Sometimes a movie or artist becomes such an essential part of our lives, we can’t fathom a world where it is not considered a critically-acclaimed classic. Big snubs like “The Color Purple” and Denzel Washington in “Malcolm X” have become modern legends we talk about all the time. But there are plenty of other unexpected misses that might surprise you. Before you get invested in the 2024 Oscars, check out our roundup of Black artists and movies that should’ve won major awards, including Oscars.
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1982: Dreamgirls -The Tonys
So you had Dreamgirls nominated for Best Musical, but you decided to go with Nine instead? This is a case where the Broadway League gave Jennifer Holliday the award for Lead Actress in a Musical and figured they were done. I ask you, which show has stood the test of time more?
1986: The Color Purple - The Oscars
Eleven! That’s how many Oscars The Color Purple was nominated for. Zero! That’s how many it won. The Best Picture that year was Out of Africa, an extremely long, slow paced romantic drama starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. When was the last time someone started randomly quoting lines from Out of Africa to you?
1990: Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation - The Grammys
Hey kids, do you remember the pop group Fine Young Cannibals and their endlessly played hit “She Drives Me Crazy?” Now, do you remember Janet’s classic Rhythm Nation? It not only featured the hit title track, but also “Miss You Much;” “Escapade;” and “Alright.” Guess which one was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys? Really!?
1993: Denzel Washington - Malcolm X - The Oscars
Al Pacino is obviously one of the greatest actors of all-time. If the Academy wanted to honor him, they could have chosen any of his numerous memorable roles to reward. But even he would have to admit that Denzel Washington as Malcolm X is one of the best performances in the history of moving pictures. Come on, Scent of a Woman over Malcolm X!?
1994: Angela Bassett - What’s Love Got to Do with It - The Oscars
Holly Hunter is fantastic in “The Piano.” But it’s hard not to feel some type of way about Angela Bassett not winning Best Actress for her iconic, unforgettable performance as the legendary Tina Turner. She basically became Tina as she chronicled her rise to stardom, unimaginable trauma and courageous comeback to become even bigger. She could not have gone the places she did without Laurence Fishburne as Ike, but no one was beating Tom Hanks in “Philadelphia,” and rightfully so.
1995: Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction - The Oscars
It’s hard to argue against a legend like Martin Landau receiving his flowers, especially since he was so spectacular in “Ed Wood.” But Samuel L. Jackson’s performance in “Pulp Fiction” has become one of the most iconic, quoted characters in film history. He may not have a lot of screen time, but Jules is so unforgettable he became the star of the movie and made Jackson a superstar.
1997: Waiting to Exhale Soundtrack - The Grammys
A soundtrack has never matched a movie better than Waiting to Exhale. This group of amazing artists put together a classic album that goes through every emotion involved in moving through the world as a Black woman, and it’s unfathomable that it lost Album of the Year to Celine Dion’s Falling Into You. By the way, The Fugees’ The Score was also nominated that year.
2006: Lackawanna Blues - The Emmys
Thank goodness S. Epatha Merkerson won for Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie. However, the film didn’t win because the Television Academy couldn’t possibly not give the trophy to yet another star-studded drama about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
2006: The Wire - The Emmys
How in the name of Omar was The Wire never nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series!? In 2006 that honor went to Lost, which in hindsight seems extremely troubling.
2006: The Color Purple - The Tonys
Come on guys, Jersey Boys? How many times does this property have to be snubbed for some mediocre piece of fluff?
2007: “Listen” - Dreamgirls - The Oscars
Here’s the thing: Three different songs from Dreamgirls were nominated for Best Original Song. This likely split the vote, paving the way for Melissa Etheride’s “I Need to Wake Up” from An Inconvenient Truth to win. “Listen” was obviously the best choice, so this one still feels wrong.
2010: Gabourey Sidibe - Precious - The Oscars
This isn’t knock against Sandra Bullock. She was great in “The Blind Side.” But now that we know more about the real story of Michael Oher and the Tuohys, it feels a little weird to celebrate this movie. Plus, it feels like Gabourey Sidibe has never truly gotten her flowers for how amazing she is in “Precious.”
2010: “Almost There/Down in New Orleans” - The Princess and the Frog - The Oscars
Sometimes Hollywood just falls in love with a movie and trips all over itself throwing awards at it. This is what happened with Crazy Heart. It would’ve been really nice to see the spectacular music of Randy Newman and the flawless vocals of Anika Noni Rose recognized for bringing the game-changing Princess Tiana to life.
2017: Ruth Negga - Loving - The Oscars
If you’ve never seen the beautiful true story “Loving,” you should immediately add it to your watchlist. She plays Mildred Loving opposite Joel Edgerton’s Richard as they fight for their right to just be married. Her range is marvelous, as the emotional ride she takes you on is draining in the best possible way. Emma Stone is obviously an extraordinary talent, but in hindsight, “La La Land” is massively overrated.
2017: Beyoncé - Lemonade - The Grammys
Even Adele—who won Album of the Year for 25—knew Queen Bey’s Lemonade was an unparalleled classic.
2017: Denzel Washington - Fences - The Oscars
Honestly, we could make a case for Denzel to win every time he’s nominated, but losing to Casey Affleck seems particularly egregious. No offense, but he basically plays the same Massachusetts guy in every movie. What Denzel did in “Fences” was a masterclass and he should’ve received all the awards.
2019: Black Panther - The Oscars
Green Book? That’s what the Academy chose as Best Picture over the groundbreaking, history making work of art Black Panther. It’s like they thought they were doing something by choosing it, but completely missed the mark.
2023: Beyoncé - Renaissance - The Grammys
How in the world did Beyoncé make another instant classic, then somehow lose Album of the Year to yet another British pop star?
2023: Angela Bassett - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Oscars
Our Queen gave us everything in this performance and yet she still did not get her well-deserved flowers from the Motion Picture Academy. You just know they’re going to eventually give her a career achievement Oscar for a less important role.
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