10. 'Raging Bull' (1980) - Lost to 'Ordinary People'

This was a passion project for De Niro, having read and been fascinated by LaMotta’s memoir, and despite Scorsese’s initial scepticism, the pair went on to produce one of the finest American sports films of all time. Despite Robert De Niro picking up the Best Actor award, the film itself lost to Robert Redford’s drama 'Ordinary People', which circles around the emotional strains on a family following a loss so close to home. A powerful and expertly executed character study of a flawed sportsman celebrated within the limelight, yet damaged behind closed doors, the film is has stood the test of time in precisely the same way that 'Ordinary People' has proven to be, well, just plain ordinary.

9. 'Apocalypse Now' (1979) - Lost to 'Kramer vs. Kramer'

Francis Ford Coppola’s nightmarish Vietnam War epic was a significant and highly relevant piece of cinema upon its release, ambitiously depicting the horrors of the Vietnam War and the distresses it placed upon soldiers who served there. 'Apocalypse Now' has remained one of the most adored and cherished war films of all time, and yet it missed out at the 52nd Academy Awards to drama 'Kramer vs. Kramer'.

8. 'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994) - Lost to 'Forrest Gump'

Based on Stephen King’s novella, the film revolves around the prison, Shawshank State Penitentiary. Written and directed by Frank Darabont, 'The Shawshank Redemption' is an enthralling rollercoaster story depicting Andy Dufresne’s time incarcerated, a film which is ambitiously full of characters and story arcs that are enriched with complexities and depth. Alongside 'Shawshank Redemption' was Quentin Tarantino’s crime masterpiece 'Pulp Fiction', both losing to Robert Zemeckis’ 'Forrest Gump', a heartfelt romantic comedy, depicting the slow witted titular character. 

7. 'My Left Foot' (1989) - Lost to 'Driving Miss Daisy'

Without question one of the greatest method actors of all time, Daniel Day Lewis prepared for his role as the paralysed Christy Brown by bounding himself in his wheelchair throughout production, refusing to walk, and having crew members carrying him around set and spoon feed him. A low-budget piece of cinema which was both sentimental and enthralling throughout, it was beaten to the Best Picture prize by Bruce Beresford’s civil rights-motivated drama-comedy 'Driving Miss Daisy', which involves the perpetually developing relationship between an ageing Jewish widow and her African American chauffeur, eventually forming a friendship.

6. 'Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' (1966) - Lost to 'A Man for All Seasons'

'Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' depicts a crumbling marriage between Martha, the psychologically tormented wife, and her husband, George, an angry man failing in his career, played by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It is one of only two films to be nominated in every single category it was eligible for throughout the history of the Oscars, as well as being the first film to pick up nominations in every Best Acting classification. But, it lost to the movie directed and produced by Fred Zinnemann. 'A Man for All Seasons' was a British biographical drama production, written for the screen by Robert Bolt.

5. 'Goodfellas' (1990) - Lost to 'Dances with Wolves'

One of the finest films ever made about organized crime, 'Goodfellas' features a young Ray Liotta in one of his standout performances alongside great actors, including Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. However, he lost in every single category to Kevin Costner’s epic war drama 'Dances with Wolves', a travesty that later necessitated a further travesty in compensation in 2006 when Scorsese was finally awarded his due for 'The Departed'.

4. 'The Graduate' (1967) - Lost to 'In the Heat of the Night'

The iconic satirical comedy 'The Graduate' was director Mike Nichols’ follow up film to 'Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?', starring Dustin Hoffman in his breakthrough role as Ben Braddock, a recently graduated student who is ambivalent about the direction his life should take, as well as his love life. 'The Graduate' is a classic coming-of-age tale that remains as fresh today as it did over 40 years ago. However, the film lost the Best Picture award to the murder mystery drama, 'In The Heat of the Night'.

3. 'Brokeback Mountain' (2005) - Lost to 'Crash'

Ang Lee’s romantic Western was celebrated upon its release for its beautiful depiction of difficult subject matter through its smart script and stunning cinematography. However, 'Brokeback Mountain' criminally lost out on all acting accolades, its cinematography work, and the award for Best Picture, which was handed to Canadian director Paul Haggis’ social commentary piece 'Crash'.

2. 'Citizen Kane' (1941) - Lost to 'How Green Was My Valley'

Produced by, starring, directed by, and co-written by a mid-20’s Orson Welles, a man of indescribable talent from such a young age, 'Citizen Kane' tells the story of a powerful newspaper tycoon’s death and the discovery of what his final exclamation meant. An expertly orchestrated piece from the golden age of cinema, 'Citizen Kane' was ahead of most at its time of release. Arguably, Orson Welles’ finest work throughout his career, his piece was beaten to the accolade by John Ford’s coal mining drama 'How Green Was My Valley', based on British novelist Richard Llewellyn’s book of the same name.

1. 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998) - Lost to 'Shakespeare in Love'

An absolute masterclass in how to create a disturbing and realistic war drama about survival and endurance, Steven Spielberg’s ambitious 1998 masterpiece 'Saving Private Ryan' is full of depth, heart, and gritty imagery. The film expertly captures the horrors of war and the desperate attempt to hold onto humanity during and after so many inhumane acts of violence. Spielberg again manages to assemble a stellar cast of actors, here to portray the soldiers behind enemy lines, including Tom Hanks, Barry Pepper, Tom Sizemore, and Vin Diesel, as well as Matt Damon as the titular Private Ryan. Despite being nominated in 11 categories by The Academy, of which it won Best Director, Cinematography, and Sound Editing, the film was beaten to the top prize by director John Madden’s romantic drama 'Shakespeare in Love'.