Why does the Academy snub sci-Fi? A look at iconic science fiction films that went unrewarded

 At last evening's 97th Academy Awards, Dune: Part Two secured two Oscars: Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. While these awards recognize the film's technical excellence, they also highlight the Academy's historical tendency to limit recognition of science fiction (sci-fi) films to technical categories, often overlooking them in major awards such as Best Picture, Best Director, and acting categories.​

Historically, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has shown reluctance in honoring sci-fi films in major categories. Notable sci-fi classics like Blade Runner (1982) & Blade Runner 2049 (2018), The Matrix (1999), and Inception (2010) received acclaim for their groundbreaking visuals and storytelling but were largely confined to technical awards. For instance, The Matrix won four Oscars, all in technical categories, without nominations for Best Picture or Best Director. ​2018's Blade Runner 2049 won for Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography, but wasn't even nominated for Best Picture, nor Best Director.

A significant breakthrough occurred in 2023 when Everything Everywhere All at Once became the first sci-fi film to win Best Picture. How this movie and not Dune Part One won the Oscar for Best Movie, is beyond me. Nevertheless, this marked a departure from the Academy's traditional preferences, signaling a potential shift in recognizing the genre's broader contributions. ​

The Dune franchise, based on Frank Herbert's seminal 1965 novel, has experienced a similar pattern. Dune: Part One (2021) garnered six Oscars, all in technical categories, including Best Visual Effects and Best Sound, but missed out on Best Picture and Best Director. Dune: Part Two continued this trend with its two technical wins. ​

The consistent relegation of sci-fi films to technical categories suggests a broader industry perception that views these works primarily as showcases for technological innovation rather than as vehicles for profound storytelling or artistic expression. This perspective overlooks the genre's capacity to explore complex themes, envision alternative realities, and challenge societal norms.​

Despite these challenges, there are signs of change. The success of Everything Everywhere All at Once in major categories indicates a growing appreciation for sci-fi narratives. Then again, I'm wondering if the "comedy" aspect of that movie, made it more appealing then the typical serious science fiction movie. Who knows. 

As the genre continues to evolve, it is plausible that the Academy's recognition will expand beyond technical achievements, embracing the full spectrum of contributions that sci-fi films offer to the cinematic landscape.​

But last night wasn't that moment. 

Sci-Fi movies that were nominated but won no Oscars

• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – Nominated for Best Director, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Screenplay but won only for Visual Effects.
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) – Nominated for multiple awards but only won for Best Cinematography.
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) – Nominated for Best Art Direction, Visual Effects, and Score but won none.
• The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Nominated for Best Art Direction, Best Score, and Best Sound but lost all except for a Special Achievement Award in Sound.
• The Thing (1982) – Received zero Oscar nominations despite its groundbreaking visual effects.
• Blade Runner (1982) – Nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects but won neither.
• Brazil (1985) – Nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Art Direction but won neither.
• The Abyss (1989) – Nominated for four Oscars but won only Best Visual Effects.
• Gattaca (1997) – Nominated for Best Art Direction but did not win.
• Children of Men (2006) – Nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay but won none.
• Star Trek (2009) – Nominated for Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup, and Best Score but won only for Best Makeup.
• Looper (2012) – Completely snubbed with no nominations.
• The Martian (2015) – Nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, but won none.

Sci-Fi movies that were completely snubbed (no Oscar nominations)

• Metropolis (1927) – Not eligible at the time but remains one of the most influential sci-fi films.
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) – No nominations despite its impact on the genre.
• The Terminator (1984) – No nominations, though Terminator 2: Judgment Day later won multiple Oscars.
• The Iron Giant (1999) – No nominations, despite being one of the most beloved animated sci-fi films.
• Sunshine (2007) – No nominations despite critical praise for its visuals and cinematography.
• Annihilation (2018) – No nominations, despite its visual and narrative ambition.

Many of these films have since gained recognition as sci-fi classics, but at the time, the Academy largely overlooked them. Science fiction continues to struggle for recognition in major categories, often only getting attention in technical areas like visual effects and sound design.