Why do the Oscars snub horror films?

With the 95th Oscars fast approaching, the nominated projects noticeably lack films of the horror genre. This is despite 2022′s impressive horror film slate, with notable titles including ‘X’, ‘A Wounded Faun’, and ‘Nope’.

Still, this does not come as a surprise to many critics and film fanatics alike. Historically, the Oscars awards show nominations regularly dismiss films in the horror genre.

There have only been six horror films nominated for the prestigious Best Picture award at the Oscars in the past. These films include: ‘The Exorcist’, ‘Jaws’, ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘The Sixth Sense’, ‘Black Swan’, and ‘Get Out’.

‘Nope’ declared one of the most glaring Oscars snubs of 2023

Despite generating significant buzz leading up to the Oscars nominations, Jordan Peele’s horror film ‘Nope’ was still snubbed at the 95th Oscars.

With Peele’s directorial debut ‘Get Out’ previously receiving nominations for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor (Daniel Kaluuya), many expected at least some form of recognition at the 2023 Oscars for Peele’s most recent box-office hit.

Los Angeles Times film critic Justin Chang predicted prior to the Oscars nominations announcement that ‘Nope’ would likely be considered for Best Original Screenplay.

“Jordan Peele is in the business of avoiding — and defying — easily digestible narratives, which is very much to his credit,” Chang also commented, praising Peele’s directorial style.

To his and many other critics’ surprise, ‘Nope’ was noticeably left out of the nominations this year - following the decades-old of horror movie snubs by prestigious awards shows.

Mia Goth speaks out on lack of Oscars horror nominations

Fans and critics are not the only ones tired of awards shows like the Oscars overlooking the skill and artistry invested into the making of horror films. Recent horror star Mia Goth spoke out about this in an interview with JakesTakes on the press tour for the sci-fi horror movie ‘Infinity Pool’.

“It’s not entirely based on the quality of a project per se,” the actress commented.

She continues, “a change is necessary. A shift should take place if they wanted to engage with the wider public. I think it would be of benefit, really, [to nominate horror movies].”