What film do you think should have won Best Picture instead of the film that actually won?

[OmahaBlueDog]

10. Many good points in your response

1946 - It's a Wonderful Life instead of The Best Years of Our Lives

In some ways, this is the deep flaw of the Oscars. You really don't know what the "Best Picture" is until years later. BYOOL was ultra-topical and won on that basis.

1950 - I love All About Eve, but Sunset Boulevard was better

Both great films. Hard to choose.

1952 - High Noon instead of the Greatest Show on Earth

GSOE is a cute look at Ringling Bros. and all -- but over High Noon???? Not so much.

1956 - The King and I, Friendly Persuasion or Giant instead of Around the World in 80 Days

I go "King & I " on this one. "Giant" is 1/2 of a great film. The second half drags, and has some wretched dialogue. The first half is brilliant.

1962 - Lawrence of Arabia was great, but it's too bad it didn't tie with To Kill A Mockingbird

Again, hard year to choose.

1964 - Dr Strangelove instead of My Fair Lady

Both are great films. On balance, Strangelove probably should have won.

1967 - Another exceptional year. In the Heat of the Night won, but it was up against Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Spencer Tracy's last film)

That said, I think the Academy gets that year right.

1968 - Oliver! won against Funny Girl, The Lion in Winter, Romeo & Juliet and Rachel, Rachel

I've never understood the backlash against "Oliver!", which is a very well done musical with a stellar cast. That said, "Lion in Winter" is brilliant.

1979 - Kramer vs. Kramer won (seriously?) - It should have gone to Apocalypse Now, or even All That Jazz or Breaking Away

Any would have been better picks. My personal choice would be "Breaking Away"

1980 - Ordinary People won, and it is excellent, but Raging Bull should have won

Agreed

1981 - Chariots of Fire won, but it should have been Atlantic City (sublime) or Raiders of the Lost Ark

Definitely Raiders.

1985 - Out of Africa won, but great scenery and soundtrack aren't enough IMHO. I would have given it to Witness

Agree 100%

1987 - The Last Emperor got it, but SNAP OUT OF IT, it should have gone to Moonstruck

I was always surprised that "Fatal Attraction" didn't win.

1990 - Goodfellas definitely

It's a tough year. "Awakenings" is also a helluva film. I personally like "Dances With Wolves" and I like "Goodfellas".

1994 - Forrest Gump was really just the Tom Hanks show. I would have chosen The Shawshank Redemption or Pulp Fiction.

I like Hanks, and I liked "Gump", but this is another example of you-really-don't-know-for-five-years. I think if that list was voted today, "The Shawshank Redemption" would win, and it wouldn't be close.

1996 - Fargo, dontcha know

Either "Fargo" or "Shine"

1997 - Yup L.A. Confidential was da bomb

I'd have voted for "Good Will Hunting"

2005 - Crash won, which I liked but I would have chosen Good Night and Good Luck or Munich

I liked "Crash". I was stunned that "Cinderella man" wasn't even nominated. That would have been my pick.

2006 - The Departed won, but I didn't see it. I would have loved for Little Miss Sunshine to win

You can make an argument for "Little Miss Sunshine". Others have asserted that "Pan's Labyrinth", "Dreamgirls", or "An Inconvenient Truth" (which did win best documentary) -- none of which were nominated for Best Picture -- should have won.

2010 -The Kings Speech was very good, but I would have chosen 127 Hours

OBkid1 passionately argues that "The Social Network" should have won. I'd have voted for "Toy Story 3"

2011 - I didn't see The Artist, but I would have loved for The Descendants to have won.

I wanted "Moneyball" Mrs. OBD and OBkid 1 wanted "The Help"