. She did an extraordinary job of capturing the fear and determination to protect her kids that a mother would feel in that situation. And that bathtub scene and that scream??? Enough said." —hawkeyefan0215

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress instead: Regina King* in If Beale Street Could Talk, Amy Adams in Vice, Emma Stone in The Favourite, Marina de Tavira in Roma, and Rachel Weisz in The Favourite

Blumhouse Productions

Why he should have been nominated: "James McAvoy flawlessly played 24 different personalities, all without making a joke out of dissociative identity disorder. He was incredible. The movies may not have been 'Oscarworthy,' but his performance should have been recognized for sure." —brilynmit and mlb73

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actor instead: Casey Affleck* in Manchester by the Sea, Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge, Denzel Washington in Fences, Ryan Gosling in La La Land, and Viggo Mortensen in Captain Fantastic

Marvel

Why he should have been nominated: "Robert Downey Jr. pulled off a spectacular and heart-wrenching performance in a movie that had wildly high expectations. His performance was emotional and raw (especially for a superhero movie), but he was still able to maintain that trademark Tony Stark wit." —campbells4d

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Brad Pitt* in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Anthony Hopkins in The Two Popes, Al Pacino in The Irishman, Joe Pesci in The Irishman, and Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Sony Pictures Releasing

Why he should have been nominated: "Andrew Garfield was absolutely phenomenal in The Social Network, and his 'Lawyer up' scene is the best one in the entire movie. He was charismatic and believable, and it was such an emotional and raw performance. I remember when I first watched it, I replayed that scene over and over again. His performance still holds up." —emariasheldon

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Christian Bale* in The Fighter, Jeremy Renner in The Town, Geoffrey Rush in The King's Speech, John Hawkes in Winter's Bone, and Mark Ruffalo in The Kids Are All Right

A24

Why he should have been nominated: "Jacob Tremblay was so incredible in that role! It was so demanding and intense, and it was especially impressive for him to pull it all off at such a young age." —vickyyyyy01

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Mark Rylance* in Bridge of Spies, Christian Bale in The Big Short, Mark Ruffalo in Spotlight, Sylvester Stallone in Creed, and Tom Hardy in The Revenant

Sony Pictures Classics

Why he should have been nominated: "His performance was so natural and perfect. No other actor could have pulled off that level of compassion, love, and empathy. Timothée Chalamet captured everyone's heart in two hours, but Michael only needed five minutes." —nonexistant_knight

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Sam Rockwell* in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Richard Jenkins in The Shape of Water, Christopher Plummer in All the Money in the World, Willem Dafoe in The Florida Project, and Woody Harrelson in Three Billboards

Cinedigm

Why she should have been nominated: "This was such a phenomenal film that paved the way for so many others, including the entire cast (Rami Malek, Stephanie Beatriz, Kaitlyn Dever, and Lakeith Stanfield), who are all super famous and adored now. Brie Larson was especially good in this film and was able to subtly peel back each layer for the audience. Her character dealt with grief, depression, anxiety, and isolation, all while trying to help everyone else." —Madeline Lauzon

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actress instead: Cate Blanchett* in Blue Jasmine, Judi Dench in Philomena, Amy Adams in American Hustle, Meryl Streep in August: Osage County, and Sandra Bullock in Gravity

FilmDistrict

Why he should have been nominated: "Before this movie came out, I wasn’t a huge Ryan Gosling fan because I always associated him with cheesy rom-coms. This movie alone doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, but Ryan wasn’t even nominated for any of the big awards. He was robbed IMO!" —mjohnson8642

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actor instead: Jean Dujardin* in The Artist, Demián Bichir in A Better Life, Brad Pitt in Moneyball, Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and George Clooney in The Descendants

Universal Pictures

Why he should have been nominated: "While his performance in Black Panther was phenomenal, his role as James Brown was hands-down amazing and really encompassed who James Brown was. I was shocked that he didn’t even get an Academy Award nomination for it." —aselaleek

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Lead Actor instead: Eddie Redmayne* in The Theory of Everything, Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game, Bradley Cooper in American Sniper, Michael Keaton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), and Steve Carell in Foxcatcher

Warner Bros. Pictures

Why he should have been nominated: "He was fantastic in every single movie in the franchise, but a Supporting Actor nod for the final movie would have been a nice way to honor his entire career, which the Oscars often do. He gave the character so much more than met the eye, and I truly don’t think there was another actor who could have played Snape as well as he did. He added so much of his own touch to it, and he was absolutely brilliant in the films." —grumpyscissors88

ABC

Everyone who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor instead: Christopher Plummer* in The Beginners, Kenneth Branagh in My Week With Marilyn, Jonah Hill in Moneyball, Max von Sydow in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and Nick Nolte in Warrior