The movie honored with Best Picture at the Oscars goes down in history along with all the other winners from past years, some of which remain classics and others that have been largely forgotten. Looking back as long ago as the 1980s shows how much a movie’s reputation can improve or diminish over the years.

Let’s take a look at all the Best Picture winners from that decade and how the modern viewers at IMDb rank these prestigious titles.

10 Chariots Of Fire (1981) – 7.2

The sports drama Chariots of Fire tells the story of two British sprinters who train to compete in the 1924 Olympic Games. Though they are both gifted in their sport, the two men from different backgrounds have very different approaches to sprinting as well as different reasons for competing.

Chariots of Fire is likely more well-known now for its iconic score rather than the movie itself. Some fans still get a rush out of the uplifting sports story while others feel that the movie is a bit thin for a Best Picture winner.

9 Out Of Africa (1985) – 7.2

With the combined talents of Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, it’s not really a surprise that Out of Africa was a big hit with the Oscars. Set in Kenya, the movie tells the story of a Danish plantation owner (Streep) who begins an affair with a big game hunter (Redford).

This is the kind of grand and epic love story that Hollywood doesn’t make very often anymore. The star power and the romance can be exciting, but the fact that it is an African-set story starring two white actors feels misguided now.

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8 Driving Miss Daisy (1989) – 7.3

The comedy Driving Miss Daisy stars Jessica Tandy as the titular Miss Daisy, an older Southern woman. No longer able to drive, her son hires her a personal chauffeur (Morgan Freeman). The movie explores how an unlikely friendship blossoms over the years between these two companions.

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The movie was a big winner at the Oscars when it was released but has since earned a reputation of being quite out of touch. Still, some viewers were charmed by the unique buddy story and the performances from the two leads.

7 Terms Of Endearment (1983) – 7.4

The family drama Terms of Endearment tells the story of a mother (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter (Debra Winger) who sometimes have trouble loving each other. The story explores several years in the family’s life as they come to terms with their different personalities.

The movie features an all-star cast included Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, and Jeff Daniels in supporting roles. It is a charming story with plenty of comedy, but it is also known for its ability to bring audiences to tears by the end.

6 The Last Emperor (1987) – 7.7

One of the most unique Best Picture winners from the decade was The Last Emperor. The epic historical drama tells the story of China’s last emperor who took over the position when he was a little boy and struggled with life as emperor throughout his life.

The movie was seen as a beautiful looking epic that went on to win several Oscars. Though it has not become popular with mainstream audiences, it is still an impressive achievement for those who have seen the movie.

5 Ordinary People (1980) – 7.7

Robert Redford stepped behind the camera for the first time, resulting in this impactful family drama. Ordinary People follows an affluent family dealing with the aftermath of the accidental death of one of their sons and how the tragedy threatens to tear them apart.

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The movie is a harrowing yet intimate story about grief and guilt. Redford won the award for Best Director while the cast was praised for their powerful performances.

4 Gandhi (1982) – 8.0

Richard Attenborough took an epic approach to telling the story of one of the most famous figures in modern history. Ben Kingsley stars in Gandhi as the titular man in a movie that tracks his journey to becoming the leader of the Indian revolts through his philosophy of non-violent protests.

It is difficult for a movie to capture the life of such an extraordinary person, but the film’s grand approach seemed to do the man justice in the eyes of many viewers. Kingsley also delivered what many considered to be one of the best performances of the decade.

3 Rain Man (1988) – 8.0

Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman teamed up for the uplifting and entertaining road trip adventure Rain Man. Cruise plays Charlie, a self-centered hustler who finds out his deceased father left his fortune to Charlie’s autistic brother Raymond (Hoffman). In an effort to get the money for himself, Charlie takes Raymond on a cross-country adventure.

The simple story offered audiences laughs and a lot of heart as these two brothers learn a lot about each other and form an unexpected bond. Hoffman also received an Oscar for his performance.

2 Platoon (1986) – 8.1

Oliver Stone drew on his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam to create one of the most harrowing war movies ever made. Platoon follows a young soldier (Charlie Sheen) who begins his tour of duty in a platoon divided between two very different commanding officers.

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The movie pulls few punches in depicting the horrors of war and it can be hard to watch at times. However, the excellent cast and Stone’s skilled direction also make it an intense and compelling journey to take and one viewer will no soon forget.

1 Amadeus (1984) – 8.3

The unique biopic Amadeus takes a look at one of the most intense rivalries in history. The life of famed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is told through the eyes of fellow composer Antonio Salieri, a man who great increasingly jealous of Mozart’s incredible talent and success.

The movie provides an interesting and compelling twist on the biopic story. The lavish production is only one small part of its allure as the well-written story, the performances, and the captivating plot at its center helps to make it a true masterpiece.

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About The Author


Colin McCormick
(2030 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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