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From ‘Hoop Dreams’ to ‘Flee’: The 20 Documentaries That Deserved a Best Picture Oscar Nomination

In nearly a century of Oscars, not a single documentary has been nominated for best picture.

By The News Engine Desk Based on reporting by Variety

26 Oct 2026, 05:25 IST 1 min read 0 views

1000044410 — Image: Variety · via Variety

According to Variety, in nearly a century of Oscars, not a single documentary has been nominated for best picture.

But that shouldn’t be the case. While a documentary can win its own Oscar, reshape the cultural conversation and become one of the defining films of its era, these nonfiction feature films have been excluded from the top category.

This entertainment story centres on the United States. Names and organisations mentioned in the coverage include Best Picture Oscar Nomination, Hoop Dreams’ and Documentaries That Deserved.

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Key details

Location: United States · Americas
Reported by: Variety
First reported: 26 Oct 2026, 05:25 IST
Key names: Best Picture Oscar Nomination, Hoop Dreams’, Documentaries That Deserved, Oscars
Section: Entertainment