Martin Scorsese Sets New Record with $158 Million Film That Achieved 0 Wins at the Oscars After 38 Years

During the 2024 Academy Awards, Martin Scorsese’s highly acclaimed film, Killers of the Flower Moon, received nominations in ten categories but ultimately walked away without any awards. This historical drama, adapted from a non-fiction book, sheds light on a tragic series of murders targeting the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma. Featuring notable talent like Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, the film generated significant buzz throughout late 2023. Despite this, Killers of the Flower Moon was unable to secure a win at the Oscars.

Scorsese’s film was nominated for prestigious awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and several technical categories like Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing. While the film was overshadowed by strong competitors such as Oppenheimer, Poor Things, and Anatomy of a Fall, it achieved a remarkable milestone through its director.

Historic Nomination for Scorsese

The Oldest Best Director Oscar Nominees

Final shot from Killers of the Flower Moon

Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon promotional image

Even without winning an Oscar, Killers of the Flower Moon still cemented its place in film history by setting a significant record. Martin Scorsese, at 81 years of age, became the oldest nominee in the Best Director category. His age surpassed that of competitors like Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Glazer, Justine Triet, and Yorgos Lanthimos. This nomination further underscores Scorsese’s enduring talent and creative vision, demonstrating that age is no barrier to producing compelling cinema.

The significance of Scorsese’s achievement is amplified by the fact that he broke a 38-year record previously held by John Huston, who was nominated for Prizzi’s Honor at the age of 79. Alongside Scorsese and Huston, other notable directors in this elite group include Charles Crichton, Robert Altman, Woody Allen, and Steven Spielberg, all of whom have made remarkable contributions to the film industry.

Scorsese’s Near Miss for Best Director Win

Potential Record-Breaking Opportunity for Clint Eastwood

Had Scorsese won the Best Director award, he would have claimed the title of the oldest winner in this category. Currently, Clint Eastwood holds this record, having won at 74 years of age for his film Million Dollar Baby. Other notable winners include Roman Polanski at 69 for The Pianist and Jane Campion at 67 for The Power of the Dog. Achieving this milestone at the age of 81 would have been an extraordinary feat for Scorsese.

Interestingly, the door remains open for Eastwood to extend his record. The acclaimed director, who is now 94, has recently released Juror #2. Despite flying under the radar, the film has impressively scored 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, positioning it as a possible contender for Oscar nominations. If Eastwood were to secure another win, it would not only affirm his legacy but could also signify a new trend, showcasing the ongoing contributions of older directors in an evolving film landscape.

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