Skip To Content
BuzzFeed Homepage
Sign In
Search BuzzFeed

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

    James McAvoy played 24 personalities in Split and deserved an Oscar, tbh!

    Spencer Althouse
    by Spencer Althouse

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which actors delivered such good performances in movies but somehow weren't nominated for Oscars. Here are the wild results.

    1. Taron Egerton in Rocketman (2019)

    The transition scene where Elton overdoses and then immediately performs onstage
    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

    Who was nominated for (and who won*) Best 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

    2. Florence Pugh in Midsommar (2019)

    Dani crying on the floor with the rest of the woman in her room
    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

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    3. Hugh Jackman in Logan (2017)

    Logan saying his final words before dying outside
    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

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    4. Taraji P. Henson in Hidden Figures (2016)

    Taraji's character, soaking wet, talking about inequalities in the work place
    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

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    5. Javier Bardem in Skyfall (2012)

    Bardem's character talking to a tied-up James Bond
    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

    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

    6. Sebastian Stan in I, Tonya (2017)

    Sebastian Stan and Margot Robbie's characters talking to each other through a door
    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

    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 Outside Ebbing, Missouri

    7. Amy Adams in Enchanted (2007)

    Amy Adams' character getting excited in the apartment in "Enchanted"
    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

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    8. Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems (2019)

    Adam Sandler's character with sunglasses on in his jewelry store
    A24

    Why he should have been nominated: "I never would have believed he had such an ability to act in a dramatic, suspenseful movie if I hadn't seen it myself. I really feel that he was robbed of a nomination for this movie. No one else could have played that character like him." —carya84

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    9. Michael Fassbender in Shame (2011)

    Fassbender's character running in the rain and crying
    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

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    10. Jennifer Lopez in Hustlers (2019)

    Jennifer Lopez's character talking in the strip club
    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

    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

    11. Trevante Rhodes in Moonlight (2016)

    Trevante's character talking to his onscreen mother outside in "Moonlight"
    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

    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

    12. Naomi Watts in Mulholland Drive (2001)

    The ending of the movie with Watts' character in the house, alone, sitting on the couch
    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

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    13. Cynthia Erivo in Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

    Cynthia Erivo's character singing to herself while Dakota Johnson's character watches behind a two-way mirror
    20th Century Fox

    Why she should have been nominated: "There’s a four-minute scene in the movie when Erivo sings 'You Can’t Hurry Love' – her singing alone is worthy of an Oscar, but when you pair it with her profoundly talented acting, she's simply captivating. I still can't believe she wasn't recognized for that performance." —christiaanl3

    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

    14. Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis (2014)

    Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan chatting in a café
    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

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    15. Awkwafina in The Farewell (2019)

    Awkwafina in different scenes throughout the movie
    A24

    Why she should have been nominated: "Awkwafina won the Golden Globe that year for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy, but her performance was overlooked by the Oscars. In The Farewell, she really proved to everyone that she's a well-rounded actress." —nonexistant_knight

    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

    16. Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe in The Lighthouse (2019)

    A black-and-white scene of the two characters arguing in the lighthouse's kitchen
    A24

    Why they should have been nominated: "Like, holy sh*t, they were absolutely phenomenal in that movie. Their descent into madness, Dafoe's chaotic energy, Pattinson's frustration and lunacy — they were just spectacular. They worked so well off one another." —niallh459

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    17. Tessa Thompson in Little Woods (2018)

    Tessa Thompson and Lily James' characters talking
    Neon

    Why she should have been nominated: "She really carried the entire movie, and I was just so impressed with her performance opposite Lily James. She’s so charismatic, and in a pretty tense film she’s still a standout."

    —noradominick

    Who was nominated for Best 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?

    18. Andy Serkis in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

    Gollum and Smeagol talking back to each other
    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

    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

    19. And James McAvoy in Split (2016)

    A scene in the basement when McAvoy turns into several of his personalities
    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

    Who was nominated for Best 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

    Did your favorite performance not make the list? Tell us about it in the comments below!

    Note: Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.