In the realm of the Academy Awards, there have been numerous shocking snubs over the years. Greta Gerwig's absence from the best director category for "Barbie" and Margot Robbie's exclusion from the best actress category are just a couple of recent examples. However, these snubs are part of a larger pattern of overlooking talented filmmakers.

Variety takes a retrospective look at the 15 most significant director snubs in the last 25 years. These filmmakers were highly anticipated and favored on prediction lists during their respective years, making their exclusion all the more surprising.

One such notable snub was Dee Rees for her film "Mudbound," a powerful drama that explored racial and class dynamics in post-World War II Mississippi. While the film achieved historical milestones, such as Rachel Morrison becoming the first woman nominated for cinematography and Mary J. Blige receiving nominations for acting and song, Rees was left on the outskirts as her directing effort failed to gain enough traction.

Director Peter Jackson faced a similar fate despite the massive success of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Jackson's visionary work in constructing the iconic 40-minute battle sequence in "Helm's Deep" was appreciated by the Directors Guild of America, but the Academy's directors' branch looked elsewhere, leaving Jackson without a nomination.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the film industry, leading to an extended eligibility year for the Academy Awards in 2020. Among the notable snubs that year was Shaka King for his period thriller "Judas and the Black Messiah," which delved into the FBI's pursuit and the murder of Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton. While "Nomadland" took home the best picture award, "Judas and the Black Messiah" was considered a likely runner-up, making King's exclusion all the more surprising.

Comedy films often find themselves underrepresented in the nominations, and Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris' heartwarming comedy "Little Miss Sunshine" is a prime example. Despite its critical success and winning the Producers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild awards, the film fell short of receiving a directing nomination.

Joe Wright's visually stunning period drama "Atonement" was another notable snub. Wright, known for his directorial prowess, expertly brought Christopher Hampton's delicate narrative to life, but his team of artisans, particularly cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, were left unrecognized by the Academy.

Barry Jenkins, who won the best picture award for "Moonlight," faced disappointment when his follow-up film, "If Beale Street Could Talk," failed to secure a best picture nomination. The film, praised for its depiction of Black love and accompanied by Nicholas Britell's outstanding original score, remains a standout from the 2010s.

Spike Jonze, known for his originality and emotional storytelling, experienced a similar snub with "Her." The futuristic romantic drama, centered around a man's relationship with an artificial intelligence assistant, showcased Jonze's directorial vision, yet he was left unrecognized by the Academy.

Finally, Regina King's directorial debut, "One Night in Miami," garnered praise from precursors and industry pundits. However, despite highlighting King's achievements, the film only received nominations for supporting actor, adapted screenplay, and original song, leaving her without a best director nomination.

These director snubs reflect the challenges faced by filmmakers in the industry. While there have been improvements in recognizing diverse voices, there is still much progress to be made in honoring comedies, horror films, animated features, and documentaries. The Academy Awards continue to provide opportunities for debate and discussion, reminding us of the tough competition that exists in the world of filmmaking.