To say that a film wins one ( or more ) of the Big Five Academy Awards based only on its artistic and cinematic merit would be , to say the least , disingenuous . The first thing that get along to mind is the expulsion of films made by non - white , non - virile , non - LGBTQ+ individual ( with some exceptions , as is the norm ) , but there is also another issue . There are films that never seem to win ,   that for all intent and purposes are Oscar - desirable , but never get there … because they are genre films .

Horror , fantasy , andsci - fi moving picture will rarely be nominatedfor Oscars , much less receive one of the Big Five Oscar awards , being more likely to receive Best Visual Effects or Best Make - Up . Let ’s seem at 10 sci - fi films whose legacy is indisputable , but were snub at the Oscars .

Minority Report (2002)

Loosely ground upon Philip K. Dick ’s 1956 shortsighted story " The Minority Report , " this movie star Tom Cruise in one of his best performance and was one ofSpielberg ’s not bad accomplishments . However , the film was only nominated for Best Sound Editing and it did n’t even acquire .

It takes shoes mainly in Washington , D.C. and Northern Virginia during the year 2054 . PreCrime , a new experimental law division , captures criminals steer by foreknowledge afforded by psychic known as " precogs . " Chief of PreCrime , John Anderton ( Cruise ) , consider that the system is complete and the precogs can not foretell something that wo n’t happen … until he is accused of a pre - crime .

Jurassic Park (1993)

Based on Michael Crichton ’s novel , Jurassic Park , this motion-picture show was an absolute hit in its time , so much that it still spawns sequels . The film won Best Sound Effects Editing , Best Sound , and Best Visual Effects , but it was not put forward for anything else , although many felt it definitely would ’ve deserved Best Direction , at least .

The movie also should ’ve been recognized for its outstanding script : it tackle field of study of bioethics , nature vs man , and the exploitation of nature for earnings . The moving picture had better luck at the Saturn Awards , where it won four accolade and was appoint for seven more .

Gattaca (1997)

Although oft laud asone of the best sci - fi films of all clip , Gattacareceived only one nominating address ( Best Art Direction , today renamed Best Production Design ) and it did not win . However , this biopunk chef-d’oeuvre ismore relevant now than ever .

In a future where eugenics have taken over the world and likely infants are engineered to inherit the best genetic characteristic of their parent , Vincent Freeman ( Ethan Hawke ) , who was conceived naturally , struggles to press genetic dogmatism to fulfill his vision of becoming an astronaut . The film was a brilliant metaphor about man ' vain search for felicity in paragon - after all , " there is no gene for the human tone . "

Mad Max (1979)

The one that part it all : the first - everMad Maxfilm . Mad Max ’s legacy and influence in democratic culture are undeniable , but lamentably ( and infuriatingly ) the film was not nominated for any Academy Awards .

Granted it is Australian , but there is a story of strange film being name for Best Picture and Best Director , and there was always the Best International Feature Film family ( although they rarely grant an English - words plastic film ) . This movie pave the path for the future of dystopian and post - revelatory sci - fi cinema and created an iconic character in its protagonist , Max Rockatansky .

Brazil (1985)

Brazilis a beautiful , lamentable , haunting , and Orwellian piece of filmmaking . It received enthusiastic review all over and is considered one of thebest British filmsof all metre by various outlets .

Sam Lowry , a low - grade technician for a totalitarian , overly bureaucratic politics , endures a dull line of work and an even duller biography by stargaze that he is a quick warrior who rescue a damoiselle in distress . His routine is turned upside down when a minor mistake on an hitch warrant leads to the destruction by “ heighten interrogative ” of an innocuous man . Unfortunately , it was only nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Art Direction , winning neither .

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Unlike its herald , Star Wars : Episode IV – A New Hope , which was nominated for three Big Five Oscars and swiped almost all the expert ones , The Empire Strikes Backwas not nominated for any of the Big Five . It won Best Sound and Special Achievement for Best Visual Effects , and John Williams was nominate for Best Original Score , but that was pretty much it .

In the 2014Empiremagazine list , " The 301 Greatest Movies of All Time,“The Empire Strikes Backwasvoted by fans as the great celluloid ever made , render its lasting ethnic shock . The motion-picture show is frequently feature in 100 Best Movies of All Time lists . Nevertheless , the Academy did not recognize it in its own clip .

Alien (1979)

Ridley Scott’sAlienwas a pioneer for its shading of the sci - fi and repugnance musical genre . have a brilliant and determined female friend ( Sigourney Weaver as Warrant Officer Ripley ) , in a time when movies ( peculiarly musical genre films ) were hesitant to do so , it by all odds deserves its lasting legacy .

asunder from the outstanding direction and screenplay , what stood out was the elaborate and sinisterdesign of the Alien creatures by artist H. R. Giger . In cattiness of all this , the film was just nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects , which it received . It had more achiever at the BAFTAs and Saturn Awards .

Blade Runner (1982)

Another Philip K. Dick adjustment for the gravid screen , Blade Runnerhas become a point in time of quotation for sci - fi picture , and its intricate tale , acting , and sensational optic effects all contributed to its firm bequest .

Nevertheless , it received nominations only in the categories of Best Visual Effects and Best Art Direction , bring home the bacon neither . The Academy missed the prospect to present an impressive pic that blend elements of definitive Greek dramatic play , spiritual symbolism , and sci - fi root word like genetic engine room , together to create an unforgettable movie .

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

It seems foreign that 2001 ( the year ) was 19 years ago , but 33 years after the film was turn . What is even more peculiar , is that Stanley Kubrick never receive an Academy Award as a Director or for Best Picture in his entire career . The only Academy Award one of his films ever welcome was Best Visual Effects for2001 : A Space Odyssey .

In the 41stAcademy Awards , he was nominated for Best Director for2001 , but lost to Carol Reed’sOliver ! , which was an admirable film , but in hindsight , has definitely not become the ethnical milepost that this moving picture is . The picture was definitely not recognized for the masterpiece it is -a pioneer for its ideas , tale , and technicality .

The Matrix (1999)

It seems rather surprising when one is wait back at the history ofThe Matrixand how much it influenced ( and still influence ) the zeitgeist and the films that fall out it , but it was not make for any of the Big Five . It swiped almost all the technical Academy Awards ( e.g. dependable Sound and Best Visual Effects ) , but no actors northe Wachowskiswere propose at the Oscars .

That class ( the 72ndAcademy Awards , in the twelvemonth 2000)American Beautyswiped almost all the Big Five Awards . While certainly a keen and interesting cinema , it offer neither the scope , the innovation , nor the heavy theme thatThe Matrixbrought to the table .

NEXT:15 Mind - Boggling Sci - Fi Movies To check If You Like The Matrix

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