For any movie lover,Academy Awards seasonis a time to revel in your favorite films of the year, and root for them to get the recognition they deserve. In some cases, the movies that win are shoo-ins. In others, jaws drop when the winner’s name is announced (assuming it was the right one, that is).
Every Oscar-winning movie is an expression of cinematic excellence. Some Best Picture winners have been no-brainers, likeCasablanca, Schindler’s List, andThe Godfather. But sometimes, another nominated film in a given year is deemed more deserving by voters. Because of this, some Oscar-winning movies are remembered as highly overrated victors in the Best Picture category.
Crash (2004)
Arguably one of the most polarizing Best Picture winners ever,Crashwas a good movie with powerful messages about racism and prejudice, delivered through several intertwining stories that developed into strings of coincidences. It was agoodmovie, but it wasn’t necessarily agreatone.
The crime drama, which was produced, directed, and co-written by Paul Haggis, had an impressive ensemble cast and received decent reviews, with critics praising the realistic handling of timely and controversial subject matter. ButCrashwas also criticized for being unconvincing. The storylines were messily contrived to weave a coherent message together that felt like it was spoon-feeding a message to viewers. What had most people up in arms, however, was thatCrashwon against other powerful and influential movies that were nominated that year, likeBrokeback Mountain.
WatchCrashon HBO Max.
Rocky (1976)
There’s no denyingRocky’s place in pop culture and film history — its inclusion on this list isn’t designed to minimize that. But the movie doesn’t quite fit the typical Oscar-winning movie type. This isn’t to say a movie likeRockyshouldn’t be recognized, but the sports drama isn’t in the same league as others that have taken home the statue in the past (and since). This is especially so when considering that other films nominated in the category that year includedAll the President’s MenandTaxi Driver.
Rockyis feel-good cinema at its finest, the story of a small-time fighter who realizes his dream of getting a shot at the world heavyweight title. It has a wonderful mix of both heart and intense action, and the movie remains a timeless classic. But whileRockyinspires, there’s little depth to the story to justify the win in such a prestigious category.
WatchRockyon Netflix or streamRockyon Paramount+.
Dances With Wolves (1990)
That any movie nominated the same year asGoodfellaswould win against that groundbreaking gangster film immediately suggests that it’s overrated. But what makes the win by the epic Western filmDances with Wolveseven more confounding is that it also perpetuates the outdated white savior trope, which would likely never fly today and shouldn’t have even back then.
The film has since been criticized for its lack of authenticity, particularly regarding the Lakota language, which only one actor in the movie was actually a native speaker of.Dances with Wolveswas a passion project for Kevin Costner, who starred, directed, and produced it. As his directorial debut, the win solidified his position in Hollywood as more than just someone who worked in front of the camera. But considering that not onlyGoodfellas, but alsoAwakeningsandGhost, were up against it that year, the win was disappointing.
WatchDances With Wolveson HBO Max.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Shakespeare in Lovehad wonderful costumes and a fine cast. But in hindsight, it was nothing more than a glorified, far less sexualized version ofBridgerton. The plot, at its core, was corny, depicting a fictional version of William Shakespeare who falls in love with a woman named Viola while he’s writingRomeo and Juliet.
The Academy loves period pieces, and this very well might be whyShakespeare in Lovewon over other nominated films that year, likeThe Thin Red LineandSaving Private Ryan. But it’s merely a romantic comedy set in the Elizabethan era with stunning costumes.Shakespeare in Loveis a well-acted, visual spectacle, but its status as a Best Picture winner is questionable.
WatchShakespeare in Loveon Paramount+ or streamShakespeare in Loveon The Roku Channel.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
The Academy loves artsy movies, butBirdmantakes the concept of being artsy to an entirely different level. The black comedy-drama is about a has-been actor who gained fame playing a superhero known as Birdman and continues to be haunted by the character. The story follows his attempt to revive a now flailing career on Broadway. The entire movie is meant to look as though everything is filmed in one shot.
Birdmanhas been analyzed and overanalyzed to interpret the true meaning, hidden themes, and satirical critiques, making it one of the more cerebral Oscar-winning films. But whileBirdmanshould have earned Michael Keaton an Oscar, the Best Picture award should have gone to another movie that year, likeThe Grand Budapest Hotel, American Sniper, The Theory of Everything, orSelma.
WatchBirdmanon HBO Max
Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
One of the biggest upsets in Oscar history was when a little film about a wealthy Jewish woman and her travels with her Black chauffer won Best Picture over the touching and inspirational dramaDead Poets Society. The chemistry between Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman inDriving Miss Daisywas wonderful, but the movie was far too subtle to justify its win over the far more captivating and exciting Robin Williams classic.
What’s more,Driving Miss Daisyhas been criticized for its depiction of racism. Its choice for nomination in the first place overDo the Right Thingby Spike Lee, now considered one of the best films of the ’80s, was cause for uproar as well. The outdated stereotypes ofDriving Miss Daisywould likely lead to even more pushback today.
WatchDriving Miss Daisyon HBO Max
Gladiator (2000)
Many argue thatGladiatoronly won Best Picture in 2000 because it didn’t have much competition to go up against: the other nominees in the category includedChocolat, Erin Brockovich,Traffic, andCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
The high-action Ridley Scott film, starring Russell Crowe as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, is an exciting epic historical drama.Gladiatoris a fun summer movie, not necessarily one that should be considered for Oscar contention.
With that said, we can credit movies likeGladiatorfor reinvigorating the “swords and sandals” genre that touches on ancient history, both fictional and real. WithoutGladiator’s success, we might never have been graced with shows likeGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragon, nor movies like300, Robin Hood, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But visual spectacles and masculine themes alone don’t justify Oscar glory.Gladiatormight have rightfully been the year’s blockbuster movie, but it wasn’t necessarily Oscar-worthy.
WatchGladiatoron Paramount+.
Green Book (2018)
Inspired by a true story,Green Bookfollows Don (Mahershala Ali, who won his second Oscar for the role), a Black pianist and his journeys with his Italian American driver and bodyguard, Frank (Viggo Mortensen), during an eight-week concert tour through the Deep South. Before taking the job, Tony is givenThe Negro Motorist Green Book, which serves as a guide in the Jim Crow South for Black travelers to find housing, gas stations, and restaurants they are permitted to patronize.
The movie takes viewers on a journey as the two men warm to one another and go through various adventures. Knowing it’s all based on a true story and real people makesGreen Bookintriguing. But it’s a slow-moving story that some believe did not deserve to win over other nominated movies likeBlacKkKlansman, Roma,andVice.
WatchGreen Bookon Fubo TV.
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
The Cecile B. DeMille dramaThe Greatest Show on Earthwas a visual spectacle about the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It is an enjoyable film, but many also call it melodramatic, devoid of a real plot, too long, and clichéd.
The Greatest Show on Earthis a charming movie, and it made waves when it debuted in 1952, becoming a box-office success. But going up against much more nuanced films likeHigh Noon, Ivanhoe, andThe Quiet Man, as well as evenMoulin Rouge(not the Nicole Kidman musical version),The Greatest Show on Earthcontinues to be named among the worst Best Picture winners in Oscar history. Many believe the win was simply a way to cap off DeMille’s almost 40-year career at the time. Considered a founding father of American cinema, it was to be his final project and, as a fitting send off, marked his first nomination (and win). Interestingly, DeMille did end up returning four years later withThe Ten Commandments, which would’ve been a more fitting movie to honor as a tribute to DeMille’s illustrious career.
WatchThe Greatest Show on Earthon Paramount+ via Amazon.
American Beauty (1999)
By today’s standards,American Beautywould be considered predatory and downright creepy. The story of a man (Kevin Spacey) dealing with his midlife crisis by becoming obsessed with and fantasizing about his teenage daughter’s friend (Mena Suvari) is sometimes painful to watch. The message is supposed to be about an aging man regaining a sense of youthfulness and excitement in his life, but it’s at the expense of ogling a young woman.
The artsy angle to the story and hidden depth is arguably whyAmerican Beautywas nominated in the first place. Dubbed a black comedy,American Beautyis supposed to function as a satire of beauty and its perception within the middle class, as well as serve as a story of redemption. But with far more entertaining and well-executed movies that year likeThe Sixth SenseandThe Insider,American Beautyreceived more attention and accolades than it deserved.
