What makes up a good movie? A captivating storyline, a fitting cast, on-point acting skills, crisp dialogue delivery, and good direction and production. But what makes up an Oscar winning movie? Well, for that, everything needs to be more than simply good and fitting, it needs to be exceptional and phenomenal, something no one has ever seen before.
This article will provide insights into the following topics:
- The Best Movies to Win an Oscar
- Best Oscar-winning movies you should watch
- 15 Best Oscar Movies of All Time
Here are some of the best Oscar winning movies, something you indeed haven’t seen before on screen:
Parasite
Directed by: Bong Joon-ho
Year of release: 2019
This extraordinarily thrilling satire brings the harsh realities of life on screen, wherein the cooperative relationship between the deprived Kim tribe and the rich Park family is threatened and disturbed due to social and economic evils of gender and discrimination.
With a thoughtful and apt representation of today’s society and the people residing in it, Parasite has very flawlessly won the hearts of the audience and can righteously be called an “Oscar winning” film.
Moonlight
Directed by: Barry Jenkins
Year of release: 2016
Thanks to Jenkins’ amazing direction and exceedingly interesting screenplay, this eye-catching and insightful drama and queer movie is by far one of the best. It very bravely addresses real-life topics, including gender, race, and poverty as it documents the life and struggles of a young African American boy. Packed with a soul-touching plot, exceptional cinematography and just about the perfect cast, this film is the epitome of power and grace.
A rather unforgettable movie, Moonlight, is a must-watch.
Argo
Directed by: Ben Affleck
Year of release: 2012
A dramatically thrilling venture, Argo is based on real-life events from the infamous Iran-hostage crisis of 1980, wherein the CIA go undercover to rescue a group of Americans that were being held captive in the US Embassy in Iran.
In the movie, Affleck, who plays the role of Tony Mendez, goes undercover as a Hollywood producer to rescue the Americans being held hostage in Tehran during the grave situation of the Iran hostage crisis. The movie represents a political past mixed with history, making it all the more interesting.
12 Years a Slave
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Year of Release: 2013
In the mood for a sharp historical drama like no other? 12 Years a Slave is just about the right choice! Highly perceptive and influential, this movie will undoubtedly leave you bewildered with its depth and astuteness. It pops out the brutalities of oppression as an African American is deceived into being sold into slavery with the masquerade of a job opportunity.
The film being based on the real-life experience of Solomon Northup, only adds up to the storyline, making it more and more noteworthy and intense, and a definitive on-repeat, especially for the history lovers.
Green Book
Directed by: Peter Farrelly
Year of release: 2018
Green Book is a heart-winning movie without a doubt. Inspired by true events, it very effortlessly taps into the spirit of the audience by the perfect roles and performances and its greatly engaging and delightful plot. It showcases the tensions between the characters of different races and portrays the idea of growth and acceptance very effectively, thereby covering important life aspects.
This comedy filled with drama is the quintessential inspiringly fun film.
The Shape of Water
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Year of release: 2017
Highlighting a dark yet beautiful relationship between Elisa, a lonesome janitor at an aquarium and a vicious-looking amphibious creature, this fantasy-woven movie is absolutely breathtaking. Besides its amazing visuals and production design, the performance of the lead roles contributes to expanding the film’s beauty and thrilling storyline.
Manchester by the Sea
Directed by: Kenneth Lonergan
Year of release: 2016
A deep and beautifully sad movie, it is the perfect combination of drama and tragedy, wherein Lee Chandler, the lead character is forced to deal with his past sufferings and plight as he has no other choice but to return to his hometown after his brother’s death. His painful dilemmas and misery are very interestingly depicted in the movie, and Casey Affleck’s faultless performance and dialogue delivery just makes it even better.
Spotlight
Directed by: Tom McCarthy
Year of release: 2015
The very strong storyline of the film focuses on the world of journalism and provides great detail about the same as Martin Baron, a rather persuasive editor from the Boston Globe pushes four journalists to chase the story of a local church that happens to be accused of child molestation charges and the cover-ups, scandals, and rumours behind it.
Thrilling to the core, Spotlight is indeed a legendary movie that has rightfully earned its place in the film industry, by being one of the best Oscar-winning films ever.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Year of release: 2014
You are not going to come across a depiction of the combination of crime and comedy as perfect as this.
When a concierge is falsely accused of a murder at the Grand Budapest Hotel, he very desperately tries to prove his innocence, in the process of which, he happens to befriend a lobby boy, after which continues the whimsical plot of the movie. A delightful dramedy, this movie is regarded as Anderson’s best.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Directed by: George Miller
Year of release: 2015
Jam-packed with a tremendous dosage of action and adventure, Mad Max: Fury Road tends to serve the imagination of the audience with its amazing production and effects, a strong plot, goosebumps-invoking action and on-point humour.
It is set in a post-apocalyptic situation in which a survivor and rebel come together by force to fight off an evil tyrant of the wasteland.
It is a roller coaster ride which is going to have you both excited and thrilled at the same time. A popular must watch and a critic favourite, this action movie is guaranteed to get you hooked on the screen.
La La Land
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Year of release: 2016
La La Land is a classic romantic musical, the one which although is cliché, still ends up stealing your heart. As a couple drowned in love dance and sing their way through the theatre of life, they are faced with severe make-it or break-it decisions, endangering both their dreams and their relationship. Dwelling upon a stark projection of fates and choices, it tends to touch the heart of the audience, thereby leaving its imprint.
A quaintly beautiful movie spiked with a fantastic movie-making approach and the perfect choice of a cast, La La Land is definitely going to become your next favourite!
Conclusion
Every movie cannot be an Oscar-winning movie, but for the ones that are, deserve all the recognition, acknowledgement, praise and fame that they get, for producing a movie worth getting nominated for the Academy Awards, let alone winning them, is no child’s play. It requires utter dedication, perfection, and an impeccable vision along with the best cast, exceptional cinematography, precise direction, and the hallmarks of an extraordinary film, creativity, and originality.
These Oscar-winning movies range from a wide variety of genres, including comedy, romance, suspense, drama, thrill, history and politics, and many more. So, grab your favourite snacks and cold drinks, switch on your television, and get ready for the movie marathon of your life with these mind-blowing films.
Co-author: Khushi Shah
Khushi has just passed her school and is now studying at PDPU. Apart from writing, she likes to sketch and dance. She also has other blogs where she posts proses and poetry.
