Ahead of the nominations forThe Oscars 2025, it seems like an appropriate time to look back at the 10 Best Picture winners with the highest scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, the Best Picture category is the only one to receive 10 nominations, rather than the standard five, across all 23 categories. With the broad scope of talent in 2024, it is difficult topredict which film at the 2025 Oscars ceremonycould be the strongest contender to come out on top. That being said, thePGA nominees for Best Motion Picture make the Best Picture racea little clearer.
It is safe to say the past century has seen a surge in high-quality films. Since the ceremony began in 1929, not all theBest Picture winnershave performed well financially. This has little impact on their cultural standing in history, as of all 96 winners, over half of them have a critics rating of 90% or above on Rotten Tomatoes.These films are equally popular with the public as they are with the Academy. The list of the Best Picture winners ranked by Tomatometer highlights how many incredible titles have been awarded with the accolade.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Cast
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans is a 1927 silent film directed by F.W. Murnau. The story centers on a married farmer who becomes entangled with a woman from the city, leading to a dramatic conflict as she attempts to persuade him to murder his wife.
The 1927 motion picture,Sunrise: A Song of Two Humansis the tenth highest-rated Best Picture winner, with 98% on the Tomatometer. It tellsa rather simple story of a husband’s betrayal, and his affair with a girl from the city. The movie begins with a dreamlike depiction of rural life, and gradually moves to portray the bustling life of a latter-day American city.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humansis a production by F.W. Murnau, who had created the 1922Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, prior to this. For this reason,Sunriseis associated with 20th century German Expressionism. However, it was for this reason that the final result was a commercial flop. Critics argued thatSunrise: A Song of Two Humanswas contradictory, as it moved the nuanced expressionist style into a big scale, Hollywood production. That being said,it has found its standing as a classic todayin spite of not recuperating its costs.
All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front is a 1930 film that follows a group of young German soldiers navigating the brutal conditions of World War I on the Western Front, revealing the stark disparity between their initial patriotism and the grim realities of war.
All Quiet on the Western Frontfollows a group of German schoolboys who are enlisted at the beginning of the First World War at the hands of their teacher. The film is told through the lens of the young German recruits, and it focuses its efforts on highlighting the tragedies of war. The 1930 production is the original version, and is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Erich Maria Remarque.
10 Greatest Best Picture Oscar Nominees That Didn’t Win
Though the Oscars can be a good indicator of the best movies of the year, plenty of fantastic films shouldn’t have lost for Best Picture.
All Quiet on the Western Frontis a major achievement for wartime films, and it went onto win five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. In recent years,All Quiet on the Western Frontwas adapted for the screen in 2022, and was directed by Edward Berge. Although it did not receive as many accolades, the modern picture did win an Academy Award for Best Production Design and Best International Feature.
Rebecca
A young bride struggles to escape the lingering influence of Rebecca, her husband Max De Winter’s late wife, whose death remains shrouded in mystery. While uncovering Max’s disturbing secret, she faces the obsessive housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who remains fiercely loyal to Rebecca and refuses to recognize her as the rightful mistress of the home.
The 1940 filmRebeccaisAlfred Hitchcock’s only Best Picture winnerat the Academy Awards. It also marks Hitchcock’s first American film, and currently sits at 98% on the Tomatometer.Rebeccadelivers a stirring atmosphere and spellbinding tension, which bringsHitchcock’s legendary status as the master of suspenseto fruition. The story is detailed, and tells of a young woman who marries a widower, only to discover his former wife, Rebecca, had a rather mysterious death years earlier.
The movie opened to critical and commercial success, and received eleven nominations at the Academy Awards, surpassing any other film that year. In 2018,Rebeccabecameone of the films recognized by the Library of Congressfor being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,“as it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
It Happened One Night
It Happened One Night is a 1934 romantic comedy directed by Frank Capra, featuring Claudette Colbert as a runaway heiress and Clark Gable as a rogue reporter. The film follows their journey as they unexpectedly team up after being stranded during a bus trip.
It Happened One Nightwas released in 1934, and wasdirected by Frank Capra— who later went onto direct the renowned feature,It’s a Wonderful Life.Capra’s acclaimed romantic comedy is some of his best work, and has been the inspiration for many films within the same genre. The movie features a lady who marries a pilot in an act of rebellion against her father.
It Happened One Nightis a crowning achievement at the Academy Awards, as it became the first of only three movies to ever win all five major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, and Best Screenplay.The film was an immediate commercial successthanks to the performances of its lead actors. The enduring popularity ofIt Happened One Nightis owed to the comedic nature brought to life by the cast, in addition to their on-screen chemistry.
Schindler’s List
Schindler’s List is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicling the efforts of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes, the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed during World War II while highlighting Schindler’s transformation from a profit-driven industrialist to a humanitarian savior.
Schindler’s Listis arguably one of the greatest movies ever made. Without a doubt, the epic historical drama isSteven Spielberg’s magnum opusand was a defining moment in the director’s professional career. The movie depicts a number of real historical figures, and tells the story of how Oskar Schindler rescued over 1,000 individuals from Nazi execution during the Second World War.
The movie will remain a turning point in the historical narrative of the Holocaust, as the narrative inspired many survivors to tell their own story.
AlthoughSchindler’s Listwon the Best Picture category at the 66th Academy Awards, there was a lot of discourse surrounding the Best Supporting Actor, whereRalph Fiennes lost for his portrayal of Amon Goth inSchindler’s List. Not only wasSchindler’s Listthe first win in the Best Director category for Spielberg, but it earned over $300 million at the box office. While this is significant,Schindler’s Listwill remain to be remembered for itsrelevance in history. The movie will remain a turning point in the historical narrative of the Holocaust, as the narrative inspired many survivors to tell their own story.
Moonlight
Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight follows Chiron (Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex Hibbert) during three stages of his life, starting in childhood and progressing all the way up through adulthood. The film explores themes of identity and sexuality, chronicling Chiron’s life as a gay black man growing up in Miami to an abusive, drug-addicted mother.
Moonlightjoins the list of films with a 98% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The 2016 film, brought to the screen by A24, shows the three crucial stages in Chirton’s life as he ventures on the journey to manhood. Barry Jenkins directed the piece, andMoonlightis a pivotal account of African-American life, which is too rarely featured in cinema. The movie is groundbreaking and won three Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and the Best Supporting Actor win for Mahershala Ali.
Notably,Moonlightwas the first film with an all-Black cast to win Best Picture. Unfortunately, one of the most recognizable moments forMoonlightat the Oscars was the confusion around the announcement for Best Picture. In the final moments of the ceremony, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway declaredLa La Landas the winner of Best Picture, before it was revealed this was incorrect. The cast ofMoonlightswiftly came onto stage to accept the award.
On The Waterfront
On the Waterfront, released in 1954, follows Terry Malloy, a dockworker and former boxer entangled with corrupt union bosses. The film explores his moral awakening and struggle to stand against organized crime after becoming romantically involved, as he seeks justice and redemption amidst the harsh realities of the waterfront.
On the Waterfrontstars the famed actor of the 20th century, and acts as one of themovies that defined Marlon Brando’s career.On the Waterfrontearned Brando his first Oscar award, and won for Best Picture, too. The supporting cast help build the appeal ofOn the Waterfront,but ultimately, it is Brando who brings this film to life. It has been said that Brando redefined the cinematic landscape, and the 1954 film is one of the greatest instances of this.
The crime drama is still incredibly poignant today, and centers around a crisis of conscience in a world fraught with violence and corruption. The incredibly powerful feature by Elia Kazan was re-released to theaters in April 2024. The 4K digital restoration was put together by Columbia Pictures to celebrate its 70th anniversary.
All About Eve
In this backstage drama, aspiring actress Eve Harrington enters Broadway star Margo Channing’s life, weaving a tale of hardship. Welcomed by Margo and her circle, Eve’s gratitude soon reveals darker intentions as she manipulates her way into Margo’s world.
All About Eveis the 23rd movie to win the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards, and has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.All About Eveis reputable for breaking records at the ceremony, withfour female acting nominees— an accomplishment that is unmatched, even today. In total, the film received six awards across multiple categories. However, the film omitted recognition of the original short story writer, Mary Orr.
The Hollywood classic revolves around a venerated Broadway star and an aspiring star who sets out to destroy her professional career and personal relationships.All About Evedelighted critics during its release in 1950.The film offers a refreshing feminist perspective for a film of its time, andAll About Eve’s main cast stars the beloved Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, and George Sanders.
Casablanca
Casablanca is a classic film set in December 1941, starring Humphrey Bogart as a cynical American expatriate in Morocco. When he encounters a former lover, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, complicated personal and political tensions arise amidst the backdrop of World War II.
Casablancaisone of the most illustrious pieces of cinema in Hollywood history, and is an undisputed masterpiece in story and performance.Casablancais a tale of romance and has only become more treasured in the years following its release. This is, in part, owed to the captivating performances of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The intricate story follows a man confronted with his former lover, seeking his help as she flees the Nazi reign with her new partner.
8 Directors With The Most Best Director Oscar Nominations
There have been many acclaimed directors who have received several Best Director nominations from the Academy for their work in the movie industry.
The movie has had a momentous impact, but it isthe dialogue inCasablancathat serves as it’s defining characteristic. There have been discussions about a sequel or remake toCasablancain the past, but these ideas have never materialized. This is an increasingly positive outcome, as it would be difficult to recreate the magic ofCasablancafollowing its lasting legacy.
Parasite
Parasite is a 2019 South Korean film directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film follows the destitute Kim family as they infiltrate the affluent Park household by manipulating their way into various household roles, leading to unforeseen consequences.
Parasiteastounded audiences in 2019, where it quickly became a favorite for both audiences and critics alike. Bong Joon-ho’s film offers political commentary through dark humor and themes that create a masterclass in suspense.Parasitetells ofthe relationship between a wealthy family and an impoverished one, where greed and discrimination are central themes.
Parasitewon four Academy Awards, and became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.
The film was praised for providing an in-depth look into a number of timely social themes, and the incredibly strong performances fromthe entire cast ofParasite. Consequently,Parasitewon fourAcademy Awards, and became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.
With a remarkably modest budget of only $11.4 million,Parasitesurpassed the $200 million mark at the global box office. Not only is the feature the director’s highest-grossing release,Parasiteimmediately became the most streamed foreign-language film on Hulu, according toIndieWire.
Oscars
The Oscars, also known as The Academy Awards, is an annual awards show celebrating workers in the film industry for their artistic and technical abilities. The Oscars are often considered the most prestigious awards show in the industry and date back to 1929. The 96th Academy Awards will be held on August 22, 2025, and be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on ABC.
