Every Oscar Winner for Best Picture, Ranked Worst to Best

Whew! This only took me almost three years to compile. I first decided to do this March 2016, and that was before I even started my grading scale on how to assess a movie. Back then, I started going through watching all the Best Picture winners mostly by personal instinct, but knew I had to go through again with the ones I already watched and put them through my grading scale. Even then, my grading scale had a lot of massive alterations made over time, which meant some movies I graded I had to regrade so that I could get a more accurate score of the film's objective quality. That's why this took so long to complete. But here it is, finally! Yay!

Just a forewarning: lots of unpopular opinions and hot takes ahead, and there's ninety-two movies that won the prize, so prepare for lots of scrolling.

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#94. Around the World in Eighty Days 1956

How on earth did this win Best Picture? Around the World in Eighty Days has aged so dreadfully, coming off today as just laughable and unrealistic. While it’s got delightful music to complement the huge screen, it’s otherwise an unneedingly long movie that drags with boring spectacle sequences. It’s also got the other negative quirks of 1950’s cinema, such as animal cruelty, savage Indians, and a romance between a fully grown man and a very young princess in Brownface.



#93. The Greatest Show on Earth 1952

The Greatest Show on Earth has been named the worst Best Picture winner ever, and I can understand why. The selfish characters‘ overacting is bombarded with cheesy romantic dialogue, and the dated production values results in blaringly obvious green screen effects. But as pure entertainment, this rich love story reveals the circus‘ business side while wowing us with a colorful show of practical stunts with real circus acts! Not stuff you’d see in a movie theater today!



#92. Cavalcade 1933

Cavalcade is certainly a well-intended survey of the turn of the 20th Century, as it is somewhat intriguing to see the rarely explored perspectives of women towards the the soldiers in war. While it’s easy to see why it was loved at the time of release, it has aged horribly: the acting is way too theatrical to be believable, and the writing is unbelievably hollow. There is no heart or imagination anywhere in this overly dramatic Americanized look at British history.



#91. The Great Ziegfeld 1936

This overly dramatic product of its time is one of the most inaccurate biopics you’ll ever see, with some annoying acting full of distractingly awful accents. Ultimately, The Great Ziegfeld is all about the musical numbers, but even then, they just drag on and on. Still though, while the entertainment throughout is hit or miss, there’s a wickedly awesome dance by Ray Bolger, and the pre-intermission number, “A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody“ is a real extravagant showstopper!



​#90. Green Book 2018

It's a well meaning true story that is full of funny moments that make you feel good in the end. But that's basically it about Green Book; this painfully mediocre film is otherwise an extraordinarily bland biopic that barely scratches the surface of the serious issues it wants to talk about. Not to mention it features a wife with almost no personality and Viggo Mortensen's really bad Italian accent. Click here to read my full movie review.



#89. Out of Africa 1985

​I’m completely baffled how this bland normalization of Black slavery and animal poaching won Best Picture. There is some okay acting, but the Black actors and Meryl Streep somehow show less personality than any of the animals that are filmed just to tempt me to ride through the African Savannah myself. However, despite its perspective shown of what men expected of women back in the day, such a film that romanticizes an adulterous affair is not worth the trouble.



#88. Argo 2012

Wow, how did this painfully average White saviour biopic win the top prize?! Although Argo is great when looking at it as a product of its time, with rapid-fire editing that escalates the crisis well, as topped by a solid Alan Arkin performance. But otherwise, this film’s bad screenplay is chocked full of unlikable characters without any real depth to them, and most of the actors portraying their fictionalized accounts look bored most of the time. Please give this one a pass.



#87. The Sound of Music 1965

I’m sorry, but the incredibly cheesy and historically inaccurate The Sound of Music is so overrated. While the music does make you feel happy, it gets boring when nobody’s singing, since the characters are so void of realism. But it’s still a pleasurable watch that anyone can find something in to love. There’s a great message about fatherhood, the enormous set pieces feel highly authentic, and the performances are solid enough to get you singing along to each famous tune.


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#86. The Life of Emile Zola 1937

​This biopic has a strong message of exposing flaws in social order through writing still relevant today, but otherwise, The Life of Emile Zola is a ridiculous drama full of overacting. The characters are pretty awful too, as too many of them are difficult to connect with, and the female characters get told lots of old sexist remarks, such as how it’s improper for a woman to read. Yeah, that along with the Styrofoam sets proves how this old winner hasn’t aged well!

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#85. Titanic 1997

​Titanic earns its popularity with an authentic love for the historic ship. James Cameron knew how to root the events deep into the historical struggles of the time, as surfacey as he treats them, with lots of famous moments that you can’t help but smile at. But at the same time, the romantic leads are deeply unlikable with little motivation to back them up, and the foreign accents are pretty unconvincing. So is this legendary blockbuster overpraised? You bet it is.


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#84. Shakespeare in Love 1998

​I honestly would have to agree that Saving Private Ryan is the more sensical movie over Shakespeare in Love. The selfish nature of the two leads makes it hard to love their shallow adulterous romance; although you certainly feel their intense lust for one another, the character development is poor. But there are plenty good attributes too, as the quality performances and detailed visuals set the feel of watching a play, which stands as a wonderful tribute to other artists.
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#83. The English Patient 1996

No real personal investment went into the making of The English Patient; he is pompous, she is despicable, and this type of story overall works best in writing. Although, a good enough effort was made in the research of recreating the WWII setting, particularly with the use of music and literature. The film also has a stunning, dusty look to it, and the two leads have such natural chemistry with one another. It’s far from perfect but at least it’s trying, even if too much.



#82. Oliver! 1968

As a musical, it works fine. Oliver‘s fun songs are strengthened by delightful details in the construction of 19th century London, plus some solid performances here and there. But compared to the other, better musicals of the time, this one is just a blandly edited piece without anything particularly memorable about it, as its lack of any real story pushes the passive protagonist to low-stake circumstances. Not to mention the boy’s high-pitched singing voice is hard to listen to.



#81. Gigi 1958

​At the time of its release, I’m sure Gigi was a profound commentary on the materialistic view of Parisian romance, as well as being a colorful date movie that charms and refreshes. But looking at it now with a 21st century lens, it’s nothing more than an Americanized depiction of Paris held up by pathetically weak staging of songs and a pretty disturbing set of plot elements. Not to mention it's got horrible blue-screen effects and the tint of the film often changes. 


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#80. Tom Jones 1963

Tom Jones opens promising with its fun satirical opening that parodies silent films, accompanied by a dainty keyboard, but after that, it gradually falls south. While it’s still got plenty of decent acting to support the nice recreation of the period, this forgotten Best Picture winner suffers from unlikable characters who are incredibly distanced by unnecessary fourth wall breaks. Not to mention the editing and cinematography are so obnoxiously overdone in a boring deer chase.



​#79. CODA 2021

There are some sweet moments that show what it's like for a hearing girl to be raised in a family of all deaf people, and shows so much appreciation for what music does for the soul. Yet CODA still proves to be rather problematic in the way the parents are written, they take advantage of their daughter and manipulate her, making them both entirely unlikable characters. Although the performances by both Troy Kotsur (who won for this role) and Marlee Matlin (who should have been nominated) are still both great! You can read my full review here.



#78. Grand Hotel 1932

This early winner does have a nice balance of its multiple subplots, featuring some nice low key lighting and a couple of decent performances. Although Grand Hotel has no real timelessness to it, as now from a 21st century lens it’s just silly and unexciting. Greta Garbo looks stunning as ever in her elaborate outfits, but her acting is so overly theatircal its cringeworthy. You should be glad then that Wes Anderson has lately made his own, better version with a timeless vision.



#77. Cimarron 1931

Cimarron sure could use a remake, let me tell you. The first thing you’ll notice about this oldie is its blatant racism towards Blacks and Natives, but while experiencing this film, you’ll also notice some laughably over the top acting that is made all the worse by horrible sound quality, even by 1931 standards. But even so, some supporting performances are rather compelling, and its recreation of Oklahoma’s establishment as a state is intriguing to both men and women.



#76. The Broadway Melody 1929

Only the second movie ever to win Best Picture, The Broadway Melody is understandably forgotten. The very dated look of the overall image is all over the place with its sound quality, which along with its unlikable lead characters makes this a movie not really made to appeal to anybody. At least the look of Broadway in the roaring 20’s is kind of fun, complete with some decent songs and some smart dialogue, and who could overlook the colorful fashions of the era?



#75. All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

All Quiet on the Western Front is a testament to all the men who fought in WWI, and utilizes its telling to empower men of all ages through the faithful recreation of bombs in the battlefield. Sometimes the acting in this oldie is okay, but for the most part, it just comes off as cheesy, ridiculous, and even a little offensive towards German women. But the dated nature aside, this whole early epic ends with one of the most unforgettable closing images in all of cinema.


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#74. It Happened One Night 1934

The first movie to win all five key categories at the Oscars (picture, director, actor, actress, and screenplay), It Happened One Night stands as an example of how a comedy should be made. Being over eighty years old, the look has obviously aged badly, but the sleazy cast puts their best foot forward in creating a subtle yet hilarious enveloping of a real-feeling romance. Amazing how that famous hitchhiking scene can still split sides in laughter by today’s tastes!



#73. My Fair Lady 1964

This “loverly“ musical classic certainly left its mark on Hollywood thanks to the stunning Audrey Hepburn. Although it’s worth addressing that My Fair Lady shows its age through the jittery editing and drawn out musical segments in very obvious studio sets—not to mention Audrey’s over-the-top accent. Even so, as her lovable brat of a character is constantly treated like a dog, it offers a strong changing point from the 1960’s mindset that men are superior to women.



#72. An American in Paris 1951

This celebration of Hollywood’s golden age of musicals is indeed fresh in its colors that pop out of the screen. But An American in Paris particularly suffers from a boring romance between an unlikable protagonist and a terrible actress who are just there for the now dated musical numbers that just drag on and on. Even so, there is a delightful charm in this classic musical, as everyone of all ages will have fun seeing the bits in this movie that later went on to inspire La La Land!



#71. The Last Emperor ​1987

This is one of those movies that tries to be huge with its bold contrast of colors, but you can still tell pretty easily that The Last Emperor was made in the 1980’s. With its casual showing of performers in blackface and the awful kid actors, this otherwise educational movie gets more boring as it goes along. Even so, its crisp direction handles a man’s entire life well, and is of course a delight to watch for the colors, not to mention it’s got some great roaring 20’s music!


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#70. Gentleman's Agreement 1947

Gentleman’s Agreement has an interesting argument about America‘s definition of religion, as told by a Christian pretending to be a Jew in a journalism environment. Overall the performances in this acting-heavy drama are relatively forgetful, including the Oscar-winning performance by Celeste Holm. It’s clear why it won Best Picture due to its look past America’s burdens, but not enough drama or tension is made to leave any lasting effect by today’s standards.



#69. Ben-Hur 1959

It’s got the quirks of other cheesy historical epics of the time: overly dramatic acting and White-washing with actors in “Brown face,“ to name just a couple. But still, with a majestic, heavenly musical score to boost, Ben-Hur has several impactful scenes such as the very intense scene rowing of the war boat and the famous chariot race where you’re afraid to blink. But even that is nothing compared to the powerful Jesus scenes that are of tremendous moral value to all viewers.



#68. Mutiny on the Bounty 1935

As most historically inaccurate epics tend to go, Mutiny on the Bounty has plenty of strengths and several weaknesses that could shut some viewers off. Its age for certain shows with the bad costumes, sound, and film editing, and much of the acting stinks. But on the positive side, a few of the actors manage to pull out effective performances, which helps make this seasick experience as its tension and conflict gives the feel of a very different war movie.



#67. You Can't Take it With You 1938

Even though the cast unpleasantly features an overacting Russian, there is plenty of nice drama within this family of wild personality. Although time has not been kind to it, as this oddly structured attack on the taxing system feels too much like a TV sitcom without the emotive music. But still, You Can’t Take it With You gives off some of the best theatrical-sounding dialogue of the 1930s, guaranteeing sporadic moments of big laughter from all viewers.



#66. The French Connection 1971

The French Connection feels like a Hollywood classic that became one just because of one scene: the car chase scene shot from a first person perspective. Indeed, that scene is intense as it makes you feel put in its place. Otherwise, this very much dated cop thriller is very by the numbers by today’s standards, and it’s not so easy to care about what’s happening. But it at least has some decent performances here and there, and that heavy cello musical score is epic!



#65. The Sting 1973

A majority of Best Picture winners have aged horrendously, and The Sting is one of them. With its distracting editing techniques with a made-for-TV look to the production, this can come off as a boring study of something so few people can understand. But if you can understand it, then I’m sure you could appreciate its clever social commentary as to what it was like in 1930s Chicago, as told through some sharp dialogue, cunning performances, and a fun musical score.


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#64. The Lost Weekend 1945

The Lost Weekend is certainly a dated movie that doesn’t use all its characters to their full potential. It also forces you too often to suspend your disbelief as it shows some pathetic special effects. But this still should serve as an unforgettable viewing experience that really makes alcohol addiction look dangerous in the way it affects others. Not to mention it also has solid acting uplifted by natural sounding dialogue, plus an incredible nearly alien musical score!



#63. How Green Was My Valley 1941

Everyone remembers How Green Was My Valley as the film that beat Citizen Kane for Best Picture. Maybe it was undeserved, but John Ford’s Welsh epic is still beautiful in scope with is direct, timely social message. Although the acting is also overdone for the most part and underuses its incredible coal mine setting. But still, this cold, nicely narrated look through a boy’s eyes as told through the stories of the adults in his life is worth at least a one-time watch.



#62. Wings 1928

Winner at the first ever Oscars ceremony, and one of only two silent features to win, Wings is a faithful recreation of the WWI aviator pilots. By the time it’s over, this strongly acted love story lifts the spirits, even more so when viewed in its intended sepia-tone. However, being the first ever winner, its age certainly shows, mainly by the stationary camera movements and obvious studio sets. I honestly would love to see this oldie remade with today’s technology!

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#61. Gone With the Wind 1939

With a near-documentary approach, this legendary feature offers highs and lows in an unforgettable emotional journey that makes you miraculously feel the heartbreak for selfish lead characters. Although its age certainly shows, particularly in its near four-hour runtime as well as its production quality and depiction of Black speech. But you know what has aged well in Gone With the Wind? The phenomenal Oscar winning cast, especially by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.



#60. Lawrence of Arabia 1962

Lawrence of Arabia, which is at the top of everyone’s “best“ list, is not really for everyone. The Arab parts are played with White actors in obvious brown makeup, and there is not a single female to be found anywhere. Yet the scope of this finely-acted picture makes you feel placed within the rich conflict between this struggling union. Peter O’Toole pulls off his lead performance with such a calming, challenged presence that makes this experience all the more authentic.
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#59. From Here to Eternity 1953

Besides the iconic shot on the beach, From Here to Eternity gives a great study of the WWII soldiers‘ lustful intentions when they’re surrounded by the culture of Hawaiians. Although it’s still a product of its time: the Japanese are primarily referred to as “Japs,“ and the green screen effects look awful. Even if it was made today, the way it beautifies a romantic affair is upright disturbing. But still, it’s worth watching just for the intense, heavy climax when Pearl Harbor is bombed.



#58. Chicago 2002

I don’t know how this managed to win against The Pianist. I certainly understand the Academy’s love for this celebration of jazz’s golden age, as well as its successful modernization of the musical genre. But in the end, it still prioritizes the showstopping numbers over telling an actual story. I should also add that this “story“ blatantly encourages women to kill their partners for fame and fortune. So long story short, Chicago is plenty of fun, but too irresponsible to enjoy.



#57. The Artist 2011

This accurate depiction of silent era of Hollywood knows how to play creatively with the concept of not talking. The Artist does a creative spin on being a silent black-and-white film by allowing the music to tell you everything as the 4:3 aspect ratio sets the stage. Although it’s shallow in its romance as it’s led by a stupid jerk for a protagonist, this gimmick otherwise works splendidly with its happy ending. Not to mention that dog is so stinking cute!



#56. The Apartment 1960

This is certainly a product of its time, full of negative stereotypes that even go as far as briefly showing a Black servant. Although despite its clear datedness, The Apartment still earns its reputation as classic cinema with a Best Picture Oscar for the way it shows the humanity of the late 50’s working class. Even then, its social commentary is still just the side-show compared to the sweet, charming romance handled by the tremendous performances of nearly the entire cast.



#55. The Best Years of Our Lives 1946

The Best Years of Our Lives is one of those profound works that knows how to balance the ups and downs of a very depressing subject matter. While it suffers from weak dialogue that talks about “Japs,“ this study of WWII soldiers returning to their homes is anchored by showing something timeless: what it’s like to be physically disabled. Ultimately, give it a watch, and you’ll be guaranteed to grasp a stronger understanding of PTSD and how to aid it.



#54. Going My Way 1944

It’s certainly one of the more forgotten Best Picture winners for a reason, it’s very much dated without enough justified reason to care about what happens. But Going My Way is not without an excellent creation of what the catholic church was like in the 1940s, presented in a way that makes you feel sucked into the culture of the time. But you’ll most likely remember the immortal magical voice of Bing Crosby, who delivers the love and fun that was lost since that time passed.



#53. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ​2003

This powerful conclusion to the trilogy demonstrates how well Peter Jackson can direct actors on a battlefield in a way that makes you never want to stop watching. Even if the technical elements are still just as bad as the previous two movies, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King always commands your attention. Yet its abuse of teasing you with “multiple endings“ is a logical complaint, as it focuses too much on the wrong story components. Though the finale does give us the career-best performance of the late Ian Holm- despite his tiny amount of screentime!



#52. The King's Speech 2010

The King’s Speech arguably features Colin Firth’s absolutely best performance. He, along with the conversational screenplay, allows you to feel exactly how the king feels, even if the events depicted are not very accurate to what happened. It’s also pretty emotionally manipulative towards Oscar voters, which makes the backlash understandable. But still, this definitely deserves to be watched for director Tom Hooper’s striking use of cropping his actors! 



#51. Braveheart 1995

Many have criticized Braveheart for its blatant disrespect to William Wallace’s legacy, and I agree that this fact is worth taking into account. But as a whole, this pro-war epic is three expertly paced hours of pure Scottish pride, run by the inspirational heartbeat of the sparsely used war sequences. This truly is the ultimate manly man’s movie, especially when you’re looking to be caught up in tears by the last few moments—thanks to that miraculous James Horner score!



#50. Hamlet 1948

As far as the works of William Shakespeare go, you either love it or hate it. If you’re on the positive end of the spectrum, you’ll love Laurence Olivier’s faithful adaptation of Hamlet, which recreates the historical setting with the famous story’s moral left unscathed. But if you’re not a Shakespeare fan, you’ll more likely be bored out of your mind by the obviously not real set pieces, flat black-and-white cinematography, overly theatrical acting, and the uneven sound quality.



#49. West Side Story 1961

It feels just like a live musical, even if a little too much like one, West Side Story rightfully earns its title as one of Hollywood’s most iconic musicals. It’s still got the usual flaws, such as the surface level romance and the dance numbers that are dragged on too long, but the rich characterizations of the Jets and Sharks really help you feel the heat of their rivalry until the powerful finale wretches your heart to set a more mature tone for what a popular musical can compose.


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#48. A Beautiful Mind 2001

Okay, so the misleading skewing of historical facts is problematic, that I can agree upon. But as the well-written A Beautiful Mind carries on, any man will be inspired knowing of this brilliant Nobel Prize winner, struck by the sympathetic trauma of schizophrenia. Russell Crowe works phenomenally in his awards-worthy performance, and the emotional ups and downs that he goes through makes this warm feature worth the investment.



#47. The Bridge on the River Kwai 1957

The Bridge on the River Kwai is an interesting reinterpretation of history despite its treatment of “Japs,“ as it likes to call them. It certainly shows its age due to some laughable action scenes and acting from the excessively handsome British actors. But its critical praise is easily understood: time is taken to develop its characters, and it knows how to inspire with a valuable message as it all ends in an exciting, unforgettable climax. Also, who can forget that catchy whistle tune?



#46. Mrs. Miniver 1942

As a wartime drama made smack in the middle of WWII, Mrs. Miniver treats its subject matter with upmost respect. While it is absolutely dated in its lengthy runtime, it still makes up for its overly lighthearted tone with some exceptional actors who appeal to the romantic side of everyone. But best of all, it ends with a church scene so inspiring that we would all, whether in a war ourselves or a spectator, feel the protection needed by what we have at arm’s reach.



#45. Nomadland 2020

The movie may not even have a story much at all, but Nomadland makes up for that with its powerful sense of visual storytelling. The entire film is made to look like a postcard highlighting the grand American frontier from the point-of-view of those whose living circumstances, while not ideal for others, help them slow down and appreciate it. It helps also that all the actors playing the nomads alongside Frances McDormand weren't even actors at all- but real nomads! Click here to read my full review.



#44. A Man for All Seasons 1966

A Man for All Seasons is an important story to hear about; the way Sir Thomas More stood up to an entire religious council. This man is a profound Christ figure whose tale is told effectively through accurate design of the era. Although be warned: the acting has not aged well, the actress who plays his daughter is incredibly bland, and Robert Shaw is just goofy as King Henry VIII. But still, this film has a nice progress of the seasons, especially when viewed through a window!



#43. Casablanca 1943

Probably the most famous of all Best Picture winners, Casablanca feels like a true prison in its setting as it creates such a relatable circumstance of heartbreak and conflicting emotions. Although it’s not even close to one of the best, as many actors have bad accents in this world full of obvious matte paintings make getting to America the end goal. But despite its dated concepts, other elements about the characterizations, such as the acting, hold up pretty dang well.



#42. Crash 2005

Crash is not anywhere near as bad as many people say that it is. Sure it’s got its blaring issues such as the unconvincing acting, plot conveniences, and weak cinematography, but as the film goes on, lots of really great scenes set some great tension that anyone can relate to. With its cold, dark atmosphere that deconstructs the culture of Los Angeles, it offers a much wider survey of the truth that the diverse population has turned into after 9/11 hurt our ability to communicate.



#41. All the King's Men 1949

It’s still your typical product of the late 1940s with its clearly dated production values, not to mention it’s got a few problems that include a forced love story. But for the most part, All the King’s Men is an attentive behind-the-scenes look of governor campaigning and how it corrupts everyone involved. Director Robert Rossen places every element in the frame with purpose as he illustrates how nothing will ever change about politicians, even after seventy years.



#40. Rebecca 1940

Rebecca admittedly shows its age a little with some brief offensive stereotypes toward the French, but everything else about this underrated Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece displays the very best of his craft. This earlier effort in his resume hits you hard as the mystery unveils from plot twist to plot twist, as delivered by a tremendous cast. This also shows the more romantic side of Hitchcock in his realistic look of high-class marriage from the point of view of a detective thriller.



#39. All About Eve 1950

Most of the technical elements, particularly Anne Baxter’s acting, has aged pretty badly, but All About Eve, while not for everyone, is certainly lavish with a clever narrative approach. Most of the actors put plenty of personality into their performances, complete with very brief, subtle doses of humor that works together to make this picture feel just like a stage play. And who could ever forget Bette Davis‘ iconic, “Fasten your seatbelts: it’s going to be a bumpy night!“



#38. Patton 1970

I give Patton kudos to its opening scene: George C. Scott’s depiction of the WWII general is one of the most compelling on-screen performances ever, and it sets off the shifting authority for his character all throughout this timely biopic. Although it’s hard to care about this overly masculine near-three hour feature, as it glamorizes Patton’s hatred towards other countries, which makes the otherwise well-choreographed war sequences somehow less impressive.



#37. Gladiator 2000

Aside from the fact that it's very inaccurate to history, Ridley Scott's epic is still a tremendously spiritual sight to behold! The expertly choreographed battle sequences know how to grasp your attention and keep it until the resolution hits, and it is all done to depict the might of Rome as personified by Maximus Decimus Meridius: the ideal leader that will continue to go on and inspire viewers for generations. Click here to read my full movie review of Gladiator.



#36. Schindler's List 1993

Steven Spielberg outdid himself with the documentary look he creates to make you feel the cold predicament of the holocaust. While research proves that Schindler’s List is pretty dang unfaithful to what really happened, lots of care goes into the details of this strongly acted showcase of creative, memorable imagery. It’s certainly a test to sit through at over three hours long, but no doubt will it naturally make you realize the value of just one life amidst six million.



#35. Slumdog Millionaire 2008

Full of rich cinematography and a stellar soundtrack that mixes old and new Indian music genres, Slumdog Millionaire gives a compelling narrative structure that shows the roughness of living in the Mumbai slums. While it does easily guilt-trip you into caring about a boy who selfishly gets what he wants, this expertly directed initiation of Bollywood popularity in the US makes it easy for you to care about what is going on in that part of the world right now.



#34. Marty 1955

Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair both simply light up in the very low-scale Marty. While their accents are a bit on the offensive side, the portrayal of a New York Italian family is treated with real intimacy that discusses a mother’s purpose when it’s time for her boy to get married. With its deceptively simple dialogue that meets the intimate level, this originally intended for TV movie depicts the lonely nature of singleness in a timeless approach that pays off in the end.



#33. The Silence of the Lambs 1991

It is well known for Anthony Hopkins‘ creepy portrayal of the famous serial killer, but so many other aspects of The Silence of the Lambs are remarkable, such as the use of closeups to place you into the tense relationship between Hannibal and Clarice, and the ability to keep you guessing until everything pays off with a boom. While I have complaints about how it labels men as horny predators, this is still a chilling experience that successfully delivers what it promises.



#32. Gandhi 1982

As long as the slow nature of Gandhi isn’t too monotone for you, then you might appreciate this feature for its masterful, perfectly acted survey of religion’s history at the turn of the 20th century, one that explores both sides of the argument in detail. Maybe it does beautify some of the great philosopher’s more questionable arguments, but Ben Kingsley truly invigorates the peaceful nature of this picture, as the complex historical figure flows naturally out of himself.



#31. Chariots of Fire 1981

The three main actors are not very good, almost everything seen in this biopic is made up, but Chariots of Fire can still prove itself to be valuable viewing with an important message that everyone needs to hear. The careful direction allows all the characters to grow in the amount of dimension written around their situations, and done in a fashion that makes you feel transported into the time and place, particularly the social issues of the time. Just try not to fall asleep to it.



#30. No Country for Old Men 2007

The Coen Brothers prove their craft at fixing your eyes upon their masterpiece No Country for Old Men, as time is given to delve deep into every man in this character study. With little to no sound used aside from Tommy Lee Jones’ raspy narration, you’ll feel thrown into the Texan-Mexican border where bloodbaths are a regular sight. I don’t like how we’re set to root for the thief, as it hurts the sheriff’s story arc, but it still challenges your thoughts about where we’re at today.



#29. Million Dollar Baby 2004

Morgan Freeman narrates the ultimate girl power flick, Million Dollar Baby. Hilary Swank hands down deserved her Oscar for her hard-edged free spirit she depicts within this touching father-daughter-ish relationship; one that director Clint Eastwood strengthened with a heart-wretching backstory. He is guilty here of misrepresenting the Catholic church, but most to all levels of society are treated fairly as he grasps us through his well-choreographed view of boxing.



#28. In the Heat of the Night 1967

The 1960s were packed with timely racial satires, and In the Heat of the Night is a textbook example on how to do it right without coming off as preachy. Although its production values make it feel a bit too much like a made-for-TV-special, this dialogue rich FBI drama reveals the delicacy of both the victims and the perpetrators; tension made all the stronger by how leads Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier play off of each other as their characters' relationship unfolds.



#27. Spotlight 2015

It’s simply brilliant to see the long months of hard investigation the underappreciated Spotlight team put in to uncover these slowly developing answers to the 2001 Boston Priest scandal. Director Tom McCarthy stages the production with such a tense humanity that keeps you fully ingested. The stories of the survivors and readers of the Globe are relatively underused, but based on what we do learn, it creates a pleasant restoration of faith to a seemingly stable humanity.



#26. Rocky 1976

Aside from just kicking off one of the longest running franchises in Hollywood’s history, Rocky is also a well-performed study that just uses boxing, as exciting as it is in the climax, as a catalyst for the film’s true theme: self-esteem. There’s still the flaws that show this movie’s age, such as the famous training montage that is now just extremely cheesy, the direction is still top-notch as its creative framing choices give excellent way to express Rocky’s big-hearted character.



#25. Midnight Cowboy 1969

It’s the only X-rated movie to win Best Picture, which means there’s plenty of sex, stealing, and getting high in this debbie-downer of a buddy movie. But you may still appreciate Midnight Cowboy for its expert performances, especially by the leading men Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, as told through a consistent TV screen motif. Every character is beautifully crafted in their conflicts with the city, leading into a powerful ending that will guarantee tears.



#24. On the Waterfront 1954

You don’t have to worry that On the Waterfront has only one female character, because she contributes so much heart into this heavy-handed social commentary, creating a believable romance for the protagonist. Even from the male’s perspective, Brando is vulnerable and compelling in this role, strengthening each new plot reveal to force your attention all the more into this society’s broken ties with the church, leading up to the devastating ending.



#23. Rain Man 1988

I will admit that Rain Man is not ideal for people who enjoy disability acceptance, but this thoughtful road movie gives a wonderful message of selflessness over greed. Dustin Hoffman’s iconic performance brings out the true nature of autism as director Barry Levinson pleases the eye with his postcard color pallette. It’s honestly worth seeing mainly for the moving character growth of Tom Cruise’s character. Click here to read my full movie review of Rain Man.

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#22. Unforgiven 1992

Clint Eastwood’s iconic revisionist western is indeed still relevant today in its carefully paced period setting that doesn’t call too much attention to its stunning scenery. With the exception of a few smaller performances, so many of the actors in Unforgiven are cunning, especially during the expertly handled tension. Although it’s not a movie for everybody, if it turns out you fall into its core audience, there’s a lot here for you to think about in regards to the life of another.



#21. Dances With Wolves 1990

This grisly survival story keeps your interest with all the right details to recreate the loss of the American frontier. Kevin Costner directs himself, the cast, the animals, and the sunlight with true integrity, particularly in the way he allows us to look past language barriers to learn one another’s ways. Although its one-sided anti-White message may be too much for some viewers, Dances With Wolves still holds up as the powerfully emotional revisionist western our world needs.


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#20. Kramer vs. Kramer 1979

This reality of divorce proves one thing through this intensely intimate study: neither mothers nor fathers are superior to the other. Kramer vs. Kramer is still fresh as forty years ago with its high stakes driven by phenomenal performances, and a drab color palette to complement a mundane atmosphere against the lovely music. If I had any complaints, it really would only be the lack of ethnic diversity and the fact that this shouldn’t have been rated PG. But that’s all.



#19. Driving Miss Daisy 1989

I get why this is one of the more forgettable winners: the music is overly dramatic and the dark lighting appears pretty amateurish. But honestly, Driving Miss Daisy uses its lovely period setting to give a calm, approachable outlook onto what racial tension was like in the 1950s/1960s. There is not one bad performance that makes up its mature depiction of race and gender roles back them, creating all these ups and downs until it ends on a well-earned touching note.



#18. Terms of Endearment 1983

Terms of Endearment gives off a good, homey vibe with humor that can appeal to both men and women. Everybody gives out the performance of their career, and the mother-daughter bond is handled with sincere reality. Although its imbalanced treatment of extramarital affairs and lack of non-White actors could shut certain people off, as long as its overly 80’s atmosphere is not bothersome, it should be one of the most personal tear-jerking experiences out there.



#17. The Shape of Water 2017

It is a weird concept: a mute janitor woman has a sexual romance with a sea creature, but everything done with it is nothing short of beautiful. Aside from creating a delicate Christ figure through something you wouldn't expect to see it in, Guillermo Del Toro's work of majesty depicts the true condition of the American dream then and now, where the heterosexual White nuclear father has caused us all to drown in our own hopes and ambitions. Click here to read my full movie review of The Shape of Water.

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#16. Amadeus 1984

Aside from some misleading facts to historical truth, Amadeus is what I would call a perfect movie. This unique perspective of the time and era intrigues with a grand variety of musical numbers, as well as a behind the scenes look at the politics and religion that influenced its art. Between each gloriously candlelit scene, the expert performances by the whole cast grasps you until the hardhitting climax, and in a way that will make you want to run back and learn more. Click here to read my full movie review of Amadeus.

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#15. Parasite ​2019

Now the first ever foreign language film to win Best Picture, Parasite is that rare feature film that can easily entertain both hardcore cinema lovers and those who enjoy mindless popcorn entertainment. You never know what's going to happen next as this poor family leeches off a rich family to gain the South Korean dream, and what ultimately happens opens up the disturbing truths about the country, the world, and you. Click here to read my full review.



#14. Annie Hall 1977

Woody Allen's masterpiece, Annie Hall gives a brutally truthful look at a romance that puts the director/writer/lead actor's comedic background to great use! Right from the transparent opening monologue to each of the little episodes the two wonderful leads take us through, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll even hate yourself a little, and you will not walk away the same person after watching this. Before you ask: yes. This definitely deserved to win over Star Wars.



#13. Platoon 1986

Oliver Stone sure put his experience in Vietnam to good use in Platoon! Although not necessarily a movie for anyone who can’t relate to being in war, the effective acting comes together to help all the soldiers to feel real as they fight each other when they should be fighting the war. The music and special effects could have been better, but the hazy feel of the landscapes bring out all the proper disturbing sights of the Vietnam War with just the right dose of heart.



#12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 1975

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has got to be one of the best casted films ever with one of the best uses of music in any film ever. With its framing through cages, you feel like you are locked in the hospital as powerful conflict builds between the mental patients. If there’s anything this does wrong, it’s the one-sided bash against authority, but this feature still has its motives right as it heavily moves you with one of the most impactful endings you’ll ever see.



#11. Forrest Gump 1994

One of my personal absolute favorites, the only flaw I can really find in Forrest Gump is how frequently it forces you to suspend your disbelief. But otherwise, this inspirational coverage of the entire 1950s-1980s of the US utilizes the best of classic American imagery with a perfectly selected soundtrack, complete with Tom Hanks‘ undoubtedly best performance. This beautiful crowdpleaser has barely aged a day!



#10. The Departed 2006

The Departed features all of Martin Scorsese’s well-loved quirks: quick pace, rapid-fire dialogue, an awesome soundtrack, and a neat look into the unholy world he recreates. While the script still falls into the trap of stereotypes and plot conveniences, it still gives an intense experience between multiple expertly-balanced subplots complete with lots of love for Boston. Not to mention it gives out some super tight acting by the whole cast, especially Jack Nicholson.



​#9. Ordinary People 1980

No one really remembers this movie about a teenager who feels responsible for the death of his older “perfect“ brother, but it is absolutely painful yet beautiful to see the dramatic ups and downs of this seemingly cooperative family. Relevant to the 1980 American dream (even if a little too White) and expressive in how deep it’s willing to dig into the family tension, Ordinary People is a mastery of staging a story with the pacing and heat that hits unbearably close to home.



#8. The Deer Hunter 1978

Everyone gives a killer performance in The Deer Hunter, a personal look at the Vietnam War that quickly turns from uplifting with gorgeous mountainviews to intense with a game of roulette. With its long runtime and racist depiction of the Vietnamese, this product of its time is not for everybody. But if you can appreciate its dark humor balanced with a serious social commentary, then you will be moved by at least one character in his/her long moments of silence.



#7. The Hurt Locker 2009

You would never guess that this dusty Iraq war thriller was directed by a woman, but Kathryn Bigelow carefully crafts the tension of The Hurt Locker with a documentary style that never calls attention to itself. While this still falls into the war movie trap of writing shallow characters, it still gives an incredibly stressful look at the Iraq War which will alter your perspective. It’s also worth watching to see perhaps the most real performance of Jeremy Renner’s career!



#6. Birdman or (the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) 2014

Heated from start to finish with the way it appears to be all one single shot, Birdman is truly an experience unlike any film in existence. The ending will certainly shut off many viewers, but as the walls close in on the spitfiring imagery, every line is rich with thought, every actor natural in his or her role... it all comes together to make you feel like you are really there with them. Best of all: it’s all done to deliver a powerful message that is so relevant to today’s entertainment!



#5. Moonlight 2016

While it may be an immediate shut-off for many to see the very open life of a homosexual, especially in a film that features only one White actor (playing a police officer), this is one of the most intriguing looks into Blackness of the past decade. It’s not every day you look into a world where all Blacks casually call each other a “n*gger” as if it’s common slang, and with a visual flavor not like other motion pictures you have seen.  Click here to read my full movie review of Moonlight.



#4. The Godfather 1972

It is a celebration of Italian culture as well as an attack on the American dream. Dubbed by many as the greatest film of all time, The Godfather develops the stories of every single character with such a colorful precision that makes you feel like you’re meeting these folks in person. While the women are more one-dimensional than they had potential for, all the male performers, from Al Pacino to Marlon Brando, depict their roles with great tension that slowly allows us to side with these supposedly bad people.



#3. The Godfather Part II ​1974

This is exactly how you do a sequel: utilizing the themes from the first movie and taking things deeper. Although a bit longer than it needed to be, The Godfather Part II strengthens the family bonds of its predecessor with a phenomenal recreation of the late 50s/early 60s, unbelievable performances by the whole cast (particularly Al Pacino), mindful direction by Francis Ford Coppola, and a series of escalating events that reflect every important issue of the 1970s.



#2. American Beauty 1999

Regardless of the odd view on death, director Sam Mendes and screenwriter Alan Ball project their hauntingly true take of the 20th Century American dream onto the screen. Their fantasy thrown into reality challenges us to look past the stereotypes of success and blandness and consider what makes an American Beauty. Every individual in his story has a testament to tell related to the important message.



#1. 12 Years a Slave 2013

Wow. 12 Years a Slave is not the type of movie you are meant to forget or gloss over. Virtually everything about it is crafted to perfection: the powerful performances, the brutality in its slavery portrayal, the on-point direction that throws you off, I could go on with all the things it does right. If I had to come up with one, it’d be the unfitting electronic musical score by Hans Zimmer. Otherwise, if you can handle the hateful violence, this is an absolute necessity to see!