Top 10 Filmmakers that Have Never Won a Best Director Oscar
They've all left an everlasting mark on cinema, even if they don't have a certain accolade to show for it.For this list, we’re taking a look at prominent directors that never took home an Academy Award for their directing work. However, filmmakers who have been recognized with Honorary Oscars and wins in other categories are still eligible, as long as they never achieved the highest honor for a director.
The Top Ten
1 Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, was an English-American film director and producer, at times referred to as "The Master of Suspense".
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, was an English-American film director and producer, at times referred to as "The Master of Suspense".
2 Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick was an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor, and photographer. He is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most influential directors in cinematic history. He died at the age of 71.
Stanley Kubrick was an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor, and photographer. He is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most influential directors in cinematic history. He died at the age of 71.
3 Akira Kurosawa
Akira Kurosawa was a Japanese film director and screenwriter, who directed 30 films in a career spanning 57 years. He is regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema.
Akira Kurosawa was a Japanese film director and screenwriter, who directed 30 films in a career spanning 57 years. He is regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema.
4 David Fincher
David Andrew Leo Fincher is an American film director, film producer, television director, television producer, and music video director.
David Andrew Leo Fincher is an American film director, film producer, television director, television producer, and music video director.
5 Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry.
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry. Charlie Chaplin received two Honorary Academy Awards and finally won an Oscar for Best Original Score in 1973, but this icon of the silent movie era was never even nominated for Best Director. Part of this was likely because the popularity of silent movies started to die out in the ‘30s and Chaplin became an increasingly controversial figure in the ‘40s. Plus, slapstick comedies have rarely been taken seriously at the Oscars. In retrospect, though, the Academy must be kicking themselves for not recognizing the Little Tramp for his innovative direction.
6 Federico Fellini
7 Ingmar Bergman
Ernst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer, and producer who worked in film, television, theatre and radio.
Ernst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer, and producer who worked in film, television, theatre and radio.
8 Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino (born March 27, 1963) is an American filmmaker, actor, film critic and author. His films are characterized by frequent references to popular culture and film history, nonlinear storylines, dark humor, stylized violence, extended dialogue, pervasive use of profanity, cameos and ensemble casts... read more
Quentin Jerome Tarantino (born March 27, 1963) is an American filmmaker, actor, film critic and author. His films are characterized by frequent references to popular culture and film history, nonlinear storylines, dark humor, stylized violence, extended dialogue, pervasive use of profanity, cameos and ensemble casts... read more
9 Robert Altman
10 Sergio Leone
The Contenders
11 Christopher Nolan
Christopher Edward Nolan, CBE (born 30 July 1970), is a British-American film director, producer, and screenwriter. His films have grossed more than US$5 billion worldwide and have garnered 11 Academy Awards from 36 nominations.
Born and raised in London, Nolan developed an interest in filmmaking from a young age. After studying English literature at University College London, he made his feature... read more
Christopher Edward Nolan, CBE (born 30 July 1970), is a British-American film director, producer, and screenwriter. His films have grossed more than US$5 billion worldwide and have garnered 11 Academy Awards from 36 nominations.Born and raised in London, Nolan developed an interest in filmmaking from a young age. After studying English literature at University College London, he made his feature... read more
12 George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American filmmaker and entrepreneur. He is best known as the creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, as well as the founder of Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic.
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American filmmaker and entrepreneur. He is best known as the creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, as well as the founder of Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic.
13 F. W. Murnau
14 Sergei Eisenstein
15 Wes Anderson
Wesley Wales Anderson is an American filmmaker. His films are known for their distinctive visual and narrative styles.
Wesley Wales Anderson is an American filmmaker. His films are known for their distinctive visual and narrative styles.BAdd New Item