The Academy Awards began way back in 1929, and this annual celebration of film is loved and enjoyed by all movie fans. With nearly a century of films to love and watch, every year one movie is reigned the "Best Picture".
While there are many incredible flicks to binge, true movie fans should dive back to each decade and celebrate the most critically-acclaimed movies Hollywood has to offer. Here is the highest-rated Best Picture winner from each decade, according to IMDb - that every movie buff must watch.
1920s: Sunrise (1927) - 8.1
This flick tells a story about a man struggling between good and evil. However, each side is represented by women - one attractive temptress and his neglected wife. This flick dives into into marriage, murder, and affairs, and scored an impressive 8.1/10.
While the Oscars began at the end of this decade, this film certainly deserves recognition for being an influential and incredible film.
1930s: Gone With The Wind (1939) & It Happened One Night (1934) - 8.1
This decade had two incredibly popular films that both scored an 8.1 on IMDb. Gone With the Wind is an all-time classic about the American Civil War and romance. It Happened One Night is a romance comedy about family, class, and growth.
Both of these flicks certainly need to be binged by all movie lovers, and both will remain Hollywood icons for many years to come.
1940s: Casablanca (1942) - 8.5
This war drama stars the incredible legend, Humphrey Bogart. Playing an American expatriate, he must decide if he should help his former lover and her husband, a fugitive, escape from Morocco.
This is one of the most popular movies to exist today, and was certainly a staple in the industry back in the 1940s. With a whopping 8.5, this movie still stands as brilliant.
1950s: All About Eve (1950) - 8.2
This drama stars Bette Davis as a ruthless and eccentric woman, who inserts herself into the lives of theater performers and an aging Broadway star. With 6 Oscar wins, this was a classic female-led film that certainly influenced Hollywood.
This film celebrates art and is classic film from this influential decade of film. This was a huge win for women in the industry, and is certainly a must-watch.
1960s: The Apartment (1960) & Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) - 8.3
These two films tied for the 1960s, and both are well-deserving of being the highest-rated of the decade. The Apartment is a comedy drama of business and romance. Lawrence of Arabia centers on the true story of an English officer who led Arab tribes in World War I.
Both of these films tackle important aspects of society, and with an 8.3/10, stand as some of the highest-rated Best Picture winners in history. All movie fans should jump back to the '60s and watch these two very different films.
1970s: The Godfather (1972) - 9.2
This decade was absolutely iconic and memorable for movies. With many popular and incredibly flicks scoring above an 8/10, it's still probably no surprise that this classic movie takes the #1 spot with a whopping 9.2.
With Hollywood legend Marlon Brando, this Francis Ford Coppola directed film also starred a young and upcoming Joe Pesci. This is arguably the birth of the mafia genre, and remains one of the most incredible and well-known films ever made.
1980s: Amadeus (1984) - 8.3
This underrated movie actually stole the decade with the highest rating. This biography drama tells the true story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Following his life, struggles, and musical genius, many film buffs might not have seen this hidden gem.
With eight Oscar wins, this 1984 film stole the decade with an 8.3, making it the highest-rated among a strong list of competitors.
1990s: Schindler's List (1993) - 8.9
The 1990s might just be the most influential and highest-rated decade in Oscars history. With incredibly highly-rated competition such as Forrest Gump, The Silence of the Lambs, and American Beauty, this World War II film still deserves its recognition.
This war film was a huge surprise coming from director Steven Spielberg, released in the same year as Jurassic Park. Of course, this movie stunned audiences and became one of the most hard-hitting and memorable war films out there today.
2000s: The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003) - 8.9
It might just surprise movie lovers that this fantasy action (a sequel, too!), is the highest-rated of the decade. With Million Dollar Baby, The Departed, and No Country For Old Men from the 2000s, this classic novel awed audiences and critics.
With incredibly dynamic and memorable characters, this movie stunned audiences with its incredible cinematography. This visual masterpiece certainly breathed life into the fantasy genre, and will forever remain a Hollywood gem.
2010s: Parasite (2019) - 8.6
This Korean film is directed by Bong Joon Ho, and is the first International film to ever take home Best Picture. What's even more impressive is that it's also the highest-rated film of the 2010s.
An incredibly riveting and fresh tale about class and culture, this thrilling drama stands strong in all societies. Arguably the most unique film of the decade, it also deserves to be the highest-rated.