10 Best Picture Award Winning Movies On Netflix (Ranked According to IMDb)

Warning: This article contains references to slavery, genocide and murder

The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony was certainly a night to remember. Not only did several actors and crew members receive awards for their iconic performances, but history was also made at the event too. Troy Kotsur became the first deaf man to win Best Supporting Actor (via NY Times), Jane Campion’s win marked the first time a woman has won Best Director in two consecutive years (via ET Online), and Ariana DeBose made history as the first openly queer actor of color to win an Oscar (via V Magazine).

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CODA also went on to make history with its Best Picture win as well (E! News). Although it might disappoint some to learn that it isn’t available to stream on Netflix yet, many of the other 91 Best Picture and highly valued films are (so cinephiles have plenty to watch while they wait – starting with those voted highly by IMDb users).

12 Years A Slave (2013) – 8.1

The winner of Oscars 2014 Best Picture Award, 12 Years A Slave is based on the 1853 memoir Twelve Years a Slave by David Wilson. It is also the first film directed by a Black filmmaker to win Best Picture (via The Guardian). The film follows Solomon Northup, a free Black man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery.

The movie depicts reality in a stark, straightforward narrative, resulting in some emotionally devastating movements. Many critics also said the visuals and setting of the movie around different plantations just outside of New Orleans were quite realistic too, which added to the authenticity of the movie. It is certainly a crucial one to watch as Solomon spent twelve years away from his family and living in some of the most dreadful conditions imaginable.

No Country For Old Men (2007) – 8.1 

No Country for Old Men is based on Cormac McCarthy’s 2005 novel of the same name. Llewelyn Moss, a Vietnam War veteran and welder who stumbles into a large sum of money in the desert; Anton Chigurh, a mystery hitman tasked with reclaiming the money; and Ed Tom Bell, a local sheriff investigating the crime are the three primary protagonists in the film. The movie later revisits the themes of fate, conscience, and circumstance.

The film’s cinematography, editing, and scenery astound the spectator. The script is crisp, humorous, and thrilling. Unlike the Coen Brothers’ previous films, No Country for Old Men is more like a perfect modern western thriller than a comedy. However, since the film won the Oscar, their experiment is worth watching.

Green Book (2018) – 8.2

Green Book is based on the true story of the classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley and Italian American bouncer Frank Vallelonga’s tour of the Deep South. The film is set around 1962 and has pleasing aesthetics and an accessible storyline. The chemistry between the two leads is enjoyable, and the script feels human to the viewers.

The realistic depiction of Shirley and Vallelonga’s blossoming friendship enriches the plot. The respect for the characters and careful handling of the theme makes the film a swoon-worthy watch. The heart-touching screenplay is the perfect blend of drama, music, and comedy.

A Beautiful Mind (2001) – 8.2

A Beautiful Mind is a biographical film based on Sylvia Nasar’s bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-nominated 1997 novel. It is a biographical film about John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics and winner of the Abel Prize, who learns that he is living with schizophrenia after he experiences several delusions.

The story is praiseworthy for the realistic portrayal of mental illness, with Russell Crowe winning an Oscar for his performance. The script was also praised for doing justice to John Nash’s life, and viewers get an impressive account of his brilliant mind.

Parasite (2019) – 8.5

The South Korean entertainment industry has given the world some of the most popular web series and movies in the last few years, like Squid Games and Parasite. The narrative of Parasite is unique as it follows a destitute family, who are trying to join an affluent family’s household by posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals.

The movie starts as a situation comedy and slowly turns dark. It’s dramatic and suspenseful, and the cast is phenomenal. The film has a lot of hidden complexity and commentary that the critics have picked up on. It is the first South Korean film to win an Academy Award (via BBC) and one of only three films to win both; the Palme d’Or and the Best Picture Oscar (via USA Today Life).

The Departed (2006) – 8.5

One of the best Leonardo DiCaprio movies of the 2000s, The Departed is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. The film follows a Massachusetts state cop and an Irish mob criminal as the lead. Irish mob boss Frank Costello infiltrates the state police with Colin Sullivan as a mole; at the same time, the police dispatch undercover state trooper Billy Costigan to infiltrate Costello’s squad. When both sides discover what’s going on, Sullivan and Costigan try to figure out who the other is before the other one.

The Departed keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats. It is incredibly exhilarating, and the characters are well-written with great backstories. One thing that fills the screen is the unpredictable plot, which surprises viewers at the end. The camera work, locations, music, direction, everything is excellent. However, the film’s intricate and intriguing narrative makes it a hit.

Gladiator (2000) – 8.5

Gladiator is an epic historical drama set in 180 AD.  It is a visual delight for the fans of Roman history. The props, costumes, sceneries, and depiction of the Roman empire in all its glory. The film shows Maximus, a formidable Roman general beloved by the populace, and Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The Emperor picks Maximus as his heir over his son, Commodus, before his death, which results in a power struggle between the two after the emperor’s death.

Commodus assassinates his father and proclaims himself emperor. Maximus refuses to recognize the new emperor, and Commodus slaughters his family. He is enslaved and forced to fight in gladiator arenas. Gladiator is a rare contemporary film with tons of action and touching sequences. It’s a daring attempt to recapture the power and allure of historical blockbusters from the early eras.

Silence of the Lambs (1991) – 8.6

Silence of the Lambs is one of the best psychological horror movies that can mess with anyone’s brain. The picture is shot in a continuous atmospheric style, maintaining a constant level of suspense. The story is captivating from beginning to end. It follows an FBI trainee trying to catch a serial killer. However, in order to do this, she takes help from and interviews a former psychiatrist and another incarcerated cannibalistic serial killer to fulfill her task.

The film delves deeply into the mind and soul of a serial killer and contains numerous brutal and horrific scenes involving murder. The criminal investigation and the cast’s performance are both outstanding. The Silence of the Lambs makes an indelible mark on the psyche of its audience.

Forrest Gump (1994) – 8.8 

Forrest Gump follows the life of the eponymous Forrest Gump, a selfless, good-hearted man with a low IQ, who witnesses and unknowingly impacts several historical events in the United States during the twentieth century. It is based on Winston Groom’s 1986 novel of the same name. However, the picture differs significantly from the novel.

The film is about fragility, innocence, and the significance of discovering life’s true core. It beautifully depicts all parts of life, be it love, family, fight, or courage. Although it does have some tragic moments, many fans would still watch this movie all over again as they love watching the scenes involving Haley Joel Osment and Tom Hanks.

Schindler’s List (1993) – 9.0

Schindler’s List is a historical drama set during the 1940s era that features shockingly realistic depictions of concentration camps and the horrors Jewish people experienced at the hands of the Nazi regime. It is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, who saved around 1200 people from being killed at Auschwitz (via History).

Schindler’s List is visually disturbing at times, yet it is essential in conveying the plight of the victims and their families. The cinematography is stunning, and the direction is sharp and precise. Arguably one of the most moving films in Steven Spielberg’s career, Schindler’s List is both; an eye-opener and a lesson in humanity.

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