5 Best Films That Never Won An Oscar

Have you ever watched a movie that was so good you’d swear it would win an Oscar? Did it? Some of the most cherished cinema classics and modern masterworks never had a single Oscar win -- and in some cases, not even a nod. Here’s a look at the five best films that never won an Academy Award.

1. Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

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Where the Wild Things Are is a seminal film for director Spike Jonze. Aside from Being John Malkovich (1999), up until 2009, Jonze hadn't directed any other major motion picture. His career mostly orbits around documentaries and shorts. He's also a well-respected music video director, which is how he had the connections to score the awesome soundtrack for the film.

Where the Wild Things Are cinematographically captures the youth and whimsy of a generationally beloved story by Maurice Sendak. The production and set design alone were magical enough to receive recognition by the Art Directors Guild. Sadly, the film wasn't nominated for an Academy Award in any category. However, this year could be a big year for Jonze and his film Her, which received an Oscar nomination for 2014 Best Picture.

2. I Heart Huckabees (2004)

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David O. Russell nailed it with his recent Academy Award winning film Silver Linings Playbook, and he aims to do the same with American Hustle, which is up for 2014 Best Picture. But before the hype, Russell was certainly underrated. While I Heart Huckabees did receive recognition by the indie scene, it wasn't even nominated for an Oscar. Maybe his recent luck is in his actors (re: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence), but Huckabees boasted an Academy Award winning cast of its own and the same Russell-esque eccentricities.

3. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

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Leonardo DiCaprio was recently dubbed the most snubbed by the Academy. That's why it may come as no surprise that he was nominated for his heart-wrenching portrayal of a mentally challenged teen in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, but he didn't win – and neither did the film. In fact, it wasn't nominated for any other awards, despite the film's multi-star cast that included Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, and John C. Reilly. DiCaprio will have another shot at the honor with his nomination for 2014 Best Actor for The Wolf of Wall Street.

4. Psycho (1960)

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Psycho is Alfred Hitchcock's most well-known and groundbreaking film. Surprisingly, though, the film and Hitchcock himself never won an Academy Award. Hitchcock was nominated for Best Director in 1961, but Psycho didn't take home a single Oscar. If you still can't believe this classic didn't make the cut, then maybe it's time to learn how TV can be good for you and your Psycho obsession. Hitchcock's award-worthy movie is re-imagined as a prequel television series, Bates Motel, about Norman Bates as a teenager -- and critics are still raving mad about it.

5. Children of Men (2006)

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Children of Men is one of the more shocking snubs in Oscar history, especially since it was directed by the creator of this year's breakout film: Gravity by Alfonso Cuarón. Children of Men has all the elements you'd expect from an Academy Award winning movie, including a brilliant story armed with social commentary. The cinematography and action scenes are breathtaking too. Although the film was nominated for Best Achievement in Film Editing -- likely for its revolutionary one-take action sequence complete with gunfire and explosions -- it didn't win.

Cuarón's Gravity, much like Children of Men, was acclaimed by fans and critics alike. With the 2014 Academy Awards right around the corner, viewers are anxiously awaiting the outcome of Gravity's Best Picture nomination, as well as Sandra Bullock's nomination for Best Actress.

For every Academy member there's at least 100 armchair critics ready to spring to action with an opinion. Whether you're an extreme movie buff or just a good old-fashioned fan of films, you likely have a list of your own favorites when it comes time for the Oscars. What movies would you have liked to see nominated for the 2014 Academy Awards? Share your picks in the comments below."