10 Classic Sci Fi Performances Snubbed by the Oscars

Oscar nominations will be announced later this month, and and are all but guaranteed to be in the Best Actress race. Last year, swept three of the four acting categories. That suggests sci fi and fantasy films, whose stars don’t always get attention they deserve (same goes for horror; ), have fully entered into the realm of Academy Award prestige.

Since that hasn’t always been the case, we’re looking back at worthy performances from the past. Here are 10 actors who did outstanding and memorable work in sci fi films—but still didn’t get any Oscar love. Christopher Lloyd, (1985) Christopher Lloyd, (1985) As it happens, a sci fi movie did win Best Supporting Actor that year: Don Ameche in .

But Lloyd’s scene stealing turn in a summer blockbuster that scored big with both critics and audiences and was passed over. If only eccentric inventor Doc Brown’s flux capacitor technology really existed, we could zip back in time like Marty McFly and right this wrong. Charlize Theron, (2015) Charlize Theron, (2015) (it won six), but somehow as a one armed “War Rig” driver who sparks a post apocalyptic revolution didn’t make the cut.

Perhaps Anya Taylor Joy’s take on the character in upcoming prequel will have better luck? Sigourney Weaver, (1979) Sigourney Weaver, (1979) She get nominated for —James Cameron’s more elaborate production which put more emphasis on the character from the start, while also putting her through the wringer both emotionally and physically—but Weaver could just as easily have gotten a nod for her intelligent, cool headed turn in ’s first film, too.

Linda Hamilton, (1991) Linda Hamilton, (1991) , with Hamilton’s toned biceps also making an impression. But the nuances of her performance—the burden of knowing what agonizing horrors loom in the future has utterly transformed Sarah Connor, both as a mother and as a human being—should have gotten more praise, too.

Emily Blunt, (2014) Emily Blunt, (2014) Like Hamilton’s turn, here’s another performance that transcends its action movie setting. gives us a woman who is undeniably a badass fighter—but also someone who’s well aware of the complex baggage that comes with being a war hero, and far better suited to unraveling than we realize at first.

Sam Rockwell, (2009) Sam Rockwell, (2009) Sam Rockwell plays a man (also named Sam) at ; his loneliness and boredom soon give way to mental and physical deterioration—and things really get existentially hairy when Sam realizes he’s a clone. Rockwell is fantastic playing opposite mostly, well, himself—as well as a disembodied Kevin Spacey (who voices the moon base’s AI).

Director Jonathan Glazer is getting major Oscar buzz for his current release, But his previous project was about an alien who assumes the form of a woman and prowls for male victims as a way of learning about the human race. Released as Scarlett Johansson’s fame was ramping up, it shows her range and is still one of her eeriest, most intuitive performances.

Jodie Foster, (1997) Jodie Foster, (1997) A big budget sci fi movie directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on Carl Sagan’s novel, is a thoughtful exploration of what might happen if aliens reached out—seen through the lens of a determined scientist played by Jodie Foster, and with . Foster is great, as always—which is maybe why the Oscars forgot to notice.

Amy Adams, (2016) Amy Adams, (2016) Future and helmer Denis Villeneuve’s first foray into sci fi nabbed him a Best Director nomination; was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Adapted Screenplay, and it won for Best Sound Editing). Perpetual Oscar bridesmaid Amy Adams (she’s been nominated six times to date) didn’t make the list, however, despite turning in an absolutely compelling performance in a movie , as well as the importance of believing in one’s life choices.

Alan Rickman, (1999) Alan Rickman, (1999) is , but this sci fi comedy didn’t connect with audiences initially—which is maybe why Rickman’s hilariously droll performance as a Shakespearean actor mortified by his nerdy fame (complete with catchphrase) didn’t grab Oscar by... ahem... Grabthar’s Hammer..