The Top Oscar Best Picture Nominees, Ranked (2010 to Present) ·

05 Oct 2024, 00:00

The Academy Awards have always — whether they like it or not — had a responsibility to provide snapshots of any given year when recognizing the best picture.

The most prestigious artistic award in the film industry, the Oscars have been simultaneously praised and criticized for their choices. As they began diversifying their membership in the mid 2010s, the Academy has become more dynamic, with plenty of different artistic endeavors and genres recognized each year. As we maneuver to an impending 100th year celebration of the award show in 2027, Variety is beginning the audacious task of ranking all 571 movies that have been nominated (and the comparative few that ultimately won) for best picture.

Understandably time-consuming, this list will be updated in stages, adding films in year-to-year order.

The first list of the best films that Oscar recognized ranks the top 35 films that were release from 2010 to the this year’s extended eligibility year 2020-2021. Until all 96 films from this period are added, we won’t move on to the 2000s, and so forth.

Each film below includes the title, link to the Variety review of the time, and the major credit information including distributors, directors, writers, producers and stars. Also included is a clip from the movie, dubbed, ” the scene that proves it,” otherwise known as what I perceive to be the best scene of the movie.

While the road to 571, but in essence 641 (which will be the presumed amount we’ll be up to if the Academy stays to a defined 10 picture nominees until that time, which begins in 2022) is long and tedious, this allows an opportunity for me to watch and revisit all these great films, many of which I have never seen even though I own most of the nearly 600.

While no list is perfect, and the definition of “best” versus “favorite” is a continued argument in general film enthusiasts circles, we shouldn’t expect any unanimous agreement on these rankings. As film is subjective, as well as all art, we encourage you to make your own list as you navigate through the process with us.

For all current Oscar predictions for best picture, and other categories, visit the Awards Circuit hub for rankings.

Updated: April 18, 2021
(including the top 35 of 96 movies nominated from 2010 to 2020-21)

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Produced by: Mark Boal, Kathryn Bigelow and Megan Ellison
Written by: Mark Boal
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Jennifer Ehle, Mark Strong, Kyle Chandler, James Gandolfini, Mark Duplass, Chris Pratt, Stephen Dillane, Joel Edgerton
Oscar Wins: Sound editing (Paul N.J. Ottosson)
The scene that proves it: “You must be pretty important. You have the whole plane to yourself. Where do you want to go?”
Kathryn Bigelow’s follow-up to her Oscar-winning film “The Hurt Locker” is tense, taut and masterfully constructed with technical expertise from cinematographer Greig Fraser and co-editors Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg. Steering the ship with vigor is Golden Globe winner Jessica Chastain — and in the film’s final moments, it captures the hurt of America following the 9/11 attacks and the shame that followed with political action and war crimes, both of which have never been reckoned with. Well done Ms. Chastain.
Link to Variety review
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Studio: Warner Bros
Directed by: Shaka King
Produced by: Shaka King, Charles D. King and Ryan Coogler
Written by: Will Berson, Shaka King, Keith Lucas, Kenneth Lucas
Stars: Lakeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Dominique Fishback, Jesse Plemons
Oscar Wins: TBD
The scene that proves it: “I am…a revolutionary”
Co-writer and director Shaka King, a former student of Spike Lee at NYU, echoes William Friedkin’s style as seen in 1971’s “The French Connection” in this biographical drama-thriller. A call-back to arguably the best decade of cinema when new storytelling methods emerged, it assembles a mighty acting trio, including the dual-nominated Lakeith Stanfield as Bill O’Neal and Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton, and the snubbed (but very deserving) Dominique Fishback. It also comes alive with the menacing music by Mark Isham and Craig Harris and sizzling angles from DP Sean Bobbitt.
Link to Variety review
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Studio: Focus Features
Directed by: Lisa Cholodenko
Produced by: Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray
Written by: Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg
Stars: Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson
Oscar Wins: None
The scene that proves it: “Jules’ apology”
The dramedy follows Nic (Bening) and Jules (Moore), a lesbian couple who are raising two children, but when they find their sperm donor, things get a little crazy. It was one of two films, helmed by a woman, to be nominated for best picture that year, a first in Oscar history. Oscar-nominated Bening and the equally amazing Moore are superb, showing vulnerability and grace at every turn while Ruffalo is simply dynamite. A stellar selection.
Link to Variety review
Amour (2011)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Directed by: Michael Haneke
Produced by: Margaret Menegoz, Stefan Arndt, Veit Heiduschka and Michael Katz
Written by: Michael Haneke
Stars: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert
Oscar Wins: Foreign language film (now titled international feature)
The scene that proves it: “Playing the piano”
The french film from Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke has both beauty and devastation in this nominated drama. Focusing on two retired music teachers, Georges (Trintignant) and Anne (Riva) who face insurmountable challenges when Anne suffers a stroke, the Academy’s response still stands as one of the most surprising in recent years. Riva made history when she landed a nomination for best actress, 85 at the time, becoming the oldest nominee ever in the category, a record that still stands. The film is heavy but elegantly respectful in execution.
Link to Variety review
Captain Phillips (2013)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Produced by: Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca
Written by: Billy Ray (based on the book “A Captain’s Duty” by Richard Phillips, Stephan Talty)
Stars: Tom Hanks, Barkhard Abdi
Oscar Wins: None
The scene that proves it: “You’re safe”
The sea thriller featuring an outstanding (and grotesquely snubbed) performance from Tom Hanks and debut acting nominee Barkhad Abdi displays all of Paul Greengrass’ pulse-pounding sensibilities that have made him so prolific as a filmmaker. Add exceptional editing (Christopher Rouse), vibrant music (Henry Jackman) and sound design (Oliver Tarney, Chris Burdon, Mark Taylor, Mike Prestwood Smith and Chris Munro), and it nears perfection. There isn’t a moment to take a breath, that is until our Captain can take one himself in the arms of a safety officer.
Link to Variety review
Get Out (2017)
Studio: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Jordan Peele
Produced by: Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Edward H. Hamm Jr. and Jordan Peele
Written by: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Stephen Root, Lakeith Stanfield, Catherine Keener, Lil Rel Howery
Oscar Wins: Original screenplay
The scene that proves it: “She’s a genius”
The horror genre never gets its proper due with the Academy, proven by countless snubs over the years. Peele’s outstanding debut, which made him the first Black person to receive nominations for picture, director and screenplay in one year, boasts a seductive style, an exceptional cast (still in gleeful disbelief they nominated Daniel Kaluuya) and technical mastery. You also can’t shake how inventive the different uses of comedy and tone are throughout, particularly the impeccable Lil Rel Howery.
Link to Variety review
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Studio: Amazon Studios
Directed by: Kenneth Lonergan
Produced by: Matt Damon, Kimberly Steward, Chris Moore, Lauren Beck and Kevin J. Walsh
Written by: Kenneth Lonergan
Stars: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
Oscar Wins: Actor (Affleck), original screenplay
The scene that proves it: “I can’t beat it”
It’s a very heavy lift to get through Lonergan’s dour but undeniably emotionally profound look at grief through the eyes of a man battling to overcome it. There are plenty of options in scenes that can wreck you, from the “police station” to Michelle Williams’ one-scene gut-punch saying, “you can’t just die.” In the end, the film, and likely its Oscar wins are sewn up in the one-line wrecking ball from Affleck’s Lee to his nephew Patrick (Hedges) — “I can’t beat it.” An encapsulation of one character’s past and impending future is a bullseye for writing and acting achievement.
Link to Variety review
Joker (2019)
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Produced by: Todd Phillips, Bradley Cooper and Emma Tillinger Koskoff
Written by: Todd Phillips, Scott Frank
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brian Tyree Henry, Brett Cullen, Bill Camp, Shea Whigham
Oscar Wins: Actor (Phoenix), original score (Hildur Guðnadóttir)
The scene that proves it: “Rebirth on the police car”
The superhero genre is another oeuvre the Academy had trouble embracing over the past few decades. “Logan” (2017) and “Black Panther” (2018) were able to walk so “Joker” could run, leading the nomination tally in its respective year with 11. Another divisive narrative between audiences and critics, the technical prowess, particularly Guðnadóttir’s winning and haunting score, Lawrence Sher’s tantalizing lens palette and Mark Bridges’ lively costume work, all bring a consensus around Phillips’ dark and brewing career achievement.
Link to Variety review
Brooklyn (2015)
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures (now Searchlight Pictures)
Directed by: John Crowley
Produced by: Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey
Written by: Nick Hornby (based on “Brooklyn” by Colm Tóibín)
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters
Oscar Wins: None
The scene that proves it: “And you’ll realize that this is where your life is”
A sucker for a good old-fashioned romantic flick, John Crowley’s flick is such a standout as it navigates multiple storylines with purity and is one of the key transitional turns for Saoirse Ronan from child actor to one of our most gifted performers. Delectably rich with Nick Hornby’s efficacious adaptation, the cinematography, costumes and production design, while all sadly omitted from the Academy’s graces, all amount to one of their finer recognitions in their top category.
Link to Variety review
The Fighter (2010)
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: David O. Russell
Produced by: David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg
Written by: Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Scott Silver, Keith Dorrington
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Oscar Wins: Supporting actor (Bale), supporting actress (Leo)
The scene that proves it: “Don’t call me a skank”
Boxing films have been a favorite of the Academy but the best never follow the sport itself, as David O. Russell’s drama leans into the toxic relationships of Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and his family. With co-stars Bale and Leo prevailing on Oscar night, it also features one of Amy Adams’ top three career performances to date, one which many believe she should have won for among her impressive six nom-tally. There’s an underlying grace to what the talented Jack McGee offers up as Micky’s father that’s often overlooked, similar to what Russell gave Jacki Weaver in “Silver Linings Playbook.”
Link to Variety review
The Tree of Life (2011)
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures (now Searchlight Pictures)
Directed by: Terrence Malick
Produced by: Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner and Grant Hill
Written by: Terrence Malick
Stars: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Tye Sheridan
Oscar Wins: None
The scene that proves it: “Universe sequence”
You can’t find a more divisive creator in the film medium than Terrence Malick, who has had equal parts of masterpieces (“Days of Heaven” and “The Thin Red Line”) and what we’ll call “less than” outings (“Knight of Cups” and “Song to Song”). “The Tree of Life” is not conventional but that’s its most alluring qualities. Featuring indelible performances from Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain and newcomer Hunter McCracken (well worth a nomination), Malick shares his views on the world in a poignant, honest record, particularly with his gorgeous “universe sequence.” You also can’t mention the film without taking the time to point out Emmanuel Lubezki (a.k.a. Chivo) and his glorious camera work.
Link to Variety review
Moneyball (2011)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Directed by: Bennett Miller
Produced by: Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt
Written by: Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, Stan Chervin (based on “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game” by Michael Lewis)
Stars: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt, Jack McGee, Arliss Howard, Chris Pratt
Oscar Wins: None
The scene that proves it: “Trade deadline”
Bennett Miller’s sophomore effort following “Capote” (2005) turns the sports genre on its head. He lets the world in on the secret that Jonah Hill is fully capable of not just exceptional acting work but can steal scenes inhabited by Brad Pitt and the late-great Philip Seymour Hoffman. Along with making a complicated story accessible for baseball’s non-followers, the movie builds entertainingly and delivers a lovely payoff.
Link to Variety review
Nebraska (2013)
Studio: Paramount Vantage
Directed by: Alexander Payne
Produced by: Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa
Written by: Bob Nelson
Stars: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Stacy Keach, Bob Odenkirk
Oscar Wins: None
The scene that proves it: “Driving by Peg”
There are plenty of Alexander Payne movies that have their legion of fans, but “Nebraska” has quickly risen as his most personal and alluring portrait of one man’s relationship with his son. Helmed by an amazing performance by Oscar nominees Bruce Dern and June Squibb as well as the rapturously effective Will Forte, the movie hits a great balance of comedic and dramatic notes. It also sits on a stunning black-and-white canvas by DP Phedon Papamichael.
Link to Variety review
The Social Network (2010)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Directed by: David Fincher
Produced by: Dana Brunetti, Ceán Chaffin, Michael De Luca and Scott Rudin
Written by: Aaron Sorkin (based on “The Accidental Billionaires” by Ben Mezrich)
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella
Oscar Wins: Adapted screenplay, film editing (Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall), original score (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross)
The scene that proves it: “What was your ownership share diluted down to?”
David Fincher’s career masterpiece about the birth of the largest social media platform is assembled like a frightening opera, slathered with a linguistic masterclass from screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Harnessing pitch-perfect performances from Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg, the sadly overlooked Andrew Garfield and vastly underrated Justin Timberlake. It also has a top-tier score composition with an aural brilliance from the sound team.
Link to Variety review
Black Panther (2018)
Studio: Marvel Studios
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Produced by: Kevin Feige
Written by: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole (based on “Black Panther” by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby)
Stars: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis
Oscar Wins: Production design (Hannah Beachler, Jay Hart), costume design (Ruth E. Carter), original score (Ludwig Göransson)
The scene that proves it: “Killmonger’s final look at the sunset”
“Black Panther” is one of the more meaningful nominations the Academy has made, not just in showcasing its openness to the superhero genre, but what Chadwick Boseman and his Black Panther mean to young Black and Brown children globally. A dynamic cast, crisp visuals and an engaging, relatable story and villain have this near the top of the best outings for Marvel Studios. It also presents historical significance for the Oscars as Hannah Beachler and Ruth E. Carter are the first Black winners of their respective categories.
Link to Variety review
Inception (2010)
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Produced by: Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas
Written by: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine
Oscar Wins: Cinematography (Wally Pfister), sound mixing (Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo, Ed Novick), sound editing (Richard King), visual effects (Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Pete Bebb, Paul J. Franklin)
The scene that proves it: “Arthur fights in the hallway”
Writer and director Christopher Nolan’s obsession with time is well-documented over his last couple of films, but “Inception” is terrifically accessible to both general audiences and critics, showcasing its visual inventiveness. An all-star cast, which holds one of Marion Cotillard’s multiple Oscar snubs, is sensational — and the ending, even though ambiguous, is utterly satisfying.
Link to Variety review
Whiplash (2014)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Produced by: Jason Blum, Helen Estabrook and David Lancaster
Written by: Damien Chazelle
Stars: Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist
Oscar Wins: Supporting actor (J.K. Simmons), film editing (Tom Cross), sound mixing (Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins, Thomas Curley)
The scene that proves it: “The ‘Caravan’ finale”
The beating drum (no pun intended) of Damien Chazelle’s Sundance hit, later turned major Oscar vehicle, is a visceral examination of the internal struggle for greatness under the thumb of a destructive music instructor. Heightened by the winning performance from J.K. Simmons, the underrated turn from Miles Teller and the rapid-fire cuts from Tom Cross, this marked one of the first early signs of the Academy welcoming the next generation of filmmakers.
Link to Variety review
Minari (2020)
Studio: A24
Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung
Produced by: Christina Oh
Written by: Lee Isaac Chung
Stars: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Yuh-Jung Youn, Alan S. Kim, Will Patton
Oscar Wins: TBD
The scene that proves it: “You’re not a real grandma”
The American family drama about a Korean family living in Arkansas is just sublime, featuring one of the best ensembles in the past few years. Steven Yeun and Yeri Han’s vulnerable turns as a married couple struggling to connect are divine, while the adorable Alan S. Kim and the bravery of Yuh-Jung Youn are in a category all their own. The purity of the story and its direction by Lee Isaac Chung is the film’s best quality, something that stands as one of Oscar’s bravest choices.
Link to Variety review
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures (now Searchlight Pictures)
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Produced by: Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen and Anthony Katagas
Written by: John Ridley (based on “Twelve Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup)
Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong’o, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard
Oscar Wins: Best picture, supporting actress (Lupita Nyong’o), adapted screenplay
The scene that proves it: “He is Mr. Solomon Northup”
The historical win of Steve McQueen’s masterpiece made him the first Black producer to receive the award and the first Black director of a best picture winner. Essential and haunting, the film is steered by a phenomenal turn from Oscar-nominated stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender, but displays sheer perfection in the debut and winning performance from Lupita Nyong’o as Patsey. McQueen’s attention to detail is unparalleled, as is his choice of his artisan teammates, including cinematographer Sean Bobbitt and editor Joe Walker.
Link to Variety review
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Produced by: Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joey McFarland and Emma Tillinger Koskoff
Written by: Terence Winter (based on “The Wolf of Wall Street” by Jordan Belfort)
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Favreau, Jean Dujardin, Jon Bernthal
Oscar Wins: None
The scene that proves it: “Quaaludes”
The three-hour comedy probably shouldn’t work on paper, but yet here it is. Fleeting and hilarious, and in the hands of veteran master Scorsese, it shouldn’t be surprising how invigorating the movie was at the time and still is today. He has his A-list club of talents, including editing queen Thelma Schoonmaker, scribe wordsmith Terence Winter and the lens-master Rodrigo Prieto. You can’t praise the film without mentioning the committed outings from Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie, who are remarkably daring in each frame they inhabit.
Link to Variety review
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: George Miller
Produced by: Doug Mitchell and George Miller
Written by: George Miller, Brendan McCarthy, Nico Lathouris
Stars: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton
Oscar Wins: Production design (Colin Gibson, Lisa Thompson), costume design (Jenny Beavan), film editing (Margaret Sixel), makeup and hairstyling (Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega, Damian Martin), sound mixing (Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff, Ben Osmo), sound editing (Mark A. Mangini, David White)
The scene that proves it: “Harpoon and pole battle”
One of the best action films in decades, George Miller’s dystopian opera is equal parts stylish and narratively rich. Charlize Theron’s Oscar-snubbed turn stands near the top of all-time genre performances. It’s hard to find anything like it since, and the fact that it walked away with the most awards in its respective year is the cherry on top.
Link to Variety review
Nomadland (2020)
Studio: Searchlight Pictures
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
Produced by: Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Chloé Zhao
Written by: Chloé Zhao (based on the book “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century” by Jessica Bruder)
Stars: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Swankie, Linda May, Bob Wells
Oscar Wins: TBD
The scene that proves it: “Bob Wells talks about his son”
The movie’s most prominent commodity is Zhao herself, who serves as the director, writer, co-producer and editor, owning every single description of the job. With a small cast of players spearheaded by McDormand, who is audaciously refined, the internalized and secular turns just jump off the screen. Cinematographer Joshua James Richards, taking cues from the likes of Chivo and Deakins, makes the American West so accessible and beautiful to a viewer. Just a special invention top to bottom.
Link to Variety review
Spotlight (2015)
Studio: Open Road Films
Directed by: Tom McCarthy
Produced by: Blye Pagon Faust, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin and Michael Sugar
Written by: Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer
Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci
Oscar Wins: Best picture, original screenplay
The scene that proves it: “It’s time Robbie!”
It’s difficult to find a display of actor’s trust towards one another than that of the marvelous cast of Tom McCarthy’s ode to journalism. A career-topping performance from Mark Ruffalo, who garnered a supporting actor nomination, is just the tip of the thespian iceberg which includes nominee Rachel McAdams, in addition to Liev Schreiber and veteran Michael Keaton (who likely missed out on a nom because of NYFCC awarding him lead actor beforehand, despite campaigning supporting). A fine best picture winner, and the first to walk away with just two wins total since “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952).
Link to Variety review
Selma (2014)
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Ava DuVernay
Produced by: Christian Colson, Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner
Written by: Paul Webb
Stars: David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Giovanni Ribisi, Alessandro Nivola, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tim Roth, Oprah Winfrey, Lakeith Stanfield, Stephan James, Tessa Thompson, Wendell Pierce, Common, Dylan Baer, Niecy Nash, Henry G. Sanders, Stan Houston
Oscar Wins: Original song (“Glory” by Common and John Legend)
The scene that proves it: “The fog of death constantly hanging over”
One of Oscar’s more embarrassing moments was the absence of a best actor nomination for David Oyelowo’s portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King in Ava DuVernay’s historical opus. Standing toe-to-toe with most of, if not all best actor winners of the last 20 years, the film’s guiding purpose of telling the story of the civil rights movement is touching and unconventionally developed. Lathered in the lighting and framework of cinematographer Bradford Young and the lively threads of Ruth E. Carter, “Selma” continues to soar with each passing moment since its release, giving additional bits of nuance to a never-ending struggle for equal rights.
Link to Variety review
Lady Bird (2017)
Studio: A24
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Produced by: Scott Rudin, Eli Bush and Evelyn O’Neill
Written by: Greta Gerwig
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Lois Smith, Odeya Rush, Stephen McKinley Henderson
Oscar Wins: None
The scene that proves it: “I wish I could live through something”
It’s hard to find as much joy, laughter and a more accurate depiction of a mother-daughter dynamic as the opening scene of Gerwig’s new era classic. The Oscar-nominated Ronan is unmatched in harnessing the eagerness for something new in her portrayal of a high school senior in 2002 (my own high school graduation year). It accurately displays the unnerving communication with parents, unreliable navigation through love and your friendships’ unknown status. Metcalf, the likely runner-up to the supporting actress winner of 2018, is fully realized, offering every bit of herself of the viewer to love and loathe simultaneously. We’ll always love this movie because it gave us Beanie Feldstein, and we’re better off for it.
Link to Variety review
Her (2013)
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Produced by: Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze and Vincent Landay
Written by: Spike Jonze
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johansson
Oscar Wins: Original screenplay
The scene that proves it: “Dear Catherine…Love, Theodore”
The all-time cinematic love stories are littered with various versions of passion and heartbreak. Spike Jonze’s winning script is pure in its own way, extravagantly anchored by Joaquin Phoenix’s striking turn as Theodore, a man who falls in love with his A.I. virtual assistant. “Her” could also be labeled a horror film, as it feels so scarily accurate to where we’re headed as a society. By the end of the film, you are transported back to your first love (if you have one), and the painful notion of its destruction. What it also expertly does is give you gratitude for that time you had that allowed you to grow and find the piece of yourself that you’re most proud of. This may not be for everyone, but it feels like that for me.
Link to Variety review
Parasite (2019)
Studio: Neon
Directed by: Bong Joon-ho
Produced by: Kwak Sin-ae and Bong Joon-ho
Written by: Bong Joon-ho, Han Jin-won
Stars: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, Lee Jung-eun, Jang Hye-jin
Oscar Wins: Best picture, director, original screenplay, international feature (South Korea)
The scene that proves it: “[Kicked down the stairs]”
The first non-English best picture winner is, by default, one of the best. Better yet, it’s also a reminder of a simpler time, as the film won just before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The cast is superb, the writing is extraordinary and its direction is pure exhilaration that fuses multiple tones and genres and keeps the audience on its toes. It’s hard to remember a more palpable audience reaction than when Chung-sook (mother of the Kim family played by Jang Hye-jin) kicks Gook Moon-gwang (Lee Jung-eun) down the stairs as she tries to run up and speak to Choi (Cho Yeo-jeong), mother of the Park family.
Link to Variety review
1917 (2019)
Studio: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Produced by: Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne-Ann Tenggren and Callum McDougall
Written by: Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Stars: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch
Oscar Wins: Cinematography (Roger Deakins), sound mixing (Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson), visual effects (Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler, Dominic Tuohy)
The scene that proves it: “Battlefield run”
Sam Mendes’ deeply personal war film stands as one of the best of the genre in the last 30 years. Roger Deakins comes just shy of besting his camera work on “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” an admirable feat for someone who has dozens of masterpieces to his name. The same goes for composer Thomas Newman, who created his single best orchestration. At the heart of it are two dynamic turns from George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, both of which would have been worthy of slots in their respective acting fields.
Link to Variety review
Boyhood (2014)
Studio: IFC Films
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Produced by: Richard Linklater and Cathleen Sutherland
Written by: Richard Linklater
Stars: Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawke
Oscar Wins: Supporting actress (Arquette)
The scene that proves it: “Mason goes to college”
Richard Linklater’s 12-year filming project paid off in spades in the echo chamber of cinema. Operating the movements of a broken family, with Mason (Coltrane) at the center, the movie stands as one of the best coming-of-age stories ever conceived. Arquette’s Oscar-winning performance has so much power to it, while the musical accompaniments and editing by Sandra Adair create one of the rare occurrences of movie magic without any special effects.
Link to Variety review
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures (now Searchlight Pictures)
Directed by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Produced by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole
Written by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr., Armando Bó
Stars: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts
Oscar Wins: Best picture, director, original screenplay, cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki)
The scene that proves it: “You hate bloggers, you mock Twitter, you don’t even have a Facebook page”
“Birdman” has perhaps been taken for granted for its relevance, not just in the industry, but in the chase to have art appreciated in our digital world. Everybody wants a place in history, and Emma Stone’s fiery speech encapsulates it all. Standing as Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s most courageous excursion in cinema, the film sharpens the knives of what the industry thinks of journalists and underlines its fight to stay relevant. It also serves as a brilliant piece on mental illness, which many don’t discuss enough, powered by the enigmatic ending scene. All of this rings true thanks to Michael Keaton’s Oscar-nominated performance, along with the rest of its cosmic cast.
Link to Variety review
Gravity (2013)
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Produced by: Alfonso Cuarón and David Heyman
Written by: Alfonso Cuarón, Jonás Cuarón
Stars: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney
Oscar Wins: Directing, cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki), film editing (Alfonso Cuarón, Mark Sanger) sound mixing (Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead, Chris Munro), sound editing (Glenn Freemantle), visual effects (Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk, Neil Corbould), original score (Steven Price)
The scene that proves it: “Shenzou re-entry”
For many of us, myself included, there’s “Before Gravity” and “After Gravity” when it comes to space films. The achievement of the writer, director, producer and editor Alfonso Cuarón and his technical team is utterly flawless. In addition, he proves Sandra Bullock wasn’t just a one-trick pony with her Oscar win for “The Blind Side,” delivering her most excellent portrayal ever in film.
Link to Variety review
Arrival (2016)
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Produced by: Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, Aaron Ryder and David Linde
Written by: Eric Heisserer (based on the novel “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang)
Stars: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma
Oscar Wins: Sound editing (Sylvain Bellemare)
The scene that proves it: “This is where your story begins”
Denis Villeneuve, such a prolific filmmaker, assumes that the audience is smart enough to follow his narrative beats without spelling them out. “Arrival” is radiantly active and taut with bones of a thriller but the beating heart of an emotional drama. The film also stands as Amy Adams’ gift to cinema and the single greatest performance she’s ever given (which Oscar shrewdly ignored). It’s all fastened by a bombastic score by Jóhann Jóhannsson (including the pre-existing “On the Nature of Daylight” by Max Richter), stealth camera work by Bradford Young and an ending that makes “ugly crying” an Olympic sport.
Link to Variety review
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Studio: Pixar
Directed by: Lee Unkrich
Produced by: Darla K. Anderson
Written by: Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Jodi Benson, John Morris
Oscar Wins: Animated feature, original song (“We Belong Together” by Randy Newman)
The scene that proves it: “The incinerator”
The only animated best picture nominee of the 2010s (to be clear, not the only worthy), is Pixar at its absolute finest. The entire toy gang’s grappling with their kid Andy going off to college brings about interesting and thought-provoking questions about life’s changes and unpredictability. With an equal amount of laughs and tears, Lee Unkrich’s direction has always stood out as one of the defining examples of the vital role of a director on animated features, something the Academy should wise up to recognize in the future.
Link to Variety review
Moonlight (2016)
Studio: A24
Directed by: Barry Jenkins
Produced by: Adele Romanski, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner
Written by: Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney
Stars: Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali
Oscar Wins: Best picture, supporting actor (Mahershala Ali), adapted screenplay
The scene that proves it: “The diner”
Probably the most shocking best picture winner of all time — but the moment was stolen and overshadowed by the fragrant mix-up of #EnvelopeGate. Barry Jenkins’ depiction of Black American youth in three stages showcases his passionate fervor for the human condition. Every player gets their time to shine, showing vulnerability and truth, especially in the performances of Oscar-winner Ali, Oscar-nominee Harris and the snubbed works of Rhodes. The etched spot of the movie in the Academy will forever serve as a symbol to multi-generations and cultures that struggle with identity and sexuality. There’s a place for you here.
Link to Variety review
Roma (2018)
Studio: Netflix
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Produced by: Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón
Written by: Alfonso Cuarón
Stars: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira
Oscar Wins: Directing, cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki), international feature (Mexico)
The scene that proves it: “Shopping for a crib”
Netflix’s emotional drama following Cleo (Aparicio), a maid who becomes pregnant and is abandoned by her boyfriend Fermin, is one of the most beautiful films the Academy has ever recognized, though it came up short in the top category. It co-led the nomination tally of its respective year with “The Favourite” and is tied with Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000) as the most nominated non-English language film in history. Deeply personal, with Cuaron acting as his own cinematographer, the film is a love letter to the heavenly bodies that created the movies for us all.
Link to Variety review

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The Top Oscar Best Picture Nominees, Ranked (2010 to Present)

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

Amour (2011)

Captain Phillips (2013)

Get Out (2017)

Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Joker (2019)

Brooklyn (2015)

The Fighter (2010)

The Tree of Life (2011)

Moneyball (2011)

Nebraska (2013)

The Social Network (2010)

Black Panther (2018)

Inception (2010)

Whiplash (2014)

Minari (2020)

12 Years a Slave (2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Nomadland (2020)

Spotlight (2015)

Selma (2014)

Lady Bird (2017)

Her (2013)

Parasite (2019)

1917 (2019)

Boyhood (2014)

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Gravity (2013)

Arrival (2016)

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Moonlight (2016)

Roma (2018)

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