The Shape of Water and 3 Other Movies That Didn't Deserve an Oscar for Best Picture
Over the nearly hundred years of the award's existence, the Academy has disagreed with its audience dozens of times.
The Oscars are a sacred event in the world of cinema, and winning the award is the culmination of any director's work.
However, not all films that win the award are considered masterpieces. In fact, there are many that are considered by many to be downright failures.
1. The Shape of Water, 2017
In 2018, Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water was nominated for thirteen Academy Awards. It won four, including Best Picture, which some viewers found odd given its rivals, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Darkest Hour.
The story of a mute cleaning lady who falls in love with an amphibian was considered derivative by some (The Shape of Water was accused of plagiarism, though the director was later cleared), while others found it charming and annoying in equal measure.
2. Spotlight, 2015
Although Spotlight is based on a major investigative journalism investigation that exposed Catholic priests involved in child abuse (a series of Spotlight stories on which Tom McCarthy's film is partially based won the Globe a Pulitzer Prize), some viewers and critics have questioned the film's cinematic value, believing that Spotlight won an Oscar solely because it tackled a difficult subject.
Regardless, the biographical drama received six Oscar nominations, winning two for Best Picture and Best Screenplay.
3. Moonlight, 2016
In 2017, Moonlight received eight Academy Award nominations. It won three times: the screen adaptation of Tarell Alvin McCraney's play took home golden Oscars for best adapted screenplay, best supporting actor, and best picture.
The latter was not without its hiccups. Initially, Damien Chazelle's La La Land was announced as the winner in the Best Picture category, but when the film's crew went on stage to accept the award (Chazelle had already begun his speech), Oscar organizers announced a mistake.
The incident became one of the most notable of the ceremony, prompting viewers and critics to debate whether Barry Jenkins' drama deserved the award.
4. Shakespeare in Love, 1998
This historical drama won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, but was criticized for its historical inaccuracies and for beating Saving Private Ryan.
Shakespeare in Love is a fictionalized account of the rivalry between William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. The film has been praised for its acting, costumes, and visuals, but many feel it is too light and unfair to the real historical figures of Shakespeare and Marlowe.