Oscar-Winning Movies Worth Watching
The 90th Academy Awards ceremony is just around the corner (March 4, 2018, to be exact). There are a lot of amazing movies that have been nominated this year, including Call Me By My Name and Shape of Water- however, have you had a chance to check out a number of movies that have already won an Academy Award or even more in previous years? While you’re waiting to get your Oscars fix, you should definitely check out the list that we’ve kindly compiled for you below:
Whiplash (2014) – An American drama film. An ambitious jazz musician finds himself under the wing of an abusive instructor. Directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. Won Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons).
Spotlight (2015) – American biographical drama film. The Boston Globe‘s “Spotlight” investigative journalism unit uncovers the child sex abuse in the Boston area by a number of Roman Catholic priests. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, and Rachel McAdams. Won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
Les Miserables (2012) – Musical drama film. Set in France during the early 19th century. An ex-convict turns his life around after being inspired by a bishop. Starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, and Amanda Seyfried. Won Academy Awards for Best Sound Mixing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway).
Django Unchained (2012) – American revisionist Western film. A freed slave sets off to save his wife from a brutal plantation owner with the help of a German bounty hunter. Directed by Quentin Tarantino. Starring Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson. Won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
The Help (2011) – American Period Drama film. A young white woman and aspiring journalist Skeeter decides to write a book from the perspective of the maids of the south, exposing the racism they are subjected to while working for these white families. Starring Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone. Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer)
Inception (2010) – Sci-fi film. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a thief who steals information from his targets by entering their subconscious. Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, and Tom Hardy. Won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects.
Black Swan (2010) – Psychological horror film. Nina, a dedicated ballerina, loses herself as she competes with a fellow ballerina, the sensual Lily, for the role of the Swan Princess in a production of the Swan Lake ballet. Directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Winona Ryder. Won Academy Award for Best Actress (Natalie Portman).
Up (2009) – 3D-Computer animated comedy-action adventure movie. Widower Carl decides to tie balloons to his home in order to fulfill his dream and keep his promise with his wife Ellie. Won Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.
Juno (2010) – American coming-of-age comedy-drama. Juno deals with the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy and the subsequent adult decisions she needs to make concerning her future. Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, and Jennifer Garner.Won Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – Dark fantasy film. Ofelia encounters a mysterious yet magical fauna who tells her she is a princess that must overcome a number of trials in order to return to her true home, in another world. Directed by Guillermo Del Toro. Won Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup.
Babel (2006) – Drama. A multi-narrative drama that takes place in Morocco, Japan, Mexico, and the US. Starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Won Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Boys Don’t Cry (1999) – American biographical film. A dramatization of the real-life Brandon Teena, an American trans man, who falls in love but falls victim to a hate-crime perpetrated by two of his male acquaintances. Starring Hilary Swank and Chloë Sevigny. Won Academy Awards for Best Actress (Hilary Swank) and Best Supporting Actress (Chloë Sevigny).