While the Oscars are a much-anticipated event, for some fans, they have a damper cast on them. Every year, someone is left out of the lineup, and while this year’s is an interesting mix, some contenders have found themselves on the fringe despite seeming to be surefire bets.

While “Selma” has had a fair share of controversy surrounding its release, there’s no denying that it was a shock when the critically-acclaimed historical drama only earned two nominations (“Best Picture” and “Best Original Song” for “Glory”). Even as rumors mounted about the Academy reception to the film, many thought that its director, Ava DuVernay, would make history as the first African-American woman to be nominated for “Best Director,” and that its lead actor David Oyelowo would make it in “Best Actor.” However, while “Selma” did make history – Oprah Winfrey, who produced and stars in the film, is the first African-American woman to earn a “Best Picture” nomination – its snubs in other major categories, especially director and actor, stand out as a couple of the most surprising. 

While it became apparent late in the season that “Gone Girl” would be on the outer edge of the “Best Picture” lineup and potentially miss the screenplay nomination for screenwriter Gillian Flynn – along with “Best Actress” hopeful Rosamund Pike, who did get in – seemed assured. Therefore, it was a stunner when Flynn’s adaptation of her own novel – which many had predicted to win “Best Adapted Screenplay” – was snubbed in favor, most likely, of “American Sniper” or “Inherent Vice.”

In the midst of the awards season, a PR campaign for the ages started to rise, and caused a wave of goodwill that not many saw coming, but one that pundits jumped onto quickly. Jennifer Aniston’s performance in the gritty indie drama “Cake” earned her surprise nominations at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice and Screen Actors Guild Awards, a lineup of nominations that seemed to signal that a “Best Actress” nomination was on its way. However, at the end of the day Aniston did not make it in as the Academy instead gave her spot to fellow Critics’ Choice nominee Marion Cotillard for “Two Days, One Night.”

The last slot in the “Best Supporting Actress” lineup was a toss-up all the way to Oscar nomination morning. While some actresses – such as Naomi Watts in ”St. Vincent” (Screen Actors’ Guild), Rene Russo in “Nightcrawler” (British Film Academy), and Laura Dern in “Wild” (who would end up taking home the Oscar nomination) – rotated in and out of that spot, Jessica Chastain’s performance as the wife of an oil magnate (Oscar Isaac) trying to stay on the straight and narrow in J.C. Chandor’s crime drama “A Most Violent Year” popped up in the most places, including the Golden Globes. Her performance has been the most critically lauded from the film, and for some critics, was the only real challenger to frontrunner Patricia Arquette in “Boyhood.”

Since the Best Picture lineup expanded from five to 10 nominees in 2009 – and eventually to a sliding scale – the phenomena of a “lone director” hasn’t happened again. So when Bennett Miller picked up a directing nod for the dark drama “Foxcatcher” – which also landed nods for screenplay, supporting actor (Mark Ruffalo) and lead actor (Steve Carell) – it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the film was in the “Best Picture” lineup. However, it wasn’t, and for the first time in the expanded field, there is a lone director this year. This is surprising because if there was enough love to nominate Miller over other contenders such as Ava DuVernay, Clint Eastwood and Damien Chazelle – whose films did make it into “Best Picture” – then the film typically would have been swept in as well.

Although the inclusions of Steve Carell (“Foxcatcher”) and Bradley Cooper (“American Sniper”) are no surprise in the “Best Actor” lineup, many thought Jake Gyllenhaal’s transformative turn as an aspiring crime journalist in “Nightcrawler” would make it in after Critics Choice and SAG noms. However, outside of original screenplay, the film – loved by many circles – got snubbed entirely.