15 Academy Award-Nominated Great Films That Didn’t Win a Single Oscar

5. The Color Purple

Based on a 1982 novel of the same name, The Color Purple was adapted into a film and slated to rack up numerous Oscars back in 1986. The period drama, directed by Steven Speilberg, explored the issues African-American women faced during the ’20s in rural Georgia. With Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Whoopi Goldberg), Best Cinematography (Allen Daviau), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Oprah Winfrey), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Margaret Avery), Best Screenplay (Menno Meyjes), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Original Song, and Best Original Score nominations, you would think the film would take home at least one award, right? Wrong! Not a single Oscar was won that night.