Every awards season creates its own list of winners, nominees, and inevitable snubs. While the March 2026 Academy Awards spotlighted a handful of major studio contenders, several Netflix originals with strong reviews and serious creative ambition were left out of the conversation.
From high concept mysteries to lyrical indie dramas, these films prove that prestige does not always translate into nominations. If you are building a “snubbed gems” watchlist, these are the Netflix titles worth streaming now.
TL;DR
The 2026 Oscars left out several strong Netflix originals that earned critical praise in 2025. From bold genre films to intimate indies, these 10 titles deserved far more awards love.
1. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Directed by Rian Johnson
Starring Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
The latest Benoit Blanc mystery was widely praised as the sharpest entry in the franchise so far. With a 92 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and strong word of mouth, many expected at least a screenplay nomination. Johnson’s layered plotting and Craig’s continued reinvention of Blanc made it a critical standout. Yet when nominations were announced, the film was absent across major categories.
For a franchise that previously received awards attention, this omission felt particularly glaring.
2. A House of Dynamite
A House of Dynamite
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, Jason Clarke
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
Bigelow returned to high stakes tension with a politically charged nuclear thriller that critics described as tightly controlled and unsettling. Though its 75 percent Rotten Tomatoes score suggests mixed reactions compared to some others on this list, many felt Bigelow’s direction deserved recognition given her history with prestige war dramas.
The lack of directing or acting nominations made it one of the more debated omissions among industry watchers.
3. Jay Kelly
Jay Kelly
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Starring George Clooney, Adam Sandler
This intimate drama about aging, friendship, and quiet regret generated early awards buzz thanks to its lead performances. Clooney and Sandler were both discussed as potential acting contenders, while Baumbach’s script earned praise for emotional honesty.
As the season progressed, momentum faded. By nomination morning, the film was completely shut out, reinforcing how crowded the awards race has become for character driven dramas.
4. Left-Handed Girl
Left-Handed Girl
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
One of the year’s highest rated films, this compassionate Taiwanese indie achieved a remarkable 98 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. It was shortlisted for International Feature but ultimately did not make the final nominee list.
For many critics, its absence underscored how competitive the international category has become. Its emotional precision and cultural specificity made it one of Netflix’s most acclaimed global titles of 2025.
5. Nouvelle Vague
Nouvelle Vague
Directed by Richard Linklater
A loving tribute to the French New Wave and particularly Breathless, this formally playful drama impressed cinephiles. Linklater’s direction embraced stylistic experimentation, evoking the spirit of 1960s Paris cinema.
Despite its innovation and strong festival response, the Academy passed it over. For fans of film history, this was one of the more surprising omissions.
6. Black Bag
Black Bag
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring Marisa Abela, Cate Blanchett
Marketed as a sleek spy thriller, the film doubled as a sharp exploration of marriage and trust. Critics praised its confident tone and standout performances, particularly Blanchett’s.
Yet genre films often struggle at the Oscars unless they dominate the cultural conversation. Despite strong reviews, it earned zero nominations.
7. Wicked: For Good
Wicked: For Good
Starring Ariana Grande
As a high profile musical sequel, expectations were sky high. Given the cultural momentum of the broader Wicked franchise, many assumed technical nominations were inevitable.
Instead, the film walked away empty handed. Whether due to franchise fatigue or stiff competition, its absence surprised fans who anticipated at least music or production design recognition.
8. The Testament of Ann Lee
The Testament of Ann Lee
This thematically ambitious drama tackled faith, power, and community with nuance. Though it appeared on several critics’ year end lists, it failed to gain traction with Academy voters.
Its omission highlights how smaller, contemplative dramas can struggle in a crowded awards field dominated by louder campaigns.
9. The Naked Gun
The Naked Gun
Comedy remains one of the Academy’s most overlooked genres. This action comedy remake delivered strong audience engagement and critical praise for revitalizing a beloved property.
Still, comedies rarely break through in major categories. The film’s snub continues that long standing trend.
10. Train Dreams
Train Dreams
Directed by Clint Bentley
This lyrical indie about love and loss did secure some nominations, but many felt it deserved more, particularly in acting categories. Its restrained storytelling and emotional depth resonated with critics, even if the Academy’s recognition felt limited.
Why These Snubs Matter
Netflix’s 2025 film slate demonstrated remarkable range. From crowd pleasing mysteries to introspective international dramas, the platform proved it can produce more than traditional Oscar bait.
Awards do not define quality. Several of these films quickly found large streaming audiences, with titles like Wake Up Dead Man reportedly drawing strong early viewership. In an era where streaming metrics compete with awards recognition, audience impact matters just as much.
If you are searching for overlooked gems, this list offers a starting point. Each of these films sparked conversation, pushed creative boundaries, or delivered standout performances. The Oscars may have moved on, but these movies are still available to discover and reassess.
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