Nope, Tom Cruise, The Woman King Among Most-Derided Oscar Snubs

Another year of Oscar nominations, another outcry over the movies and performances that weren’t nominated.

Though there’s plenty that’s being celebrated on social media — like Everything Everywhere All At Once’s dominating 11 nominations and Angela Bassett being the first actor to be nominated for a performance in an MCU film — there’s also quite a bit of fury over the snubs of movies like Jordan Peele’s Nope, which was shut out despite critical acclaim. And while the Academy historically hasn’t been eager to reward horror, Peele has gotten Oscar recognition in the past with Get Out.

I’ll permit myself one Oscars ? take: it’s a bit surreal that the most visually creative American pic of the year, made by an Oscar-winning director and featuring huge stars, was never even mentioned. But, given what it says about the industry and its history, also unsurprising! pic.twitter.com/q2rsH5BRGw

— Ashley Clark (@_Ash_Clark) January 24, 2023

Nope would be getting a Best Picture nomination if voters were in their right minds. pic.twitter.com/VdY3YktudO

— Richard Newby – Vote Blue and Save Yourselves (@RICHARDLNEWBY) January 23, 2023

It also underscores a lack of Black filmmakers and performers in this year’s nominations, with no women being nominated in the director category. In particular, the critically acclaimed The Woman King was shut out entirely, where many were predicting that Viola Davis would at least be recognized for her performance.

#TheWomanKing had everything the oscars generally go for: it’s a period film, has tons of battle scenes and enslaved characters

But it was co-produced by a black woman, stars black women, was directed by a black woman. So.#OscarNominations2023

— Candice Frederick (@ReelTalker) January 24, 2023

The Woman King shut out from awards season is truly a sight to behold. The film, director & actors gave us some of the best work this year.

— brittany packnett cunningham. (@MsPackyetti) January 24, 2023

And then there were some category head-scratchers: one of the year’s biggest hits, Top Gun: Maverick, scored six nominations, including a coveted best picture nod. But star Tom Cruise didn’t get the same love from the Academy, nor did director Joseph Kosinski.

This is spot on. Actually more than and Oscar nod, it’s time to stop being snooty and acknowledge that what @TomCruise has done for cinema especially in recent years is beyond award worthy – his commitment to making blockbusters, and employing thousands while doing it, is heroic. https://t.co/bPl5I2Jj7a

— Simon Boyle (@SimonBoyle87) January 24, 2023

How do you leave out James Cameron AND Joseph Kosinski from Best Director?? Both made all-time sequels that pushed the boundaries of their art in radically different ways. Come on, #oscars that was a layup.

— GORT E. HOWE (@OhMaseyMase) January 24, 2023

That director category became one of the more contentious ones after nominations were announced. Despite getting a best picture nod for Avatar: The Way of Water, James Cameron wasn’t nominated in the director category.

And in addition to the lack of women, others were frustrated to see RRR director S.S. Rajamouli left out. The movie also got snubbed in best picture, despite its critical acclaim and passionate fanbase, although it did get nominated in best original song for Naatu Naatu.

No Oscar nomination for RRR in major categories. pic.twitter.com/KdL6M4CiRn

— Mystic Tamil (@Mystic_Tamil) January 24, 2023

laughing myself into a hernia that avatar got nominated for best picture and decision to leave, RRR, and nope got dust the oscars are a joke

— regular meghan 나영지 ? (@ruemcclammyhand) January 24, 2023

And, as the above tweet points out, there were plenty who wanted to see more love for South Korean film Decision to Leave.

Terrible decision to leave out DECISION TO LEAVE. #Oscars2023

— Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) January 24, 2023

Park Chan-wook’s DECISION TO LEAVE getting snubbed at the Oscars across the board, and especially in Best International Feature, is really frustrating. Just a great work of art on every conceivable front. pic.twitter.com/CURgTEPmdm

— Isaac Feldberg (@isaacfeldberg) January 24, 2023

What do you think is the biggest snub in this year’s Oscar nominations? Let us know in the comments below.

Alex Stedman is a News Editor for IGN, leading entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.