13 Awesome 2016 Movies That Deserve Best Picture (But Won't Get Nominated)
3. I, Daniel Blake
RottenTomatoes Score: 92% (7.8/10)
Why It Deserves Best Picture: Ken Loach's Palme d'Or winning drama is a chilling, devastating indictment of Britain's broken benefits system, and while it lacks any subtlety to speak of, it more than compensates with an important message, shot home by fantastic performances from Dave Johns and Hayley Squires.
This is Loach on peak form, all the more apt given that he came out of retirement to make it after the Conservative government got back in power. If the film managed to stand tall on the Academy's stage, Loach would be able to shout his message to as far and wide an audience as possible.
Why It Won't Get Nominated: American Oscar voters may simply not find the issue relatable enough given their country's approach to welfare, it's a very intimate film and there's not a single name actor in it.
They're all recipes for success at the British Independent Film Awards (where it has seven nominations), but sadly not the Oscars.