Summary
Over the past century,certain years have stood out as the best in Hollywood history.This may be due to an astonishing number of amazing movies that came out that year, or significant technical advancements that were made in the industry. While thebest movies of all timelikely did not make their respective years of release the best on their own, several more like them can make the date a truly impressive year to remember.
The movies released during years like this likely had a lasting impact in one way or another,giving rise to new talent or filmmaking techniques. The best years are probably considered so by critics and moviegoers because of many artistically worthwhile movies that were honored at the Academy Awards. However, a once-in-a-lifetime movie event can also turn the year into a highlight. Movie fans will not only remember it because of what won Best Picture, but also because of what galvanized audiences on an unprecedented level.
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101939
Best Movies Include: Gone With The Wind, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, & The Wizard Of Oz
1939 is often referred to as the best year in the history of Hollywood,kicking off the Golden Age with several of the most famous classics of all time.Gone with the Windremains thehighest-grossing movie of all timewhen adjusted for inflation. While this long-form, dramatic motion picture took home the award for Best Picture at the 12th Academy Awards ceremony, the family adventureThe Wizard of Ozwas also a nominee. Dorothy Gale’s longing ballad “Over the Rainbow” and Rhett Butler’s brutal one-liners constitute some of the most famous movie moments ever.
The Academy was still selecting 10 Best Picture nominees every year before sticking to five for many decades. Another milestone hit and Best Picture nominee was the investigation into the ideals vs. reality of American politics inMr. Smith Goes to Washington, starring Jimmy Stewart, who was still relatively new at the time. After a decade or so of Hollywood being a true industry,these movies showcased the emotion and thoughtfulness that could be captured on-screenand made the following hundred years possible.
91959
Best Movies Include: Ben-Hur, North By Northwest, & Some Like It Hot
The Diary of Anne FrankandAnatomy of a Murderwere among the Best Picture nominees in 1959, butBen-Hurwon the foremost award and changed the game for action movies. The Ancient Rome revenge epic raised the bar for stunts and intense action, the evolution of which can be seen in movies such asThe Dark KnightandMad Max: Fury Road(all of which aremovies that revolutionized the action genre).Outside the Academy, Alfred Hitchcock hit another milestone in his career withNorth By Northwest,starring Cary Grant.
While Stewart continued to lead landmark movies, Marilyn Monroe was also one of the biggest stars in Hollywood at the time.
Stewart appeared inAnatomy of a Murderthis year, but had already madeRear Windowwith Hitchcock; their two separate successes would have drawn attention to each other. While Stewart continued to lead landmark movies, Marilyn Monroe was also one of the biggest stars in Hollywood at the time. PossiblyMonroe’s best moviecame out in 1959:Some Like It Hot.Some Like It Hotchanged Hollywood for the better with a more open-minded approach to gender and sexualitythan had ever been seen at the movie theaters.
81975
Best Movies Include: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Barry Lyndon, & Jaws
1975 is one of the earliest years when the Best Picture category was overwhelmed by amazing choiceswhich all likely had someone rooting for them, namely the trifecta ofOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Barry Lyndon, andJaws. While neither of their movies won, this was an important moment in the careers of Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg and the genres they represented. Meanwhile, the realm of cult classics also saw some major additions withThe Rocky Horror Picture ShowandMonty Python and the Holy Grail.
1975 seemingly launched Hollywood into several more historical years.1976 sawRockyandTaxi Drivernominated for Best Picture, while in 1977, it wasAnnie HallandStar Wars.The last title, of course, completely transformed the landscape of blockbuster movies and moved for special effects. Meanwhile, other brilliant writers, directors, and actors continued to rise in Hollywood in the wake of 1975.
71982
Best Movies Include: Gandhi, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, & The Thing
1982 was a huge year for sci-fi,with Spielberg’sE.T.and John Carpenter’sThe Thingleading the way. Some more divisive contributions to this genre includedBlade RunnerandStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.The TerminatorandBack to the Futurewere only a few years away and likely took some inspiration from this year. Disney also releasedTronin 1982, making it a year of varied and wonderful sci-fi fantasies.
Meanwhile,Gandhiwas the Best Picture winner, whileThe Verdictwas its complementary drama nominee.TootsieandMissingoffered some variety among the nominees, representing the rom-com and thriller genres. Meanwhile,Fast Times at Ridgemont HighandAn Officer and a Gentlemanalso came out in 1982 — less critically acclaimed, but famous contributions to cinema nonetheless. Overall,1982 saw many different movies releasedthat made it a well-rounded and great year for cinema.
61994
Best Movies Include: Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction, & The Shawshank Redemption
Few Best Picture races match the one that happened in 1994,stilldividing critics and audiences over whether to favorForrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, orPulp Fiction.The epic and emotional that showcases the virtues of kindness and optimismForrest Gumpwon, doubtlessly infuriating someone. This was unsurprising when Quentin Tarantino returned strong after his breakout movie with a fascinating non-linear comedic crime drama, and Frank Darabont made history with the story of a lasting friendship formed within the walls of Shawshank Prison.
Disney also dominated the Oscars this year, specifically in the Original Song category with the release ofThe Lion King. This contribution broadened the scope of 1994, adding a massively successful family movie to the line-up of adult dramas. Additionally,Jurassic Park, while released in 1993, was still showing in some theaters in October 1994 — which resulted in the famous movie history moment whereForrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, andJurassic Parkwere all in theaters at the same time.
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51998
Best Movies Include: Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare In Love, & The Truman Show
Another tight Best Picture race dominated the 1998 Oscars. The Academy started off the year with the results of the previous year’s movie season whenTitanicswept the Oscars with a record-breaking number of nominations and wins. Following this,Saving Private RyanandShakespeare in Lovewere the frontrunners for the top prize,making for an almost unfair comparison when the movies are so different in story, tone, and themes. In a shocking turn of events,Shakespeare in Lovenarrowly won out.
Yet it was a great year for Hollywood when both movies were added to the library of genre-defining pictures.
Yet it was a great year for Hollywood when both movies were added to the library of genre-defining pictures. Meanwhile,more animated classics likeThe Prince of EgyptandMulancame out in 1998— some of the last majorly successful 2D animated movies their respective studios would produce. Cate Blanchette also achieved her breakthrough with the Best Picture nomineeElizabeth, while Jim Carrey starred in another hit calledThe Truman Show.
42001
Best Movies Include: The Fellowship Of The Ring, Spirited Away, & Moulin Rouge!
A Beautiful Mindwon Best Picture for 2001, beating out the glitzy jukebox musicalMoulin Rouge!and the beginning of the most epic fantasy franchise ever,The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. This year saw the beginning of the modern fantasy franchise, withbothLord of the RingsandHarry Potterreleasing their flagship movies.It was a big year for fantasy all around when the breathtaking, penultimate Studio Ghibli movie also came out, making waves in Hollywood.
Spirited Awaydidn’t win the Best Animated Feature award until the next year because of a later release in the U.S., whileShrekwon for 2001, the first time the Academy bestowed this award. Other staples, both beloved by the Academy and completely ignored, hit theaters — likeMulholland DriveandOcean’s Eleven.This was the set-up for another stretch of fantastic movies in Hollywood,with the next few years being dominated byLord of the Rings, while also featuringChicago, Gangs of New York, Million Dollar Baby,andThe Aviator.
32007
Best Movies Include: No Country For Old Men, There Will Be Blood, & Ratatouille
2007 was the year for the modern Western: Paul Thomas Anderson’sThere Will Be Bloodmade an impact, butnothing could compare to the exploration of personal honor codes and present-day bloodshed inNo Country for Old Men.The Coen brothers' epic took home not only Best Picture, but directing, writing, and acting awards.JunoandAtonementmade for lower-key but also beautiful dramas nominated in the Best Picture category.
The Academy was inundated with these thoughtful dramas that all forced them to reflect,despite taking place in widely different times and places. However, some other movies appealing to musical fans and families also won nominations, even if not for Best Picture. Pixar released one of its best movies withRatatouille, while Disney treated its fans to the delightfully nostalgic and subversiveEnchanted. An ensemble of great stars also appeared together in the harrowing but highly enjoyable adaptation of the musicalSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
22010
Best Movies Include: The King’s Speech, Inception, & The Social Network
2010 was the second year of the return of 10 movies being nominated for Best Picture, something that may have been partially caused by the wave of great movies in 2009, 2010, and 2011.AvatarandThe Dark Knightwere the pinnacle of the action genre in 2009; however, the overall high point is still 2010.The lineup of 2010 Best Picture nominees was astounding,featuringThe King’s Speech, Inception, Black Swan, The Social Network, andToy Story 3, among others.The King’s Speechwon, something hard to accept when there were many contenders.
There was competition and comparisons everywhere this year; Leonardo DiCaprio doubled up with the coinciding releases ofInceptionandShutter Island. Meanwhile,Toy Story 3winning Best Animated Feature was a given — a disappointment whenHow to Train Your Dragonhad just flown into theaters with an amazing debut. Additionally, while the trend may not have included the best-reviewed movies,Hollywood was seeing a lot of profits with popular franchises and more entering early development.
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12019
Best Movies Include: Parasite, Ford V Ferrari, & Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
The 2019 Oscars were particularly memorable whenParasiteturned things around and claimed most of the major awards, including Best Picture, stealing it away from the expected winner1917. However,Parasiteshould not distract from the fact that there were great movies everywhere this year,both recognized at the Oscars and beloved by general audiences. The Best Picture nominees includedFord v Ferrari, The Irishman, Marriage Story, andJojo Rabbit.
Tarantino produced one of his best movies yet withOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, while Greta Gerwig was on the rise with her second Best Picture nomineeLittle Women.Knives Outproved to be a popular new franchise, whilethe MCU reached its culmination withAvengers: Endgame.A mix of cultural phenomena and poignant nominees like this is what makes a year truly great for Hollywood.
