The 10 Worst Best Picture Oscar Winners Ranked
The Academy Awards are Hollywood’s biggest night, with the Best Picture Oscar as the ultimate prize. But not every winner stands the test of time, and some leave audiences scratching their heads over the Academy’s choices.
These films, despite their prestigious wins, have drawn criticism for weak storytelling, dated themes, or simply failing to live up to the hype. Here’s my ranked list of the 10 worst movies to ever win Best Picture, counting down from the least bad to the truly baffling.
10. The English Patient (1996)
This romantic epic follows a burned pilot’s wartime memories, starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. Its lush visuals and sweeping score impressed voters, but the slow pace drags for many.
Critics praise its ambition, yet audiences often find it bloated and hard to connect with. It’s a film that feels more admired than loved.
9. Out of Africa (1985)
Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this sprawling romance set in colonial Kenya. The stunning cinematography carried it to victory, but the thin plot and glacial pacing test patience.
The film leans hard on visuals over substance, leaving characters underdeveloped. It’s a beautiful but empty experience for many viewers.
8. Ordinary People (1980)
This family drama, directed by Robert Redford, explores grief with Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore. Its emotional depth won hearts, but the dour tone and dated style feel heavy today.
Some call it powerful, but others find it slow and overly melodramatic. It’s a film that hasn’t aged as gracefully as its peers.
7. Chariots of Fire (1981)
This sports drama follows British runners in the 1924 Olympics, known for its iconic beach-running scene. The rousing score and underdog story charmed voters, but the pacing is uneven and the characters flat.
Modern audiences often find it dull despite its cultural impact. The film’s legacy rests more on its music than its story.
6. Gigi (1958)
This musical romance, set in Paris, stars Leslie Caron as a young woman groomed for courtship. Its lavish costumes and catchy songs won over the Academy, but the creepy premise and shallow plot age poorly.
The film’s charm feels forced, and its themes raise eyebrows today. It’s a dated relic of its era.
5. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Cecil B. DeMille’s circus spectacle boasts big stars like Charlton Heston and a grand scale. The Academy loved its flash, but the thin story and wooden acting make it a slog.
It’s more a showcase of stunts than a coherent film. Many see it as a win driven by hype over quality.
4. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
This drama follows the friendship between a Black chauffeur and a white widow, starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy. Its warm tone won voters, but the simplistic take on race feels patronizing now.
Critics note its dated stereotypes and lack of depth. It’s a film that’s hard to defend as a Best Picture today.
3. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
This adventure comedy, based on Jules Verne’s novel, stars David Niven and a massive cast. Its globe-trotting spectacle dazzled in its day, but the bloated runtime and weak humor fall flat.
The film feels like a gimmick stretched too thin. It’s a curiosity that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
2. Cimarron (1931)
This early Western follows a family’s saga in Oklahoma, winning for its ambitious scope. But the stilted acting and offensive stereotypes make it nearly unwatchable now.
Even for its time, the story lacks focus. It’s a historical footnote rather than a film worth revisiting.
1. Crash (2004)
This ensemble drama about race in Los Angeles, starring Sandra Bullock and Matt Dillon, shocked by beating ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ Its heavy-handed messages and contrived plot twists drew quick backlash.
Many call it preachy and manipulative, with stereotypes undermining its intent. It’s widely seen as one of the Academy’s biggest blunders.
Which of these Best Picture winners do you think least deserved the Oscar, or is there another you’d rank lower? Drop your take in the comments!