The Academy Awards have long been a source of celebration and controversy. While many Best Picture nominees are universally admired, some have sparked backlash, polarizing critics, audiences, and even Oscar voters. These films remain a reminder that Oscar gold doesn’t always glitter for everyone. Whether you love them or loathe them, their legacies are undeniable. From accusations of mediocrity to charges of political pandering, here are 20 of the most controversial and divisive Best Picture nominees, along with their history, plots, and reasons for their infamy.
Crash (2005)
Plot: An interwoven narrative about race relations in Los Angeles.
Why It’s Hated: Often criticized for being heavy-handed and simplistic in its portrayal of racism, Crash won Best Picture over Brokeback Mountain, a move many deemed an egregious snub.
Fun Fact: Even its director, Paul Haggis, later admitted it may not have deserved to win.
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Green Book (2018)
Plot: A road trip between a white chauffeur and a Black musician in the racially segregated South.
Why It’s Hated: Accused of presenting a “white savior” narrative and oversimplifying the complexities of racism. Many felt it sidelined the perspective of Mahershala Ali’s character.
Fun Fact: It sparked debates over historical inaccuracies and the family of musician Don Shirley publicly criticized the film.
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Forrest Gump (1994)
Plot: A simple man unwittingly influences significant events in American history.
Why It’s Hated: Detractors argue that its feel-good message glosses over the political and social turmoil of the times. Its win over Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption remains contentious.
Fun Fact: Despite its detractors, it remains a cultural touchstone with iconic quotes like “Life is like a box of chocolates.”
© Paramount Pictures Photographer: Phillip Caruso
The Artist (2011)
Plot: A silent film star struggles to adapt to the talkies.
Why It’s Hated: Some viewed it as lightweight and overly nostalgic, undeserving of Best Picture in a year of stronger contenders like The Tree of Life.
Fun Fact: It was the first silent film to win Best Picture since Wings (1927).
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Avatar (2009)
Plot: A paraplegic Marine infiltrates an alien species but ends up fighting to protect them.
Why It’s Hated: Critics argue its plot is derivative (compared to Pocahontas and Dances with Wolves) and that its success relied too heavily on special effects.
Fun Fact: Despite the criticism, it remains the highest-grossing film of all time.
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The King’s Speech (2010)
Plot: King George VI overcomes his speech impediment with the help of a therapist.
Why It’s Hated: Some saw it as a safe, formulaic “Oscar bait” film, especially when it triumphed over the more innovative The Social Network.
Fun Fact: The movie’s success reportedly inspired a surge in speech therapy awareness.
MUBI
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)
Plot: A young boy grapples with the loss of his father during 9/11.
Why It’s Hated: Many found it emotionally manipulative and schmaltzy, with critics baffled by its inclusion in the Best Picture race.
Fun Fact: It holds a mere 45% approval on Rotten Tomatoes—the second-lowest of any Best Picture nominee in history.
François Duhamel | © 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Plot: A biopic chronicling Freddie Mercury and Queen’s rise to fame.
Why It’s Hated: Its historical inaccuracies and sanitized portrayal of Mercury’s life drew ire, as did its choppy editing.
Fun Fact: Despite criticism, Rami Malek’s performance as Mercury earned universal acclaim.
TM & © 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/ Alex Bailey
Out of Africa (1985)
Plot: A Danish woman’s life in colonial Kenya and her romance with a free-spirited hunter.
Why It’s Hated: Considered slow and overly long, its win over The Color Purple fueled accusations of the Academy favoring “safe” choices.
Fun Fact: Meryl Streep learned Danish accents specifically for her role.
TCM
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Plot: The story of two British athletes competing in the 1924 Olympics.
Why It’s Hated: Detractors found it dull and uninspired, with many preferring the grittier Reds.
Fun Fact: Its iconic Vangelis score remains more famous than the film itself.
IMDb
Joker (2019)
Plot: An origin story for Batman’s infamous villain, set in a grim, gritty Gotham City.
Why It’s Hated: Critics accused it of glorifying violence and incel culture, while others found it derivative of Taxi Driver.
Fun Fact: Despite controversy, Joaquin Phoenix’s performance earned universal praise.
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The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Plot: A behind-the-scenes look at a traveling circus.
Why It’s Hated: Often derided as one of the worst Best Picture winners, it’s seen as a generic melodrama that beat worthier contenders like High Noon.
Fun Fact: It’s one of the few Best Picture winners with a 50% Rotten Tomatoes score.
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Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Plot: A fictionalized romance between William Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps, inspiring Romeo and Juliet.
Why It’s Hated: Its win over Saving Private Ryan was viewed as a result of aggressive Oscar campaigning by producer Harvey Weinstein.
Fun Fact: The film inspired a stage adaptation years later.
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The Reader (2008)
Plot: A post-World War II German man reflects on his relationship with an older woman who harbored dark secrets.
Why It’s Hated: Seen as dull and morally ambiguous, many felt it didn’t belong in the race over The Dark Knight.
Fun Fact: Kate Winslet’s performance was a major highlight, earning her an Oscar.
Netflix
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Plot: The life of mathematician John Nash and his struggle with schizophrenia.
Why It’s Hated: Some criticized it for glossing over darker aspects of Nash’s life, such as alleged antisemitism.
Fun Fact: Jennifer Connelly won Best Supporting Actress for her role.
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The Post (2017)
Plot: The Washington Post’s publication of the Pentagon Papers.
Why It’s Hated: Critics dismissed it as uninspired Oscar bait, despite its star-studded cast.
Fun Fact: Meryl Streep earned her 21st Oscar nomination for this film.
IMDb
Les Misérables (2012)
Plot: An adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel set during 19th-century France.
Why It’s Hated: The overuse of close-up shots and Russell Crowe’s singing drew mockery.
Fun Fact: Anne Hathaway’s “I Dreamed a Dream” performance won her an Oscar.
© 2012 Universal Studios
The Cider House Rules (1999)
Plot: A young man leaves his orphanage to find himself during World War II.
Why It’s Hated: Some found its moral messaging overly preachy.
Fun Fact: Michael Caine’s performance was widely praised.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Plot: The trial of anti-Vietnam War protesters after the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Why It’s Hated: Accused of historical inaccuracies and overly “Hollywood” dramatization.
Fun Fact: Aaron Sorkin’s sharp script was both loved and loathed.
NICO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Plot: A tense drama about toxic masculinity set in 1920s Montana.
Why It’s Hated: Some audiences found it slow and inaccessible, despite critical acclaim.
Fun Fact: Director Jane Campion became the third woman to win Best Director.
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