19 Actresses People Are Convinced Deserve An Oscar
Hollywood has a funny way of forgetting its brightest stars sometimes.
Every year, the Academy Awards roll around and we watch incredible actresses deliver performances that leave us breathless, yet they walk away empty-handed.
Some have been nominated multiple times, others have been shockingly overlooked, but all of them have given us unforgettable moments on screen that deserve the golden statue.
Disclaimer: All assessments and observations are based on opinion, viewer response, and industry discussion rather than any objective or official measure of merit.
1. Amy Adams
Six nominations and zero wins sounds like a Hollywood crime, right?
Adams has transformed into everything from a Disney princess in real life to a linguistics expert communicating with aliens.
Her range spans comedy, drama, and everything in between with such effortless grace that it feels criminal she hasn’t won yet.
2. Glenn Close
Eight nominations make Close the most nominated actress without a win.
That’s not a fun record to hold, just saying.
From Dangerous Liaisons to The Wife, she’s delivered performances so powerful they could move mountains.
Her ability to disappear into complex characters is basically superhero-level talent.
If anyone deserves a lifetime achievement Oscar at this point, it’s her.
3. Saoirse Ronan
Four Oscar nominations before turning 30 is pretty impressive stuff.
Ronan has been stealing scenes since she was a teenager, bringing depth to every role she touches.
She makes crying on camera look like an art form, which honestly it is.
Her Irish charm combined with raw talent makes her unstoppable.
4. Annette Bening
Four nominations and still waiting might drive some people bonkers.
Bening has proven herself in American Beauty, The Kids Are All Right, and countless other films.
Her performances feel so natural you forget you’re watching someone act.
That’s the mark of true greatness, friends.
She brings intelligence and warmth to every character, making them feel like people you actually know.
Time to give her that statue!
5. Michelle Williams
Five nominations for Williams proves Hollywood recognizes her talent.
However, recognition without reward feels incomplete, doesn’t it?
Blue Valentine and Manchester by the Sea showed us heartbreak in its rawest form.
She has this quiet intensity that sneaks up on you and punches you right in the feelings.
6. Angela Bassett
Bassett brought Tina Turner to life so powerfully that people still talk about it decades later.
She combines strength and vulnerability in ways that few actresses can match.
From Black Panther to American Horror Story, she dominates every screen she graces.
The woman is royalty, and royalty deserves a crown!
7. Carey Mulligan
Three nominations by your mid-30s is nothing to sneeze at.
Mulligan burst onto the scene with An Education and hasn’t slowed down since.
Promising Young Woman showcased her ability to handle complex, uncomfortable material with grace and grit.
Her performances stick with you long after the credits roll, which is exactly what great acting should do!
8. Naomi Watts
Two Oscar nominations barely scratch the surface of what Watts has accomplished.
Mulholland Drive launched her into the stratosphere, and she’s been soaring ever since.
She tackles psychological thrillers, dramas, and biographical roles with equal skill.
There’s something haunting about her performances that lingers in your mind.
Whether playing real people or fictional characters, she brings authenticity that feels almost supernatural.
9. Emily Blunt
From singing in the woods to battling aliens in silence, Blunt does it all.
Her range is absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way.
A Quiet Place proved she could carry a film with minimal dialogue, using only facial expressions and body language.
She’s basically a Swiss Army knife of acting talent, and that deserves recognition!
10. Scarlett Johansson
Two nominations in the same year for Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit was impressive.
Johansson has been a Hollywood fixture since she was practically a kid.
She brings depth to superhero roles that other actors might play as one-dimensional.
Her dramatic work reveals layers of complexity that surprise audiences every time.
11. Toni Collette
One nomination for The Sixth Sense feels like a massive oversight.
Collette has delivered knockout performances in Hereditary, Little Miss Sunshine, and countless other films.
Her ability to portray grief and trauma feels so real it’s almost uncomfortable to watch.
She disappears into roles completely, making you forget you’ve seen her before.
12. Kristen Stewart
Stewart went from sparkling vampires to playing Princess Diana with stunning maturity.
Her nomination for Spencer proved she’s way more than teenage franchises.
She brings an edgy, nervous energy to characters that feels completely authentic and fresh.
Independent films have benefited enormously from her willingness to take risks.
Her evolution as an actress has been one of Hollywood’s most fascinating transformations to witness!
13. Taraji P. Henson
One nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button doesn’t capture her full brilliance.
Henson stole hearts as Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures, bringing history to life.
She balances strength and vulnerability in ways that make characters feel three-dimensional.
Her work on Empire proved she could dominate television just as easily as film.
14. Elisabeth Moss
Television has been Moss’s kingdom, but her film work deserves more attention.
The Handmaid’s Tale showcases her ability to convey resistance through the smallest gestures.
Her Invisible Man performance was a masterclass in reacting to things that aren’t there.
She brings intensity to every project that makes viewers lean forward in their seats.
15. Laura Linney
Three Oscar nominations and numerous other accolades prove Linney’s consistent excellence.
She excels at playing intelligent, complicated women who refuse to be simplified.
The Savages and You Can Count on Me highlighted her gift for subtle, nuanced performances.
There’s a quiet dignity to her work that feels refreshingly understated.
16. Margot Robbie
Two nominations before 35 suggests many more are coming.
Robbie transformed herself physically and mentally to portray Tonya Harding with shocking authenticity.
I, Tonya showed the world she was more than just a pretty face.
She’s also a savvy producer, championing female-led stories through her production company.
An Oscar win feels inevitable at this point!
17. Cynthia Erivo
One nomination for Harriet was just the beginning for this powerhouse.
Erivo brings Broadway-level talent to everything she touches, singing and acting with equal brilliance.
Her portrayal of Harriet Tubman carried the weight of history on her shoulders.
She’s one of the few performers who can belt out a song and deliver a dramatic monologue flawlessly.
With more film roles coming, an Oscar victory seems like a matter of when, not if!
18. Sigourney Weaver
Three nominations across different decades proves Weaver’s enduring relevance.
She basically invented the female action hero with Ripley in the Alien franchise.
Gorillas in the Mist showcased her dramatic chops beautifully and memorably.
Her ability to command the screen in sci-fi and drama equally is genuinely remarkable.
19. Angela Lansbury
Three Oscar nominations before she turned 21 is absolutely mind-blowing.
Lansbury became a television icon with Murder, She Wrote, but her film work was extraordinary too.
The Manchurian Candidate remains one of cinema’s most chilling villain performances.
She brought elegance and intelligence to every role across eight decades of work.
Though she passed in 2022, her legacy as an Oscar-less legend remains bittersweet but inspiring!
