The Academy Awards have recognized many talented filmmakers over the years, but some of the most respected and venerated directors have gone unnoticed in the Best Director category. Despite their impressive careers, these filmmakers have been snubbed by the Academy, leaving many to wonder when they will receive the recognition they deserve. Quentin Tarantino, a master of unconventional storytelling, has been nominated three times for his innovative films, including Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but has yet to claim a directing Oscar.
Jordan Peele, a pioneering force in contemporary horror, has made a name for himself with his critically-acclaimed films Get Out and Us, but has never received a Best Director nomination. Stanley Kubrick, widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in history, received four nominations for his work on Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, and Barry Lyndon, but lost each time, leaving him without a competitive Oscar in the Best Director category.
Céline Sciamma, a leading figure in European cinema, has never been nominated for an Oscar despite her critically-acclaimed films Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Petite Maman. The Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, known for his iconic thrillers like Rebecca and Psycho, never won a competitive Oscar in the Best Director category, receiving five nominations but losing each time.
Jordan Peele (Via Jordan Peele/Twitter)
Ingmar Bergman, a leading filmmaker of the 20th century, known for his iconic films like The Seventh Seal and Persona, never won a competitive Oscar in the Best Director category, receiving nine nominations but losing each time. Ridley Scott, a renowned director known for his work on Alien and Blade Runner, has only received three Best Director nominations without winning, with his most recent nomination being for Gladiator in 2001.
Nora Ephron, a beloved director known for her romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, never received an Oscar nomination for her directorial abilities, despite her critically-acclaimed screenplays for Silkwood, When Harry Met Sally…, and Sleepless in Seattle. Spike Lee, a legendary director known for his groundbreaking films like Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X, has only received one Best Director nomination, winning for BlacKkKlansman, and is still seeking his competitive Oscar.
Agnès Varda, a crucial figure in the French New Wave era, known for her iconic films like Cléo from 5 to 7 and Faces Places, never received a competitive Oscar nomination for her directing abilities, despite her contributions to the film industry being recognized with an Honorary Academy Award in 2018. These directors have all made significant contributions to cinema, but the Academy has yet to recognize them in the Best Director competition, leaving many to wonder when they will finally receive the recognition they deserve.
