The Academy Awards have long been the most prestigious celebration of films. From directing to sound editing to acting, there are so many aspects of cinema that are brought to the forefront and celebrated for their ingenuity. Of course, Best Picture is the most anticipated of them all, and every movie strives to earn its title.

However, with so many incredible films to choose from each year, there can’t always be a consensus on the best film. The 1990s might be many movie buff’s favorite decade, with winners like Schindler’s List, The Silence of the Lambs, and Forrest Gump. Yet, there are many that could’ve taken home the grand prize. Here are 10 nominees from this decade that could have, and maybe should have, won Best Picture.

10 Dead Poets Society (1989)

In the first Oscar ceremony of the ’90s, Driving Miss Daisy took home the big win. While there are many other better films that were not even nominated and should have been such as Do The Right Thing — a slight never forgotten by director Spike Lee — the other Best Picture nominees were close for the win, too.

Dead Poets Society featured a stunning performance by Robin Williams, and this flick even got a shout out for its writing and its directing. This unique movie was emotionally riveting and memorable, and arguably deserved the win over its competition.

9 JFK (1991)

It’s hard to argue against The Silence of the Lambs winning Best Picture, especially when it was so fresh and innovative during its time. However, if there was any competition that people bring up in debates about Hannibal Lecter’s Oscar win, it would be over Oliver Stone’s JFK.

With Kevin Costner and Gary Oldman, this historical flick was certainly a highlight of Stone’s career, and showed a side to the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy that was untold. Unfortunately, JFK certainly slid through the cracks and was only appreciated in hindsight.

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8 Scent Of A Woman (1992)

This was an interesting year at the Oscars, and Clint Eastwood definitely stole the show with his directing and acting for Unforgiven. While this Western took home Best Picture, there are definitely some who weren’t sold on its credentials.

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Scent Of A Woman with Al Pacino and Chris O’Donnell is unique, tragic, and inspiring. Al Pacino took home an Oscar and this flick was even nominated for its screenplay, alongside Best Picture. This intriguing tale arguably offered a lot more than what was essentially just another Western.

7 A Few Good Men (1992)

If there was another reason to doubt Clint Eastwood’s success at the 1993 Oscars, this flick is one of them. Directed by Rob Reiner, the thrilling A Few Good Men stars Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Jack Nicholson in a heated courtroom battle about military ethics and doing the right thing — no matter how hard it can be.

In a fresh tale of murder, duty, and justice, A Few Good Men hits hard. Compared to the Western that won, this movie has long since maintained its popularity with many true fans.

6 In The Name Of The Father (1993)

There’s no disputing that this year’s Oscar winner, Schindler’s List, earned its spot in cinema and culture as a devastating and honest portrayal of the very human horror and tragedy of the Holocaust. Of course, because of its fame, many other great films slipped through the cracks.

This biography drama also offered an incredible take on a true story, during another difficult time in European history, specifically the rise of the IRA. With a stunning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, In The Name Of The Father deserved much more time in the spotlight.

5 Pulp Fiction (1994)

The 1995 Academy Awards was definitely a tough year, and there were many huge films with gigantic followings that were nominated for Best Picture. While Forrest Gump might be a critical darling beloved by many, any fan of Quentin Tarantino was surely disappointed that Tom Hanks’ whimsical historical fiction beat Tarantino’s sophomore anthological effort for the top Oscar.

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This classic crime drama was incredibly innovate and unique for its time, and certainly paved the way for Tarantino’s career, but also so many different avenues of cinema. Proof of this anthology’s lasting power is the fact that many imitated Pulp Fiction, but never achieved the same success. This win could have been a coin toss.

4 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Where Pulp Fiction and Forrest Gump are concerned, there was a third nominee that definitely stood a fighting chance. Based on the novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption might just be the most classic movie about law and justice out there. Not only is it a great prison drama, but it’s possibly the best King adaptation to date. This flick certainly remains timeless today.

With Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, this iconic film had twists and turns, drama, friendship, and honest truths that no movie that year could match. This movie definitely deserved the title of Best Picture, too.

3 Fargo (1996)

While The English Patient certainly offered a dramatic and intriguing war tale, Fargo was a comedic crime drama that is still unlike anything else out there today. Probably the Coen Brothers’ most famous flick that isn’t the cult legend that is The Big Lebowski, this is also the movie where Frances McDormand could no longer be ignored.

Fargo is far more memorable than any other film that year, and that alone proves that maybe it could have won Best Picture. With so many iconic scenes and wickedly sharp dialogue, this film never had a dull moment.

2 Good Will Hunting (1997)

The 1998 Oscars was taken by storm by Titanic, which is undoubtedly a staple in Hollywood. Still, it can also be argued today that it is slightly overrated, and doesn’t exactly withstand its time.

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Another top contender that year was Good Will Hunting, where Ben Affleck and Matt Damon first burst onto the Hollywood big screen. This genius and unique tale was partnered with brilliant acting and directing, and fans are probably angry it didn’t take over the Oscars that year.

1 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

This might be the biggest mistake on the list when it comes to Best Picture. This year, for the 71st Academy Awards, Shakespeare In Love came in with the win. However, it went up against Saving Private Ryan, an iconic and timeless war drama directed by Steven Spielberg.

This war epic defied all aspects of filming and action sequences, and is still known as one of the best of its kind today. While it might not be the best movie of all time, it certainly deserved to win Best Picture for its year.

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About The Author


Meah Peers
(631 Articles Published)

I just graduated university with Criminology & Psychology, but have a burning side passion for film! I am an avid reader, writer, and film-goer, and I love learning about movies, actors, directors, and sharing my passion and knowledge with others.
I am a List Writer for ScreenRant, and love being a part of a film community where we all share the same passions.

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