The Unseen Gems of 2025: Films That Will Be Snubbed by the Academy
As awards season has officially begun, the best films of 2025 are starting to be nominated for various award bodies. While some films like Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Hamnet are standing out with numerous nominations, there are also a number of still great films that will inevitably be ignored and snubbed by the Academy. These films, despite their quality and potential, may not receive any recognition from the Academy due to various factors such as release timing or being overshadowed by more prominent films.
‘Ne Zha 2’ – A Defiant Animated Masterpiece
The race for Best Animated Feature this year is less stacked than previous years, but it still has its fair share of notable snubs. While films like KPop Demon Hunters and Zootopia 2 are expected to receive widespread recognition, Ne Zha 2, the highest-grossing movie of 2025 and the highest-grossing animated film of all time, faces insurmountable odds of being nominated. The film’s high-octane spectacle and masterful action filmmaking make it one of the definitive animated films of the decade so far.
However, Chinese films are largely ignored by the Academy, and Ne Zha 2 is a sequel to a film that also wasn’t nominated. Its deep cultural roots and tailored approach to Chinese audiences make it nearly impossible for it to be recognized by Western award bodies. Despite A24’s efforts to rerelease the film with an English dub featuring Michelle Yeoh, it saw little interest from American audiences at the box office. It’s a genuine shame that a film of this quality isn’t receiving the recognition it deserves.
‘Lurker’ – A Cult Classic in the Making
Lurker is a deeply unsettling thriller that explores the modern era of parasocial fans and social media stalkers. The film follows a retail clerk who ingratiates himself into the friend group of a rising popstar, eventually taking drastic measures to ensure he remains part of their group. With a brilliant original screenplay, a great lead performance by Theodore Pellerin, and an equally exceptional supporting performance by Archie Madekwe, Lurker is one of the year’s best and most underrated thrillers.
Despite its critical acclaim, the film’s younger style and approach don’t align with the older tastes of the Academy. While its potential at the Academy seems nonexistent, Lurker is the exact type of film that will grow to be a defining cult classic of the era in due time.
‘Hedda’ – A Modern Adaptation of a Classic
Directed by Nia DaCosta, Hedda is an adaptation of the classic play. The film translates the theatrical character into a modern dramatic thriller, elevated by exceptional performances. Tessa Thompson delivers a great lead performance as Hedda Gabler, while Nina Hoss gives a standout, scene-stealing supporting performance as Eileen Lovborg.
However, the film’s chances of earning a nomination were diminished due to its release timing. With other films dominating the actress categories, there was little room for these performances to shine. Hedda is yet another example of a deserving film being overshadowed by more prominent competition.
‘The Life of Chuck’ – A Critical Success Overshadowed
When the Stephen King adaptation The Life of Chuck premiered at TIFF 2024, it seemed poised to be a major awards contender. It took home the People’s Choice Award, which has only been won by a film not nominated for Best Picture once before, in 2011. However, after NEON picked up the film, they focused on Anora as their primary award contender, releasing The Life of Chuck in the middle of summer with minimal impact.
With NEON’s focus on other films, The Life of Chuck has been sidelined. Despite its critical acclaim and audience appreciation, it has been completely overlooked by the Academy.
‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ – A Career-Best Performance
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You has quickly become a fan-favorite dramatic thriller of 2025, featuring an exceptional lead performance by Rose Byrne. The film is often compared to Uncut Gems, focusing on stressing out the audience with its non-stop ride of chaos. While this has made the film highly acclaimed, it has also set the stage for its central masterpiece performance to be ignored by the Academy.
Rose Byrne delivers a career-best performance, showcasing raw emotion and pain rarely seen in cinematic depictions of motherhood. Her performance is undeniably deserving of a nomination, despite fierce competition for Best Lead Actress.
‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ – A Musical Masterpiece
Kiss of the Spider Woman is a modern musical remake of a Best Picture-nominated drama about the power of movies in times of distress. The shift to a musical not only enhances the emotional weight of the story but also builds upon its themes. Jennifer Lopez’s supporting performance is a highlight, showcasing her musical talents and screen presence.
Despite its potential, the film’s lackluster box-office performance has doomed its chances of awards recognition. This is particularly painful given Lopez’s previous snub for her supporting role in Hustlers.
‘Sorry, Baby’ – An Indie Darling Overlooked
Sorry, Baby is a small-scale indie darling that has been overwhelmingly loved by critics and audiences. However, it is unlikely to be recognized by the Academy due to its release timing and A24’s focus on other films. While it may succeed at independent awards bodies like the Indie Spirit Awards, it won’t translate to Academy recognition.
Eva Victor’s direction is a standout, and the film is one of the most promising directorial debuts of recent memory. Despite lacking Academy recognition, it is easily one of the best films of 2025.
