SOME of the MOST POPULAR OSCAR NOMINEES FROM THE 90s through 2020s: WOULD I WATCH THEM?
Unlike some movie goers or maybe it’s no one anymore, when the Oscar nominees list drops, honestly, I DO. NOT. CARE. Of course, within this, there those really hyped flicks that even if you haven’t seen them, they are EVERYWHERE and you hear about them. It is nearly Oscar day so we’re compiling a list of past but extremely popular Oscar nominee movies [*] even if they don’t have an Oscar win to their name. I’ll also try to mention if I’ve seen the film, hated or loved it, and whether or not I would see the film still.
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✨SOME of the MOST POPULAR OSCAR NOMINEES FROM THE 90s through 2020s: WOULD I WATCH THEM?✨ #MOVIES #TITANIC #KATEWINSLET #OSCARS #OSCARNOMINEE #MOVIE #THEGODFATHER #ASGOODASITGETS #LALALAND #ELVIS #TOPGUN #TOMCRUISE #PERIODRAMA… Share on XWithout looking in depth (I haven’t begun any in earnest research yet) at the titles that fit this, I’m not sure there’s going to be a ton I’ve seen. Adding something mid research, is it just us, or has what now qualifies as an Oscar nominees kind of gotten odder? This all said, I am curious to see if I’ll prove myself wrong and if there’s any I should make the time for. Let’s dive into this thing and see what we find.
*by popular I mean audiences seem to love them and they have great ratings on streaming sites or film databases or people still talk about them on social media and in fact, fight over what the best part of this is. there are a few years missing because I didn’t think any of the best picture nominees fell into this category.
POPULAR OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIES of the past
NINTEEN-NINETY
DANCES WITH WOLVES Kevin Costner stars in this long before Yellowstone was even a thing. I think I saw this or pieces of it years ago. It didn’t really leave a lasting impression I guess. This film also won the best picture in 1990.
GHOST pretty sure this is an audience favorite with Patrick Swayze. I’ve not seen it. Would I? Probably not.
THE GODFATHER PART III never had this moviegoer urge to watch the Godfather movies. But they are iconic in movie history and quite famous, too.
NINETEEN NINETY-ONE
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST the fact that this received a nomination is one of those nostalgic things that made me smile.
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS don’t ever plan to see this film. But the horror film is a popular one. Why I don’t plan to find out. This film also won the best picture in 1991.
NINETEEN NINETY-TWO popular oscar nominee movies
A FEW GOOD MEN pretty sure this is a re-watchable film. It’s not one I’ve seen and I don’t know that I would though it does have a young Tom Cruise which may be fun just because I do like most of his movies.
THE SCENT OF A WOMAN a super young Chris O’Donnell stars in this alongside Al Pacino. Another likely no from me.
UNFORGIVEN Clint Eastwood stars in this famous western. Probably not one I’d watch because I’m not one (in general) for gritty westerns and this R-rated drama would likely be that. This film also won the best picture in 1992.
NINETEEN NINETY-THREE
THE FUGATIVE Harrison Ford stars in this thriller about a man wrong accused of murder. This is one I probably would see because I’ve liked other thrillers with a similar concept.
SCHINDLER’S LIST never seen and don’t plan to but one cannot deny it’s a popular and critically acclaimed film. This film also won the best picture in 1993.
NINETEEN NINETY-FOUR
FORREST GUMP Tom Hanks is a big movie star and has starred in many things, but this is still one of his greatest among many movie goers. This film also won the best picture in 1994.
FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL Hugh Grant before Sense and Sensibility stars in this film, which I’ve never seen. But it seems like an unusual one, right? Probably not one I’ll see because a: I’m not Grant’s biggest fan and b: it’s got an R-rating and those types of rom-coms aren’t my thing.
PULP FICTION this is about hit men and gangsters? Yet according to streaming pages, it’s very popular. Would I see it? Nope.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION never seen it but I know this is a popular film with much high acclaim. It does sound like it’s an inspirational story, nonetheless, would I see it? Nope.
NINETEEN NINETY-FIVE popular oscar nominee movies
APOLLO 13 it’s just a dang popular film or was. So we have to add it. This film also won the best picture in 1995.
BABE seeing this one the list of nominees made me laugh just because I had no idea this one got a nomination and the idea that it could be made today and receive a nomination is unlikely which in turn makes me realize how far the film industry has fallen.
BRAVEHEART a film with Mel Gibson, I still hear this one talked about now and then as one of those “greatest” movies ever.
SENSE & SENSIBILITY based on the Jane Austen novel with a script by co-star Emma Thompson, this one is no longer my favorite adaptation of this film but is one I’ve seen many times.
NINETEEN NINETY-SIX
THE ENGLISH PATIENT the winner in 1996 and one many seem to like. Never seen this one. Don’t plan to. The trailer never appeals to me anytime I see it. This film also won the best picture in 1996.
JERRY MCGUIRE a young Tom Cruise stars in this popular film about a sports agent. Another I didn’t ever see but am curious, is it worth it?
NINETEEN NINETY-SEVEN
AS GOOD AS IT GETS another one I think is watched often and has quite an impressive ratings run. Same as with most films on this list (so far), I’m not among those who’ve seen this.
GOOD WILL HUNTING a very young Matt Damon stars in this nominee about a genius who solves a mathematical problem.
TITANIC it’s James Cameron’s Titanic epic. What more can be said? I’ve seen snippets of this, but never all the way through and I’m not bothered by this. This film also won the best picture in 1997.
NINETEEN NINETY-EIGHT
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL I think this one is pretty popular. It’s a foreign film about a man who, during WWII, tries to make life better for his son.
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN from Steven Spielberg, I think it’s safe to say, this is still one of the most popular WWII drama films.
SHAKSPEARE IN LOVE haven’t ever seen this but it’s described a romantic comedy and features quite the cast! This film also won the best picture in 1998.
NINETEEN NINETY-NINE popular oscar nominee movies
THE SIXTH SENSE a film from M. Night Shyamalan with Bruce Willis as a child psychologist who’s patient claims to talk with dead people.
TWO THOUSAND
GLADIATOR a Ridley Scott film, this is one of those films you still hear about now and then. This film also won the best picture in 2000.
ERIN BROCKOVICH Julia Roberts may be most remembered for her Pretty Woman breakout role, but this is another she’s known for. Plus, it won her an Oscar and is one I’ve actually seen. I’d even watch it again at some point.
TWO THOUSAND ONE
A BEAUTIFUL MIND directed by Ron Howard and featuring Russell Crowe, this film about a mathematician and inspired by a true story. This film also won the best picture in 2001.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING based on the popular novels, these films are still talked about today.
MOULIN ROUGE! I think this one is still well liked.
TWO THOUSAND TWO
CHICAGO one of the more “mainstream” films of the year plus a winner, this one has some love still. I think. This film also won the best picture in 2002.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS these are well loved by many and of course based on the classic novels
THE PIANIST this one still gets talked about
TWO THOUSAND THREE popular oscar nominee movies
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING same goes for this as the 2002 LOTR title (above). It’s universally liked and based on the classic novel. This film also won the best picture in 2003.
TWO THOUSAND FOUR
MILLION DOLLAR BABY I don’t know if this one is still well liked, but it did create a buzz and so we’re including it. This film also won the best picture in 2004.
TWO THOUSAND SIX
LITLE MISS SUNSHINE the breakout of Abigail Breslin and a cultural film many discussed
TWO THOUSAND SEVEN popular oscar nominee movies
JUNO this film just seems like one of those cultural flicks that is well liked, plus it was recently in pop culture news.
TWO THOUSAND EIGHT
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON this one makes the list just because it was one of those movies viewers talk about in a “what was this movie about?” kind of way.
TWO THOUSAND NINE
AVATAR zero interest in this film but we cannot deny that it gets lots of conversation.
THE HURT LOCKER honestly I’m not sure it’s fair to include this one as popular among viewers however it was a BUZZY film given its female director who won the award. Plus it features a young Jeremy Renner. This film also won the best picture in 2009.
UP a Pixar favorite that is also supposed to have a really poignant and touching story.
TWO THOUSAND TEN popular oscar nominee movies
INCEPTION TV shows use this film for jokes, and it’s still a meme from time to time.
TOY STORY 3 I mean I had to include this. The Toy Story movies are always favorites.
WINTER’S BONE Jennifer Lawrence had her big breakout in this drama which from all I’ve read is a dark story described as a coming of age mystery.
TWO THOUSAND ELEVEN
THE ARTIST this one gets a mention just because it was a black and white silent film in 2011 plus it did win. This film also won the best picture in 2011.
EXTREMLY LOUD & INCREDIABLY CLOSE based on a true story, this one seems to get some buzz in a quiet kind of way. It also has a pretty impressive cast.
THE HELP this film is talked about now and again and also seems to be heavily criticized. It’s the one title in 2011’s lists that I did enjoy. There’s so many emotional scenes that were well performed.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS feels like I’m the only one who doesn’t care for this one.
TWO THOUSAND TWELVE
LES MISERABLES didn’t care for this one but it had lots of hype and I think I’m alone in no liking this version. It’s beautiful to look at but the constant singing is too much.
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK with Bradley Cooper and Jenifer Lawrence, this one still has some hype.
ZERO DARK THIRTY I’ve never seen this one but I think it had quite a lot of conversation given its female director (who won for The Hurt Locker) and its plot following the terrorist manhunt post September 11th. popular oscar nominee movies
TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN
AMERICAN SNIPER from what I remember this one caused some controversy, which then in turn makes people want to see it.
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING I thought about seeing this one at one point, but I don’t think I’d enjoy the majority of the film.
TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN
HIDDEN FIGURES I’m not sure if this one is audience popular or not, but it’s one of the films from 2016 that seems more universal in that it would entertain and be easy to re-watch. It’s based on a true story too and has been something I intended to watch for a long time now.
LA LA LAND lots of conversation and buzz about this one with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. A musical romance, this one also let down many viewers.
TWO THOUSAND EIGHTEEN popular oscar nominee movies
BLACK PANTHER it’s Marvel so of course this one is super popular with viewers. Marvel and I haven’t gotten along for a while now so I haven’t seen this along with many others in the more recent MCU. Would I someday? Perhaps. But as of now DC and Marvel have ticked me enough so I’m over them.
A STAR IS BORN this one caused lots of conversation with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper leading the cast. No this wouldn’t be one I’d be interested to see.
TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN
JOKER another superhero film so it got plenty of social media chatter.
LITTLE WOMEN another universally well liked story and one that is considered one of the best in terms of staying true to Louisa May Alcott’s vision.
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY ONE
CODA never saw this one, but I think it’s well liked and popular among many. It follows the only hearing member of a deaf family.
WEST SIDE STORY lots of social chatter about this one! however since I never really wanted to see the 60s version I doubt I’ll be eager to see this either.
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY TWO popular oscar nominee movies
what movie do you think will win best picture this year? two of the nominees are…
ELVIS all the conversation went on about this! Was the cast right? Would the film do this icon right? Tom Hanks wasn’t right… and on the list goes. Plus Baz Luhrmann was behind this and his films always garner attention.
TOP GUN: MAVERICK I mean it’s not hard to know why this one is so popular. It was easily a universally loved movie of 2022. For some that was because of the nostalgia (left over from the 1986 Top Gun) and for others, it was just because this is a movie that does what it should: ENTERTAIN.
Ok, these are some of the more audience popular or rewatchable Oscar nominees of the 90s through the 2020s, all leading to the 95th show this weekend. Honestly, I just see lots of titles that wouldn’t work for me.
Over to you now! I want to hear, which of these would you watch? Do any of these popular Oscar nominee movies appeal to you? Have you seen any? Which ones should I absolutely give a chance? Comment all the comments. Let’s talk.
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My favorites from your list that I would highly recommend are The Fugitive, Beauty and the Beast, Inception, The Help, Hidden Figures, Apollo 13, and Top Gun: Maverick.
Also enjoyed Sense & Sensibility, Dances with Wolves, The Shawshank Redemption (edited for TV), La La Land (ending not my fave), Forrest Gump (my daughter and husband just met Gary Sinese at a Medal of Honor event at the Reagan Library in LA), and A Beautiful Mind. My husband loves The Gladiator but I’ve only seen snippets.
I’ve seen B&TB, “The Help” and “Top Gun.” Still want to see “Hidden Figures” and I’m undecided about “Inception.” I surprisingly did “like” the end of “La La Land.” Ordinarily I wouldn’t but something about it worked for me. And even today I still feel strange saying that because I love happy endings. :)
That Gary Sinse story is so cool. I loved him in “Fallen Angels” as well as “CSI: NY,” too.
I always try to watch the Oscar nominees. I’ve failed this year because all the ones I keep trying to watch are so not appropriate for my son to watch. Blonde is rated NC-17! lol
Pulp Fiction is a CULT CLASSIC. You need to watch it! Braveheart is also one of my favorite movies. I literally walked down the aisle at our wedding to two of the songs in it lol AND TITANIC?! You haven’t seen TITANIC?! I used to watch it all the time as a kid, both VHS tapes hahah AND I AM PRAYING you have seen Saving Private Ryan. That is a fantastic movie.
I do notice that my interest in the movies kind of wanes after 2003 with LOTR (which I am also a big fan of and our first dance at our wedding was to an instrumental version of Into the West, so I am biased in saying you have to watch those). Anyway, after 2003 I’m kind of meh about most of them. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close was my favorite book in high school, but the movie was just alright. American Sniper was a good one, but also a little forgettable? I disliked Joker. And I haven’t liked any of the listed nominees after that.
This was a fun post! I kind of want to go back and look at my fave oscar nominees now!