Uncover the most celebrated cinematic achievements with our list of the “Top 10 Best Oscar-Winning Movies.” Delve into the world of outstanding storytelling, remarkable performances, and cinematic excellence as we explore these acclaimed films.
Once a movie has won Best Picture at the Oscars, it’s essentially achieved the highest honor a movie can get (at least as far as American award shows go). People love to talk about the Academy Awards more than other award shows. It might help that the Academy’s an institution that’s been doing the Awards for close to a century at this point, or maybe it being the last of the major award shows for any given year helps as well.
Top 10 Best Oscar-Winning Movies
In the realm of cinema, the Oscars represent the highest accolade, and the Best Picture winners at the Academy Awards. These films encapsulate storytelling, direction, and performance at their zenith. In this article, we’ll embark on a journey through the finest Oscar-winning movies that have graced the silver screen.
1. Schindler’s List (1993)
Schindler’s List is a 1993 American historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Zaillian. This film is based on the 1982 novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally. It tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust. The film stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ben Kingsley as Schindler’s Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern, and Ralph Fiennes as Amon Göth, the sadistic commandant of the Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp.
Schindler’s List is a powerful and moving film that depicts the horrors of the Holocaust in unflinching detail. It is also a story of hope and redemption, as Schindler risks his own life to save the lives of others. The film is beautifully shot and acted, and Spielberg’s direction is masterful.
2. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy. This film is based on Mario Puzo’s best-selling 1969 novel of the same name. The film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, and Diane Keaton. The story, spanning from 1945 to 1955, chronicles the Corleone family under patriarch Vito Corleone (Brando), focusing on the transformation of his youngest son, Michael Corleone (Pacino), from reluctant family outsider to ruthless mafia boss.
The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. It is praised for its direction, screenplay, acting, cinematography, editing, and score. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $286 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1972. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Puzo and Coppola.
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 epic fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson and written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Jackson. It is the third and final installment in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and is based on the 1955 novel The Return of the King, the third volume of the novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. The film stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and Andy Serkis.
The film follows the hobbit Frodo Baggins and his companions on their quest to destroy the One Ring, an evil artifact created by the Dark Lord Sauron. The Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, the only place it can be melted. Meanwhile, Aragorn, the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, must claim his birthright and lead the Free Peoples of Middle-earth in a final battle against Sauron’s forces.
4. Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. It is based on the unproduced stage play Everybody Comes to Rick’s by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison. The film tells the story of Rick Blaine, an American expatriate who runs a nightclub in Casablanca, French Morocco, during World War II. Blaine is forced to choose between his love for a woman, Ilsa Lund, and his desire to help her husband, Victor Laszlo, escape from the Nazis.
Casablanca is one of the most beloved and iconic films of all time. It is praised for its witty dialogue, memorable characters, and romantic storyline.
5. Gone with the Wind (1939)
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American epic historical drama film directed by Victor Fleming and produced by Selznick International Pictures. It is based on the 1936 novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell. The film stars Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, a Southern belle who struggles to survive the Civil War and Reconstruction. Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, and Hattie McDaniel also star in supporting roles.
Gone with the Wind is one of the most popular and successful films of all time. It was a critical and commercial success upon its release, grossing over $390 million worldwide (equivalent to over $7 billion today). The film won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress for Leigh, and Best Supporting Actress for McDaniel.
6. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 epic biographical drama film directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel. It is based on the life of T.E. Lawrence, a British officer who helped to lead the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The film stars Peter O’Toole as Lawrence, Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal, and Omar Sharif as Sherif Ali.
Lawrence of Arabia is a visually stunning film with epic scope and scale. It features some of the most iconic scenes in cinema history, such as Lawrence’s camel ride across the desert and the attack on Aqaba. The film is also notable for its groundbreaking special effects and its large ensemble cast, which includes some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
7. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 American psychological thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and written by Ted Tally. This film is based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. It stars Jodie Foster as FBI agent Clarice Starling, who seeks the help of imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to catch another serial killer.
The Silence of the Lambs is a masterful psychological thriller that explores the dark side of the human psyche. It is a suspenseful and chilling film with complex and unforgettable characters. Foster and Hopkins give iconic performances, and Demme’s direction is superb.
8. The Godfather Part II (1974)
The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy and Coppola, based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. It is the sequel to 1972’s The Godfather and stars Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, and Lee Strasberg. The film intercuts two stories: one chronicles the rise of Vito Corleone (De Niro), the patriarch of the Corleone family, from his childhood in Sicily to his rise to power in New York City; the other follows Michael Corleone (Pacino), as he struggles to maintain control of the family business and deal with the consequences of his actions in the first film.
The Godfather Part II is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and is considered to be one of the few sequels that surpasses the original. It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $48 million worldwide (equivalent to over $300 million today). The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor for De Niro, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Coppola and Puzo.
9. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont. This film is based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), and becomes instrumental in a money-laundering operation led by the prison warden.
The Shawshank Redemption is a powerful and moving film that explores themes of hope, friendship, and redemption. It is a beautifully shot and acted film, with masterful direction from Darabont. Robbins and Freeman give iconic performances, and their chemistry is one of the highlights of the film.
10. Parasite (2019)
Parasite is a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller film directed by Bong Joon-ho. Bong Joon-ho also co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won. It stars Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Park So-dam, Choi Woo-shik, and Park Myung-hoon. The film follows the Kim family, a poor household who schemes to become employed by the wealthy Park family by infiltrating their household and posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals.
Parasite is a masterful film that explores themes of social inequality, class struggle, and capitalism. It is a suspenseful and thrilling film with complex and unforgettable characters. Bong Joon-ho’s direction is superb, and the film is beautifully shot and edited.
FAQs
Q. Are these the only great Oscar-winning movies?
No, there are many more outstanding Oscar-winning films. But these are considered some of the best due to their significant impact on cinema.
Q. Which movie won the most Oscars?
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” holds the record for the most Oscar wins, with 11 Academy Awards.
Q. Is winning an Oscar the ultimate recognition for a movie?
While an Oscar is a prestigious honor, a film’s impact on culture and its lasting legacy also matter.
Q. Why are older movies like “Casablanca” and “Gone with the Wind” still relevant today?
These films possess timeless themes and exceptional storytelling that continue to resonate with audiences.
Q. What does it take to make a great Oscar-winning movie?
It requires exceptional storytelling, direction, acting, and often, a message that resonates with the audience.
Q. How can I watch these classic Oscar-winning movies?
Many of these films are available on popular streaming platforms or can be purchased or rented through digital services.
Conclusion
The world of cinema has been enriched by these top 10 Oscar-winning movies. From epic tales of power and betrayal to heartwarming stories of love and hope. From the realm of fantasy and imagination to the exploration of historical events and biographical dramas.
As we explore these cinematic masterpieces, we not only celebrate the art of filmmaking but also the ability of storytelling to touch our hearts, inspire our minds, and bring us together as a global audience. The enduring legacy of these films is a testament to the timeless power of storytelling on the silver screen.
