As viewers gear up for awards season, the “Oscar bait” movies are still here. Studios want their movies to win Oscars, and it shows during awards season with massive PR campaigns and press junkets for movies hoping for an Oscar. Some of the best movies ever made were made specifically to win Oscars.
While there have been some great Oscar films over the years, there have also been notable misfires. Typically, these movies are meant to compete for awards, but the end result doesn’t come close. Critics can be very unforgiving, and there’s nothing worse than an Oscar bait movie bombardment.
10/10 All The King’s Men Didn’t Even Come Close To The Success Of The 1949 Original
All the king’s men is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, and follows the rise and fall of Governor Willie Stark. The film was already adapted in 1949 when it won Best Picture at the Oscars. The 2006 adaptation starred Sean Penn, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Anthony Hopkins.
Unfortunately, this adaptation of the novel was a critical and commercial failure. It holds a dismal 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and almost every facet of the film has been criticized. There’s nothing more “Oscar bait” than trying to remake a movie that won Best Picture and fails miserably.
9/10 Cats were a flop
Released in December 2019, Cats was an adaptation of the famous Broadway musical of the same name. The film was directed by Tom Hooper and featured an impressive cast, including Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellan, and even Taylor Swift.
Cats was universally rejected upon release. The reviews came after everything, from its visuals to its cast to its direction. Considering the talent behind the film, it was shocking that it bombed so badly. There was even an infamous cut where several of the cats rears were visible before it was quickly changed.
8/10 The divided reviews of the Seven Pounds story
seven books stars Will Smith as Ben Thomas, a man who sets out to change the lives of seven different people because he seeks redemption. The film stars Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson and Michael Ealy. Although it was a box office hit, reviews from critics were a different story.
Critics found seven books too dark and its plot is illogical. The film’s twist ending proved divisive among viewers and critics alike, dooming any awards season hopes the film had. To seven books‘ credit, it was better received by the public than by the critics.
7/10 Don’t look up, that was a bit too much on the nose
Don’t look up follows two astronomers (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) who desperately try to warn the world of their impending doom due to a meteor heading straight for Earth. The satirical film focuses on the current political climate in the United States and the important subject of climate change.
While it was satire, Don’t look up was unabashedly an Oscar bait film. For example, Meryl Streep’s President Orlean is obviously based on former President Trump, as well as several members of his cabinet who inspired other characters. Critics found the satire heavy. Although not a favorite of critics or viewers, Don’t look up surprisingly landed a Best Picture nomination.
6/10 Australia will find new life on Hulu as a limited series
Directed by Baz Luhrmann Australia follows an English woman who inherits a ranch in Australia. Her stay brought her into contact with a herdsman and a young native boy. The epic starred Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman and was supposed to be a surefire contender for the awards.
Unfortunately, Australia only received one nomination for Best Costume Design. Critics disliked the film, with many citing its long running time (165 minutes) and pervasive narrative. However, in June 2022, it was announced that the film would be re-released as a six-part limited series titled Distant lows, which will incorporate unused footage from the film. It should be released on Hulu.
5/10 J. Edgar was praised for Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance and not much else
J. Edgar centers on the life of former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film follows Hoover’s life and career, from founding the FBI to his personal struggles. It was directed by Clint Eastwood, who was coming off the hit of Invictus at the Oscars two years ago.
Most critics agreed that DiCaprio gave a powerful performance, but the rest of the film was a disappointment. It was clear it was supposed to be an Oscar movie, but it didn’t land. DiCaprio, on the other hand, picked up nominations for a SAG and a Golden Globe but didn’t receive a coveted Oscar nomination.
4/10 Amelia was an unforgettable biopic
Amelia stars Hilary Swank as famed aviator Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Earhart tragically disappeared in 1937 while flying over the Pacific Ocean. The unpopular biopic covers Earhart’s early life and career in aviation until his demise.
Critics have been overwhelmingly negative in their reviews of Amelia, and he fared no better with the public. The film was labeled flat, dull and haphazard. Swank, a two-time Oscar winner, also received no praise for her performance as Earhart.
3/10 The Monuments Men Just Didn’t Click With The Critics
The men of the monuments, starring and directed by George Clooney, is set during World War II and follows an Allied group tasked with finding works of art. The film featured an ensemble cast, including Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Cate Blanchett.
The men of the monuments had everything an Oscar movie would have. It had a great cast, Clooney was coming off the Ides of March hit, and it was a war movie, which the Oscars tend to love. However, The men of the monuments Didn’t sit well with critics. Many critics have raised its historical inaccuracy, even though the film claimed to be based on true events.
2/10 Soloist’s Narrative Drops Strong Main Performances
The Soloist stars Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless musician who lives with schizophrenia. Robert Downey Jr. stars as a journalist who discovers Ayers and wants to write about him. The Soloist is based on the true story of their friendship.
Despite good performances from its leaders, the rest of The Soloist was not a hit with critics. Many said the story was a disappointment. The Soloist only made just over half of its budget at the box office and received negative reviews.
1/10 Diana landed a Razzie nomination for Naomi Watts
Diana, released in 2013, is a character study of Princess Diana’s final two years. Naomi Watts stars as Princess Diana, and the film explores her relationship with Hasnat Khan, a heart surgeon played by Naveen Andrews. Generally, biopics about deeply admired people such as Princess Diana are well received.
However, Diana was not very successful according to critics. It currently holds a 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and many have criticized the story of Diana. Watts, unfortunately, landed a Razzie nomination for Worst Actress instead of an Oscar.
