The Allure of the Critics’ Choice Best Picture Winners: Ranking Them from Worst to First
The Critics’ Choice Awards are one way to catch a glimpse of the films that are making waves in Hollywood these days. Commonly handed out at the end of the year, the prestigious titles of Best Picture and Best Director are often seen as forerunners to the Oscars.
In this article, let’s take a look at the films that have won the Best Picture Awards at the Critics’ Choice Awards from worst to first, and see what all the fuss is about.
25 – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)
Forever immortalized in British culture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is all about a bunch of British retirees who travel to India in search of a better life. This charming comedy doesn’t really have any awards or achievements to its name, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.
The main cast, which includes Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Tom Wilkinson, help make this movie about discovering the power of friendship an enjoyable one. Wrapped up in a lighthearted and mildly predictable narrative, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is an entertaining movie worth watching.
24 – The Hours (2002)
Not to be confused with the award-winning novel by the same name, The Hours is a movie about three different women spanning three different time periods, each one struggling in their own unique way.
The movie boasts an all-star cast, including Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, and Julianne Moore, all of whom give stellar performances. Although the movie is a and thought-provoking look at gender and time, some have criticized it for its lack of depth and relatable characters.
23 – A Beautiful Mind (2002)
A Beautiful Mind stars Russell Crowe as an estranged USA mathematician who was forced to deal with his own schizophrenia with the help of his devoted wife. The movie is based on the true story of John Nash, who eventually earned the Nobel Prize in Economics.
The movie itself is both visually stunning, and filled with amazing performances, but it has also been criticized for its wide use of artistic license and its oversimplification of a rather complex subject.
22 – Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Million Dollar Baby follows the story of a fledgling boxer, played by Hilary Swank, as she struggles to break into the boxing world against all odds. With Clint Eastwood playing the role of her trainer and mentor, the movie is an unbeatable combination of grit and emotion.
The movie is deeply moving, and its message of determination and perseverance has been praised by critics. Despite this, some have also argued that the movie is too sentimental, favouring emotions over reason.
21 – Argo (2012)
Starring Ben Affleck, Argo is a movie set during the Iran hostage crisis in the ’70s. The movie follows the story of a CIA operative as he tries to rescue a group of American diplomats hiding in Tehran, with the help of some ingenious plans.
Argo is a gripping movie filled with suspense and drama, and its dramatic climax has been praised by almost everyone who has seen it. However, its fictionalized take on events has also been a point of contention for some audiences.
20 – The Big Short (2015)
The Big Short is based off of the bestselling novel by Michael Lewis, and stars some of Hollywood’s biggest stars like Christian Bale and Steve Carrell. Taking place during the 2008 financial crisis, the movie follows a team of investors who bet against the housing market, and end up earning millions while the rest of the world crumbles.
Although it has been praised as one of the best films about modern finance and the economy, some have criticized it for its lack of educational elements and for not giving audiences a nuanced view of the entire crisis.
19 – Birdman (2014)
An insanely creative meta-movie about an aging actor trying to regain relevance in showbiz, Birdman stars Michael Keaton in a role that has been widely considered as one of his best performances. The movie is both visually arresting and finely-acted, with some of the best cinematography and music in recent times.
Although the movie was praised by critics and audiences alike, some have criticized it for its surreal elements and meandering storyline.
18 – Spotlight (2015)
One of the most critically-acclaimed films of recent times, Spotlight follows the gripping story of the Boston Globe’s Pulitzer-winning investigative team as they unearth the horrifying truth behind the Catholic Church’s systematic cover-up of child abuse cases in their parishes.
Though harshly criticized by the Church, the movie endeared itself with the audience with its no-nonsense approach and its brave stance against the Catholic Church. The movie has also been lauded for its precise style of storytelling, giving a voice to the voiceless.
17 – The Artist (2011)
A black and white extravaganza, The Artist is a romantic comedy-drama about a silent movie star who finds himself out of luck when talking pictures become the norm in Hollywood.
The movie is both visually stunning and filled with plenty of charm, and is sure to grab the hearts of anyone who loves the silent era of films. The movie was praised for its subtle visual storytelling, but was criticized for its lack of originality.
16 – Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
A biopic about the life and times of legendary rocker Freddie Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody became an instant classic overnight, thanks to its thrilling narrative and passionate performances by Rami Malek as the iconic singer.
The movie was praised for its respect towards Mercury’s legacy, and its skillfully recreated recreations of Queen’s legendary music videos. However, there were some who found some issues with its length and pacing, as well as its over-explorative nature.
15 – Boyhood (2014)
This coming-of-age drama depicts the story of a young boy (played by Ellar Coltrane) as he deals with life’s hardships, ageing from 6 to 18 right before our eyes. The movie was shot over a period of twelve years, with director Richard Linklater finally managing to achieve his long-term dream of making an observational movie spanning an entire life.
The movie was praised for its impressive performances and its painstakingly detailed depiction of growing up, though some felt that the movie was a little too long and slow-paced.
14 – Gravity (2013)
Gravity is a movie about an astronaut, played by Sandra Bullock, who is left stranded in space and must find her way back to Earth with the help of a scientist (Played by George Clooney).
This visually stunning movie was closely followed by space and science geeks, and won dozens of Oscars for its cinematography, sound, and visuals. However, some have argued that the movie relies a lot on style and visuals over substance, and criticize its rather underdeveloped characters.
13 – The Shape of Water (2017)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water is an ambitious dark fantasy epic about a mute janitor who falls in love with an amphibious creature. The movie is a breathtaking exploration of what it means to feel love and acceptance, and has been praised for its brilliant performances by the cast and its beautiful imagery.
The movie doesn’t quite have the same appeal to some viewers, who argue that the movie’s strange combination of horror, fantasy, and romance doesn’t mix too well, and that it is too slow-paced for its own good.
12 – The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Another Wes Anderson movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel is filled with the same kind of charm that the director is best known for. The movie follows the story of a humble concierge in a renowned European hotel who finds himself caught in the middle of a murder mystery.
The movie stars a plethora of great actors, both famous and unknown, and its quirkiness, humour, and wit has been praised by viewers and critics alike. However, some argue that the movie is a bit too far-fetched for its own good, and that its forced rhythm detracts from the overall experience.
11 – 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Based on the acclaimed book by Solomon Northrup, 12 Years a Slave follows the story of a free man who is abducted and sold into slavery. The movie stars Chiwetel Ejiofor in the lead role, and is directed by Steve McQueen.
The movie has been praised for its powerful portrayal of a slave’s journey, and has been celebrated for its raw and uncompromising look into the horror of early America. It has also been criticized as too painful to watch, as well as its uneven structure.
10 – Moonlight (2016)
Moonlight follows the story of a young black man, played by Trevante Rhodes, as he navigates his way through life while struggling with his own identity in a world that is often unforgiving of his sexuality. The movie is both heartbreaking and beautiful, and gives us a window into a life that is often ignored.
