Top 84 Best Picture Winners Ever

74. Shakespeare in Love (1998 − 71st Best Picture Winner)
Plot: Romantic (fictional) comedy-drama follows William Shakespeare’s developing love affair while writing Romeo and Juliet.
Why It’s Great: Not sure if we would have given Shakespeare in Love the nod over Saving Private Ryan in 1999, but it is a solid comedy and delightful escapism as opposed to the latter which is horrific and unforgettable. Elizabeth, Life Is Beautiful and The Thin Red Line were the other contestants, and we’ll choose Shakespeare over those any day.
Oscar Wins: 7
Budget: $25 million ($34.237 million)
IMDB User Rating: 7.2
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73. Chariots of Fire (1981 − 54th Best Picture Winner)
Plot: Two British runners – one Jewish, one Christian – compete at the 1924 Olympics.
Why It’s Great: This may not be one for an action movie culture, but if you’re feeling spiritual, then you’ll definitely want to pop this one in, as it asks some thought-provoking questions for anyone who believes in something. Very character-driven film, so it’s something you have to be in the mood for, but if you are, it’s time well-spent. Other nominees at the 1982 ceremony included Atlantic City, On Golden Pond, Reds and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Oscar Wins: 4
Budget: $4.756 million ($11.585 million)
IMDB User Rating: 7.2
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72. An American in Paris (1951 − 24th Best Picture Winner)
Plot: A trio of buddies look for work in Paris. Two get caught up with the same girl.
Why It’s Great: Great music and dance numbers highlight an otherwise passably enjoyable tale. “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and “Embraceable You” are the standouts. Other nominees: Decision Before Dawn, A Streetcar Named Desire, A Place in the Sun and Quo Vadis.
Oscar Wins: 6
Budget: $2.723 million ($23.257 million)
IMDB User Rating: 7.2
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71. Gentleman’s Agreement (1947 − 20th Best Picture Winner)
Plot: A reporter passes himself off as Jewish and cuts to the heart of antisemitism in NYC.
Why It’s Great: Gentleman’s Agreement was controversial at the time and remains a bold comment on bigotry of all kinds. It was nominated for eight awards, and won the top honor over competition like The Bishop’s Wife, Miracle on 34th Street, Great Expectations and another film that tackled antisemitism, Crossfire.
Oscar Wins: 3
Budget: $2 million ($19.867 million)
IMDB User Rating: 7.3
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70. The Life of Emile Zola (1937 − 10th Best Picture Winner)
Plot: Bio-pic of activist writer Emile Zola, who calls out his own government for the false conviction of a military captain.
Why It’s Great: Zola was a ballsy guy, who (rightfully) questioned authority, and Paul Muni’s portrayal of him is nothing short of outstanding. The first film to receive ten nominations, this won against The Awful Truth, Captains Courageous, The Good Earth, In Old Chicago, Dead End, Lost Horizon, 100 Men and a Girl, A Star Is Born and Stage Door.
Oscar Wins: 3
Budget: Data unavailable
IMDB User Rating: 7.3
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69. Going My Way (1944 − 17th Best Picture Winner)
Plot: A young Roman Catholic clergyman wins over a gang of kids and his traditionalist Father Superior.
Why It’s Great: No matter what you think of today’s Catholic Church, it’s hard not to like your main character when he’s played by Bing Crosby. Going My Way is a fun bit of escapism from a simpler time. Just go with it. Other nominees in 1944 included Double Indemnity, Gaslight, Since You Went Away and Wilson.
Oscar Wins: 7
Budget: Data unavailable
IMDB User Rating: 7.3
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68. Terms of Endearment (1983 − 56th Best Picture Winner)
Plot: Tearjerker depicting the combative yet loving relationship of a mother and daughter, tested and ultimately strengthened through terminal illness.
Why It’s Great: Terms of Endearment is weepy without ever committing the sin of being overtly manipulative. The two lead actresses are largely the reason, but the source material – a novel by Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove) – helps out a lot. Other noms for the year included The Big Chill, The Dresser, The Right Stuff and Tender Mercies.
Oscar Wins: 5
Budget: $8 million ($17.78 million)
IMDB User Rating: 7.3
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67. The English Patient (1996 − 69th Best Picture Winner)
Plot: When a WWII nurse attends to a burned plane crash victim, she learns more about her patient than meets the eye.
Why It’s Great: The English Patient is a fine film, if overly long, but it should not have won Best Picture when stacked against the Coen Brothers’ superior crime-drama Fargo. Other nominees included Secrets and Lies, Shine and Jerry Maguire.
Oscar Wins: 9
Budget: $27 million ($38.206 million)
IMDB User Rating: 7.3
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66. Oliver! (1968 − 41st Best Picture Winner)
Plot: Musical film based on stage-produced remake of the Charles Dickens story.
Why It’s Great: Well, it’s okay. The musical numbers are catchy, specifically “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” and “Where is Love?” and the production values are superb. But while the film could very well have been the best of the year – Funny Girl, The Lion in Winter, Romeo and Juliet and Rachel, Rachel were also nominated – 1968 wasn’t a particularly memorable year for movies in our opinion.
Oscar Wins: 7
Budget: Data unavailable
IMDB User Rating: 7.4
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65. Driving Miss Daisy (1989 − 62nd Best Picture Winner)
Plot: Portrait of an unlikely friendship between a Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the South over a span of several years.
Why It’s Great: Driving Miss Daisy is a warm and funny film that sneaks up on you. If you’re like us, you don’t think about it much on the list of “greatest films ever made,” but then when you hear the name you instantly recall a number of specifics. It has a deceptive amount of staying power, in other words. It battled against (and defeated) Born on the Fourth of July, Dead Poets Society, Field of Dreams and My Left Foot for the Oscar.
Oscar Wins: 4
Budget: $7.5 million ($13.394 million)
IMDB User Rating: 7.4
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