Every movie director, actor, and producer dreams of winning an Oscar. It sets the tone for their career. Hollywood is all about winning the gold trophy. Some movies rightfully deserved the grandest prize in the world more than others. If you love cinema and want to know the 15 movies that rightfully deserved an Oscar, you have come to the right place.
15. Crash (2004)
No movie highlights racial disharmony in LA better than Crash. It truly is an impressive feat. J. Michael Muro proved to be an expert when it came to cinematography.
Besides, each character in the movie gave an amazing performance. Don Cheadle played the role of a detective and wowed the audience with his performance.
14. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Based on John Nash’s life, A Beautiful Mind is about an expert mathematician who experiences paranoid schizophrenia. Considered a highly precious movie, you will be enticed by its authenticity and grit.
If you are curious about mental deterioration, you will find this inspirational film to be worth a watch.
13. Green Book (2018)
The Academy encourages diverse individuals to participate in filmmaking and Green Book beautifully captures the importance of such initiatives. It will be forever known as an epic.
It perfectly portrays racial unity and tolerance. Mahershala Ali did a fabulous job playing the role of a black pianist who tours the Deep South. In times like these, Green Book is a breath of fresh air.
12. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Highlighting the darker tendencies of humanity, Slumdog Millionaire follows a poor teenager who ends up winning the Indian “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”
As Jamal is taken by the police, he has to explain how he was able to respond to each question with great accuracy and how everything intertwined with his life’s journey.
11. American Beauty (1999)
Although American Beauty was originally considered overrated, it has managed to garner a cult-like following over time. This dysfunctional family drama involves suburban misery.
Kevin Spacey even went on to win an Oscar for his role. The movie features stunning photography and doesn’t disappoint. With a decent plot, you will find it to be an interesting watch.
10. Argo (2012)
Argo is a movie that will keep you hooked. It touches the Iranian Revolution of 1979 better than any other Hollywood film.
When American embassy employees were held hostage by Iran, the CIA had to find a way out for them. Even though it can be fun to watch, it is based on events that took place.
9. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
Around the World in 80 Days is a marvel of a movie that achieved a great deal during a time when it was unheard of to direct a film in different countries.
There are plenty of scenes that will make you laugh and jump for joy.
8. Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator, on the other hand, is more of a tragedy. Russel Crowe played the role of Maximus for which he won an Oscar. As a general, he was stripped of his title and had to fight in the gladiatorial ring.
This sword and sandals epic will leave you in tears by the time you reach the end.
7. The Shape of Water (2017)
The Shape of Water is a period romance about a sea creature and a mute woman who fall in love.
To craft a Valentine’s special, Del Toro managed to bring different genres together and brought the shy character to life.
6. The Hurt Locker (2009)
Director Kathryn Bigelow captured male bonding better than in any other film with The Hurt Locker. The cautionary tale involves a conflict that has no end.
Even though it does not break new ground, it has an immediacy that you will come to appreciate.
5. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Million Dollar Baby is an emotional rollercoaster. It is a lot better than most boxing films. Each character is specified to help the audience learn more about them.
In a world where people feel left behind, the movie manages to tear the ceiling glass.
4. Spotlight (2015)
A newspaper drama, Spotlight attempted to the Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal. You will be excited to watch the investigative team track down leads to find perpetrators.
The unfussy writing and muted performance will immerse you in the fast-paced world of journalism.
3. Rocky (1976)
Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky follows a regular boxer who ends up winning against a Russian. There is a lot to like about the movie.
It is genuine and has enough emotional lines to keep you going. Besides, you will also like its music and by-the-numbers approach.
2. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather is a film adaptation of the best seller of the same name. It is pure entertainment on steroids. With a potboiler narrative, it captures American ambition and allows Al Pacino to shine.
If you think that people aren’t easy to corrupt, you have to give it a watch.
1. Parasite (2019)
Parasite is a South Korean blockbuster that rightfully earned an Oscar. The foreign-language film wowed the audience and was crowned Best Picture in 2019 by the Academy.
With a gut-punching ending, the dark thriller showcases class inequality and the lengths to which people will go to get out of poverty.
Honorable Mentions
- Cimarron (1930)
- The Great Ziegfeld (1936)
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
And that concludes our list of movies that rightfully deserved an Oscar. Let us know in the comments section below which movie surprised you.
Title Image Courtesy: Flickr/Jernej Furman
