The 1996   Academy Awards abide by films released the previous year . 1995 gave audiences films likeClueless , Toy Story , andBefore Sunrise , none of which were honored in the Best Picture family   at the 63rd Academy Awards .   Instead , the   movies that were ease up the prestigious nomination   wereBraveheart , which won the prize , Apollo 13 , Il Postino , Babe , andSense and Sensibility .

At the time , the Academy was only allow to nominate five films for Best Picture , so the Academy voters clearly , may have missed a few deserving titles . However ,   there are two nominees that should have been supersede with something better and , arguably , more memorable .

Should Have Been: The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspectsis a mystery thriller , directed by Bryan Singer , and starring   Stephen Baldwin , Gabriel Byrne , Benicio del Toro , Kevin Pollak , Chazz Palminteri , Pete Postlethwaite , and Kevin Spacey , who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his workplace in this motion picture . The film also received a nomination for Best Screenplay , but was bequeath out of the other major categories , most likely due to its mixed critical reviews , despite being considereda chef-d’oeuvre in the same league asThe Departed .

Should Have Been: Kids

Kidsis a coming - of - years striking feature film starring   Leo Fitzpatrick , Justin Pierce , Chloë Sevigny , andRosario Dawson , who all made their photographic film unveiling in this lineament . Upon the film ’s release , a mass of controversy brew . Harsh critics of the moving-picture show call into question it ’s provocative storylines and claimed the movie had more interest in electrical shock note value than artistic merit , while critics like Roger Ebert praised the film for raise awareness about sex in the adolescent community . Still , the film received little to no praise from the Academy or any other awards voters .

Should Have Been: Before Sunrise

Richard Linklater’sBefore Sunrise , stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as two people who converge by chance on a geartrain and locomotion to Vienna where they drop the daytime talking and falling in love .

This independent love history was praise for its performances and holds a 100 % blessing military rating on Rotten Tomatoes , but had no traction during award time of year the year it was eligible , which scandalise moving-picture show - goers and critics who felt this film was one of the salutary of the yr .

Nominated: Braveheart

This historical fable war dramatic play was praised upon its release for both its performances and the capital punishment of the film as a whole . The motion picture , starring Mel Gibson , who also lead and co - raise it , focuses on Gibson ’s graphic symbol , William Wallace , a thirteenth century Scottish warrior . Given how problematicMel Gibsonhas become over the class , the option to give his undertaking so many awarding and fete his work may not have aged very well .

Should Have Been: Casino

Casinois a offense play , organize by Martin Scorsese and asterisk Robert DeNiro , Sharon Stone , and Joe Pesci . The plastic film is base on a novel called " cassino : Love and Honor in Las Vegas " , and the book ’s author ,   Nicholas Pileggi , co - wrote the film with Scorsese .

The cinema was both a box office and critical success and was constitute for a handful of awards , but only received one nominating address from the Academy and that was in the Best Actress category .

Should Have Been: Waterworld

At the meter of its product , Waterworldwas the most expensive flick ever made . The heroic project alone drew movie - goers to theaters and was praise by critics . The performances may have fell short , butWaterworldas a wholewas s dynamic and visually sensational and unlike anything audience had ever seen . It ’s understandable that it was lead out of most major category at the Oscars in the year it was eligible , but it should have receive a Best Picture nomination because of its unbelievable execution and production as a whole .

Should Have Been: The Bridges Of Madison County

This dearest story is based on the novel by the same name by Robert James Waller . The film , directed by and asterisk Clint Eastwood , opened to audiences with a raft of praise from both critics and film - goer .

The moving-picture show also stars Meryl Streep , who receive a Best Actress nomination for her oeuvre in the film . To everyone ’s surprise , the Academy did n’t nominate one of their front-runner , Clint Eastwood in any major category , including Best Picture .

Nominated: Babe

At the meter of its sack , Babeseemed revolutionary in its execution and story . It was a massive success both at the box office and in decisive review and gain a lot of attention and traction during award season . Theanimal filmabout a pig want to be a shepherd dog , received seven Academy Award nominations , including one for Best Picture . As this pic ’s much - less successful continuation prove , the novelty of this flick wore off fairly quickly and advances in technology have made it so a moving-picture show like this would probably not be considered for the in demand award today .

Should Have Been: A Little Princess

A Little Princessis a kinsfolk feature film about a young young woman forced into a living of servitude in New York City after her father is obliterate in combat . The film is direct by Academy favoriteAlfonso Cuarón , who at the prison term this film was released , was still reasonably an unknown director to American audience and Academy elector . free-base alone on what Cuarón has go on to create , this motion picture definitely deserved a nomination in the Best Picture category .

Should Have Been: Jumanji

Jumanjiset a new stripe for adventure film with it ’s incredible execution , difficult production , and sensational ocular effects . The film also shoot a line some incredible natural endowment with public presentation bythe great Robin Williamsand a young Kirsten Dunst . The family friendly adventure film was well receive by critic and at the box offices , but was snub during prize time of year , earn zero nominations by the majority of award express .

NEXT : Oscars 1991 : 2 Best Picture Nominees That Did n’t Deserve It ( & 8 That Did )

A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

Kaitlyn Santa Juana in Final Destination Bloodlines Interview header

1996 best picture featured

The cast in a lineup in Usual Suspects

Rosario Dawson as Ruby and Chloe Sevigny as Jennie in Kids

ethan hawke and julie delpy in before sunrise

mel gibson in braveheart

Joe Pesci and Frank Vincent in Casino

A still from Waterworld

bridges of madison county’s merly streep and clint eastwood

Babe the Pig and his owner from the 1995 film

Liesel Matthews in A Little Princess

Main Cast In Jumanji (1995)

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