Top 10 Best Oscar Winning Movies - Rolling the Reels of Excellence

Experience the gold standard of cinema from the Top 10 Best Oscar Winning Movies here and immerse yourself in these unforgettable and breathtaking Oscar Winning Movies.  

by Maivizhi A | Updated May 04, 2023

Best Oscar Winning Movies 

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are the most prestigious and highly anticipated awards in the film industry. Every year, the best and brightest filmmakers, actors, and crew members gather to celebrate the achievements of the past year in cinema. Among the most coveted awards are the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress categories.

Over the years, the Oscars have recognized some of the most iconic films ever made, and the winners of the Best Picture category are often regarded as some of the greatest films in history. From epic dramas to heartwarming comedies, the Best Picture winners represent a wide range of genres and themes, showcasing the diversity and creativity of the film industry.

In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 Best Picture winners of all time. These films have left an indelible mark on popular culture and continue to inspire generations of filmmakers and movie lovers alike. Each movie on this list is a masterpiece in its own right, and together, they represent the pinnacle of cinematic excellence. So, without further ado, let's dive into the top 10 Best Picture winners of all time.

Top 10 Best Oscar Winning Movies 

Here is the list of Top 10 Best Oscar Winning Movies with the year of release.

S.No

Oscar-Winning Movies 

Released Year

1

Forrest Gump 

1994

2

The Godfather Part II

1974

3

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

2003

4

Schindler’s List

1993

5

Titanic 

1997

6

Gone With The Wind

1939

7

Ben-Hur 

1959

8

Parasite

2019

9

The Silence Of The Lambs

1991

10

Avatar

2009

Let us see each one of the movies in detail.

1. Forrest Gump (1994)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks in the title role, Forrest Gump is a heartwarming and humorous drama that tells the story of a simple, yet endearing man with an extraordinary life. Set against the backdrop of significant events in American history from the 1950s to the 1980s, Forrest Gump manages to become an unwitting participant in these moments while pursuing his lifelong love, Jenny.

The film won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Hanks' performance. Its iconic score, composed by Alan Silvestri, has become a classic piece of cinematic music, and its quotable lines, such as "Life is like a box of chocolates," have become part of the cultural lexicon.

2. The Godfather Part II (1974)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather Part II is the second installment in the Godfather trilogy and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. The film follows the story of Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, as he struggles to maintain his power and legitimacy as the head of the Corleone crime family.

The film also features flashbacks to the early life of Michael's father, Vito Corleone, portrayed by Robert De Niro, and his rise to power in New York's criminal underworld. The Godfather Part II won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for De Niro's performance. It is notable for its complex storyline, nuanced characters, and compelling performances, and it continues to be studied and analyzed by filmmakers and film scholars today.

3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) 

e Return of the King (2003) is a fantasy epic film directed by Peter Jackson and based on the third and final volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The movie won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The film concludes the story of hobbit Frodo Baggins, who must destroy the One Ring in order to save Middle-earth from the evil Sauron. The film features stunning visuals, a powerful score by Howard Shore, and memorable performances by the ensemble cast. It was praised for its ability to bring Tolkien's world to life and for its emotional impact.

4. Schindler’s List (1993)

Schindler’s List (1993) is a historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the true story of German businessman Oskar Schindler, who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.

The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is known for its powerful portrayal of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and for the performances of its cast, particularly Liam Neeson as Schindler and Ralph Fiennes as the sadistic Nazi officer Amon Goeth. The movie is shot mostly in black and white, adding to its somber and haunting atmosphere.

5. Titanic (1997)

Titanic (1997) is a romantic disaster film directed by James Cameron and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The film won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Song. It tells the story of a young aristocrat named Rose and a poor artist named Jack who fall in love aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

The movie features stunning special effects and a sweeping score by James Horner. It was praised for its grandeur and scale, as well as for the chemistry between its two lead actors. The film became a cultural phenomenon and one of the highest-grossing movies of all time.

6. Gone With The Wind (1939) 

Gone With The Wind (1939) is a classic epic romantic drama set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. The movie tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), the daughter of a plantation owner, and her love affair with Rhett Butler (Clark Gable).

The movie won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Victor Fleming, and Best Actress for Vivien Leigh. The movie's cinematography, costume design, and set design have also become iconic.

7. Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur (1959) is a historical epic film directed by William Wyler. The movie tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), a Jewish prince who is betrayed by his childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) and forced into slavery. The movie depicts his journey to redemption and revenge, culminating in a famous chariot race scene.

The movie won eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Charlton Heston. Ben-Hur is considered one of the greatest movies ever made and is noted for its massive sets, stunning cinematography, and epic scale.

8. Parasite (2019)

Parasite (2019) is a South Korean black comedy thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho. The movie follows the poor Kim family as they infiltrate the wealthy Park family's household, leading to a series of unexpected events. The movie explores themes of social class and inequality, and the characters are well-developed and relatable.

Parasite made history by becoming the first South Korean movie to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and also won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Parasite is praised for its brilliant storytelling, humor, and social commentary.

9. The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) is a psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme, based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. The film stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who is assigned to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer, in order to gain insight into the mind of another serial killer who is still at large.

As Clarice delves deeper into the case, she finds herself becoming increasingly entangled with Lecter and the dangerous world of serial killers. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Actress (Jodie Foster), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

10. Avatar (2009)

Avatar (2009) is a science fiction epic directed by James Cameron. Set in the year 2154, the film follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic marine who is sent to the distant planet Pandora to infiltrate the native Na'vi people and gather information about their culture for a mining corporation.

However, as Jake spends more time with the Na'vi, he begins to question the morality of his mission and becomes increasingly involved in their struggle to protect their home from the destructive forces of the corporation. Avatar is known for its groundbreaking visual effects and was praised for its environmental and anti-war themes. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects.

Best Oscar-Winning Movies All Time

Here is the list of Best Oscar-Winning Awards of All Time. 

S.No

Oscar-Winning Movies of All Time 

1

12 Years a Slave

2

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

3

Moonlight

4

Slumdog Millionaire

5

On the Waterfront

6

It Happened One Night

7

Kramer vs. Kramer

8

West Side Story

9

Casablanca

10

No Country For Old Men

Oscar Winnings Movies of All Time

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, recognize the best and brightest in the film industry. Among the most coveted awards are the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress categories. Over the years, the Oscars have recognized some of the most iconic films ever made, and the winners of the Best Picture category are often regarded as some of the greatest films in history.

The top 10 Best Picture winners of all time include "Forrest Gump," "The Godfather Part II," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "Schindler's List," "Titanic," "Gone with the Wind," "Ben-Hur," "Parasite," "The Silence of the Lambs," and "Avatar." Each movie on this list is a masterpiece in its own right, representing the pinnacle of cinematic excellence and leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

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Top 10 Best Oscar Winning Movies - FAQs

1. What are the Academy Awards?

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are the most prestigious and highly anticipated awards in the film industry. 

2. What is the significance of the Best Picture category at the Oscars?

The winner of this award is considered to be the best film of the year, and the films that have won this award are often regarded as some of the greatest films in history.

3. Who are some of the most notable winners of the Best Picture category?  

Some of the most notable winners of the Best Picture category include Forrest Gump, The Godfather Part II, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Schindler’s List.

4. What makes a film a great Best Picture winner?  

A great Best Picture winner is typically a film that has a compelling story, well-developed characters, memorable performances, and exceptional filmmaking.

5. What are some of the common themes and genres of Best Picture winners?  

Best Picture winners represent a wide range of themes and genres, including drama, comedy, romance, war, and fantasy.