Top 20 Movies That Are Better Than Best Picture Winners

The Academy Awards celebrate cinematic achievements each year yet they do not always select the film that stands the test of time. History is filled with instances where a runner-up or a snubbed masterpiece has eclipsed the actual Best Picture winner in cultural impact. Audiences often embrace these overlooked films for their innovation and storytelling long after the ceremony concludes. The following list highlights twenty exceptional movies that are widely considered superior to the films that took home the golden statue.

‘Roma’ (2018)

Alfonso Cuarón directs this semi-autobiographical take on his upbringing in Mexico City. The story follows a domestic worker named Cleo as she navigates personal trauma and political unrest. Critics praised the film for its stunning black and white cinematography and deep emotional resonance. It lost the top prize to a far more conventional crowd pleaser that year. Many consider this streaming release a masterpiece of modern cinema.

‘The Social Network’ (2010)

David Fincher captures the chaotic founding of Facebook through the eyes of Mark Zuckerberg. The screenplay by Aaron Sorkin delivers rapid dialogue and explores themes of betrayal and ambition. Jesse Eisenberg gives a defining performance as the socially awkward tech genius. The film lost to a historical drama about the British monarchy. It remains a crucial document of the digital age and its personal costs.

‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005)

Ang Lee directs this poignant romance between two sheepherders in the American West. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver heartbreaking performances as men constrained by societal expectations. The film was widely favored to win the main award but lost in a shock upset. Its exploration of love and loss has only grown in estimation over the years. The cinematography beautifully captures the isolation of the Wyoming landscape.

‘Fargo’ (1996)

The Coen brothers crafted a dark comedy crime thriller set in the frozen landscapes of Minnesota. Frances McDormand stars as a pregnant police chief investigating a series of inept crimes. The unique dialogue and quirky characters set it apart from standard police procedurals. It lost the top award to a sweeping romantic war epic. This film later inspired a successful television series and remains a cult classic.

‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982)

Steven Spielberg tells the magical story of a lonely boy who befriends a stranded alien. The film captured the hearts of audiences worldwide and became an immediate blockbuster. It explores childhood innocence and the pain of separation with genuine emotion. The Academy chose a biopic about a historical figure for the big prize instead. This sci-fi classic continues to define wonder for generations of viewers.

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)

Gene Kelly stars in this technicolor musical about the transition from silent films to talkies. The movie features some of the most iconic dance numbers ever committed to celluloid. It is celebrated for its wit and energy and technical brilliance. The film was not even nominated for Best Picture despite its legendary status today. It stands as a joyful testament to the golden age of Hollywood.

‘Double Indemnity’ (1944)

Billy Wilder defines the film noir genre with this tale of insurance fraud and murder. Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck display electric chemistry as the doomed conspirators. The script crackles with cynicism and sharp dialogue that set the standard for crime dramas. It lost to a sentimental musical that has largely faded from memory. This movie remains the blueprint for dark thrillers.

‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1971)

Stanley Kubrick directs this dystopian crime film based on the novel by Anthony Burgess. Malcolm McDowell stars as the charismatic delinquent Alex DeLarge in a future Britain. The movie explores questions of free will and the morality of state-sponsored psychological conditioning. Its stylized violence and distinctive visual language alienated some voters at the time. It is now studied as a provocative work of art.

‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)

Martin Scorsese plunges viewers into the gritty streets of New York City through the eyes of Travis Bickle. Robert De Niro gives a terrifying performance as a lonely veteran descending into madness. The film captures the paranoia and decay of the era with unflinching realism. It lost to a rousing sports drama that pleased mainstream audiences. This psychological study remains one of the most influential films of the seventies.

‘Raging Bull’ (1980)

Robert De Niro transforms physically and emotionally to play boxer Jake LaMotta. Martin Scorsese shoots the fight scenes with brutal poetry and black and white intensity. The film examines the self-destructive nature of jealousy and rage. It lost the main award to a family drama that felt safer to voters. Critics consistently rank this biography among the greatest American films ever made.

‘Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb’ (1964)

Stanley Kubrick satirizes the Cold War fears of nuclear annihilation in this black comedy. Peter Sellers delivers three distinct and hilarious performances in the film. The plot exposes the absurdity of military bureaucracy and political posturing. It lost to a musical adaptation that was far more traditional. The film remains a terrifyingly funny commentary on human incompetence.

‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

Francis Ford Coppola transports the plot of Heart of Darkness to the Vietnam War. Martin Sheen travels upriver to assassinate a rogue colonel played by Marlon Brando. The production was notoriously difficult but resulted in a hallucinatory war epic. It lost to a domestic drama about divorce. This film is widely regarded as a definitive statement on the madness of war.

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Stanley Kubrick revolutionized science fiction with this visual masterpiece spanning human history. The narrative moves from the dawn of man to a future space mission controlled by an AI. Special effects in the film were decades ahead of their time and remain impressive. It was largely ignored for major awards in favor of a musical. It stands today as a profound meditation on evolution and technology.

‘Citizen Kane’ (1941)

Orson Welles wrote and directed and starred in this groundbreaking examination of a media tycoon. The film introduced innovative camera techniques and narrative structures that changed cinema forever. It tracks the rise and fall of Charles Foster Kane through the memories of his associates. The movie famously lost to a nostalgic drama about Welsh coal miners. It frequently tops lists of the greatest films in history.

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

Frank Capra directs this holiday classic about a man who is shown what the world would be like without him. James Stewart embodies the everyman hero George Bailey with warmth and vulnerability. The film initially performed poorly at the box office and awards ceremonies. It found its massive audience years later through television broadcasts. The story is now an essential part of American culture.

‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)

Steven Spielberg redefines the war genre with a harrowing depiction of the D-Day invasion. Tom Hanks leads a squad of soldiers on a dangerous mission to retrieve a paratrooper. The visceral combat sequences brought a new level of realism to World War II films. It surprisingly lost the top award to a period romantic comedy. The film serves as a powerful tribute to the sacrifices of the greatest generation.

‘Star Wars’ (1977)

George Lucas created a space opera that became a global cultural phenomenon. The story of Luke Skywalker and his allies fighting the Empire revitalized the blockbuster format. It pioneered special effects and sound design that set new industry standards. The Academy awarded the top prize to a neurotic romantic comedy instead. This film launched a massive franchise and changed the business of moviemaking.

‘Goodfellas’ (1990)

Martin Scorsese directs this fast-paced look at the allure and violence of the mob lifestyle. Ray Liotta stars as Henry Hill who navigates the criminal underworld for decades. The film is famous for its kinetic editing and memorable classic rock soundtrack. It lost to a western epic that has not held the same cultural relevance. This crime drama is often cited as the high point of the genre.

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Quentin Tarantino weaves together intersecting stories of hitmen and boxers and criminals. The non-linear narrative and sharp dialogue reinvigorated independent cinema in the nineties. Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta deliver iconic performances that redefined their careers. The movie lost to a sentimental journey through American history. It remains a stylistic landmark that influenced countless imitators.

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

Andy Dufresne maintains his innocence while serving a life sentence in a corrupt prison. He forms a deep friendship with fellow inmate Red and becomes a beacon of hope. The film explores themes of time and patience and the resilience of the human spirit. It failed to win the big award but has since become the highest-rated movie on IMDb. Audiences connect deeply with its emotional payoff and message of redemption.

Tell us which of these films you think deserved the Best Picture award in the comments.