Every year, I get excited when the Oscars come around to see which movie is going to win the award for best picture. I have put together a list of my five favorite movies that have won best picture in hopes you can find a new favorite movie and something good to watch!
1. Moonlight
The movie Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins, is a new favorite movie of mine. I recently watched the movie in one of my classes and instantly found a love for this movie. Winning best picture in 2016, Moonlight follows a young African American boy named Chiron as he deals with his growing identity and sexuality and all of the struggles that come with it. This movie was thought out and very easy and enjoyable to watch.
2. Titanic
This movie is one that most people are familiar with. Titanic, directed by James Cameron, won an Oscar for best picture in 1997. The movie follows two young people named Jack and Rose as they fall in love on the unlucky ship called the Titanic. It is a very good love story and I know this movie is many people’s favorite!
3. 12 Years a Slave
12 Years a Slave can be a difficult movie to watch. Winning an Oscar in 2013, the movie follows the story of a man named Soloman Northup who was free but then abducted and sold into slavery. This movie is hard to watch but very important to know and understand these stories.
4. Coda
The most recent winner of an Oscar for best picture (2021), Coda, tells a great story. It follows a seventeen year old girl named Ruby who is the only member in her family who can hear. The movie highlights her struggle in balancing her dreams of singing and helping her family’s fishing business stay alive. CODA stands for child of deaf adults. This movie is one of my favorites and one I would recommend everyone should watch.
5. Forrest Gump
This movie is what some may call a classic. Forrest Gump won an Oscar in 1994. This movie follows a man, Forrest Gump, who has great optimism and never looks at himself as disadvantaged. The movie follows him doing all sorts of things, but the one thing he cares about most is his childhood love, Jenny, who is troubled. This movie is great, and many people have this movie on their favorite movies of all time list.
There are so many movies out there that are worth watching. These five movies have all won an Oscar for best picture and deservingly so. There are many other movies with Oscar wins that I could add to this list. I hope at least one of these becomes one of your new favorites!