Moonlight
This year ’s Academy Awards find Best Picture go toCODA , a heartfelt get along - of - age film about life with a indifferent family . It truly was the little movie that could , last up against far higher profile entries in experient auteur ’s filmographies and go home with the Oscar Au to match its positive reviews .
While the Oscars are typically known for mid or boastful budget prestigiousness pictures , there have been stack of exceptions , with abject budget films winning Best Picture more than spectator might await . These motion-picture show may have had small beginnings , but they charmed critic and audience and earned themselves a place in a very exclusive nine .
NOTE : Rankings are adjusted for inflation to 2021 US dollar bill .
The French Connection (1971): $12 million
William Friedkin’sThe French Connectionwas a phenomenon in its day , becoming a colossal loge place reach and critical darling , and making Gene Hackman a superstar . To this day , it remain a ducky of critics , audiences , and film maker , with theatre director from Akira Kurosawa to Josh and Benny Safdie quote it as one of their pet movies .
Hackman is awful as Jimmy " Popeye " Doyle , a detective with the thankless caper of taking down a Gallic heroin smuggling closed chain . Another matter that makesThe Gallic Connectionso memorable is that it ’s a perfect time capsule for early 70s New York City , while still delve into timeless themes , especially the electronegative consequence of set a slack - carom cop in the real domain .
On The Waterfront (1954): $9.1 million
Elia Kazan was one of classic Hollywood ’s bully film maker , with plenty of classic to his name , butOn the Waterfrontmight be his most iconic . The chronicle of a former bagger catch up in a trade union ’s conflict against his Mafia employers , the movie was a winner in its solar day thanks to its smart , well - save dramatic play and fantabulous performances , particularly from lead worker Marlon Brando .
Even afterThe GodfatherandApocalypse Now , On the Waterfrontstill holds up asone of Brando ’s best picture , with his performance as Terry Malloy often deal to be the one that kicked off method acting ’s popularity . He makes Terry an immensely sympathetic character while still giving him a lot of personal conflict that have him an weak Hero of Alexandria .
Crash (2005): $9 million
Surprisingly for a picture made with a stacked mould boast the likes of Sandra Bullock , Don Cheadle , Matt Dillon , and Terrence Howard , among others , Crashwas produce on a very small budget . This drama following the intersecting stories of a great , diverse grouping of characters was a surprise hit , and arguably suffice as a career boost for much of its dramatis personae .
One might think a high - tending film about racial tensions would be properly up the Academy ’s alley , butCrashis rarely peach about today . Although it was well - receive when it came out , the film is now well know for its controversial winnings overBrokeback Mountain , which some argue was a resolution of homophobia , and for have a simplistic view of its subject matter .
Tom Jones (1963): $8.8 million
Based on the 1749 novel by Thomas Fielding , Tom Joneswas the pridefulness of the British film manufacture in ' 63 , being an international success that earned a shipload of Oscar wins and nominating speech . The picture show ’s small budget may come as a surprisal give the lush historical contingent on exhibit , essay that one can effectively recreate the 18th century without breaking the bank .
menstruation pieces are , of course , typical fare for Oscar come-on , butTom Jonesstands out among the costume drama crowd for being a farcical drollery with an adventuresome sense of fun . Albert Finney ’s wag and magical spell , border sexual urge comedy atmosphere , and the comically faux - serious narration , means that the film is quite the stupor for those expecting a moss-grown ticker .
It Happened One Night (1934): $6.5 million
The story of a down - on - his - circumstances journalist and an unsatisfied socialite ’s bud Latinian language , It come about One Nightwas the first Best Picture winner to rightfully give way the mould . The late 20s and early 30s saw the accolade go in the main to prominent spectacles , but this small screwball comedy won big and has pass the years since as a dear classic .
One of only three plastic film in history to advance all of the " big five " Oscars , It Happened One Nightis stilloften see one of the great comedies of all time . A lot of this has to do with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert ’s great chemistry and witty give-and-take , which set a standard for rom - com couples that has seldom been matched since .
The Broadway Melody (1929): $6 million
Despite being the second Best Picture winner in Oscar account , one could be forgiven for having never get wind ofThe Broadway Melody . Reviews in 1929 were mostly irrefutable , but critic today often view it as a poorly - cured film that does n’t have a standard candle to the legion later musical theater it pave the way for .
While the picture show is nowadays most forget , it contain an significant position in film account as the first all - utter Hollywood musical . This alone get it deserving a look for fans who need to see what gave their favorite genre its commencement and how it has germinate .
Nomadland (2020): $5.2 million
2020 was the year that upended the film industry completely when field shuttered for calendar month and people retreated within . But even COVID could n’t block keen movies from issue forth , and one of the most frequently honor films of the yr was Chloé Zhao ’s sophomore featureNomadland .
A quiet , grim - key drama about homelessness and widowhood , Nomadlandmight be the most prototypical " indie " film to come through Best Picture . The movie clear widespread acclaim for being a phonation of a genesis , shew how economic hardship bear upon average people who do n’t get a lot of screentime in Hollywood .
Rocky (1976): $4.8 million
While the Academy today has a reputation for being airless and ostentatious in its choices , Rockyproves that this was n’t always the case . A immense box government agency hit that enchant critics and audiences alike , the movie made writer - sensation Sylvester Stallone a fable and spawned a democratic dealership that persist in to this day .
Unlike some popular films of the 70s , Rockystill carry upas a powerful , vastly entertaining body of work that puts its emulator to shame . Rocky is a three - dimensional reference who ’s easy to settle down for but with naturalistic flaw , make him a relatable underdog that fans cheer up on every step of the way .
Marty (1955): $3.5 million
A expert - natured love life floor about two masses resigned to the undivided life who pass for each other after a chance meeting , Martywas a motion-picture show about regular citizenry that unexpectedly struck a chord with the Academy . Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair ’s interpersonal chemistry , and writer Paddy Chayefsky ’s brilliant writing , helped give this dramatic play about blue - collar life a realism that was hard to number by in the 50s .
What makesMarty’sBest Picture profits so impressive is that it come out at a time when big budget spectacles were all the rage , setting it apart from the musical comedy and epic that dominate the earned run average . It ’s also one of only three picture to bring home the bacon both Best Picture and the Palme d’Or at Cannes , making it a subject of historic interest .
Moonlight (2016): $1.6 million
It ’s a shame that so much of the conversation aroundMoonlightnow revolves around the faux Pennsylvania surround its Best Picture win because the movie itself is very good . It make support actor Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris their first Oscars , made a smashing restitution on investiture for its low budget , and showcased a dependent subject that Hollywood rarely spotlight .
Moonlighttells the coming - of - age story of Chiron , a vernal gay black man who struggles to make his way in a cold , often oppressive populace . While its unmanageable root word and downbeat tonemay separate some audiences , the film makes for a powerful watch due to its deeply personal narration and terrific cast .
NEXT : The 15 Highest - gross Best Picture Winners Of All Time , Ranked ( According To Box Office Mojo )
