Explore the best that cinema has to offer with our guide to 15 Best Picture Oscar winners currently streaming on various platforms in the Philippines. From the timeless charm of “The Sound of Music” to the bold, thought-provoking brilliance of “Oppenheimer”, it’s time to brush up on your cinema!
The Sound of Music (1965)
Where: Disney+
The classic family musical wasn’t well received by critics upon its initial release but went on to become a massive box office hit and remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Starring Julie Andrews as Maria, a governess to the seven children of a widowed army captain, The Sound of Music embodies the very best of Golden Age musicals with its uplifting message, unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein score, and iconic imagery.
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The Godfather (1972)
Where: Netflix
Often hailed by film fans and critics alike as the greatest movie ever made, The Godfather tells the story of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), the youngest son of mob boss Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando, in an Oscar-winning role), and his transformation from war hero to morally corrupt family patriarch.
Out of Africa (1985)
Where: Amazon Prime Video
While Out of Africa is often regarded as one of the lesser-known and less beloved Best Picture Oscar winners, it remains an intriguing cinematic achievement that embodies the era’s epic-scale filmmaking, capturing sweeping vistas and a grand romance. Meryl Streep portrays real-life writer and baroness Karen von Blixen, whose move to Africa in 1913 after marriage reshapes her worldview.
Platoon (1986)
Where: Amazon Prime Video
After experiencing the Vietnam War firsthand, filmmaker Oliver Stone set out to create a brutally honest portrayal of the horrors of battle. The result was a cinematic masterpiece depicting the day-to-day experiences of a typical American platoon. The film boasts a stellar cast, including Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe.
Rain Man (1988)
Where: Amazon Prime Video
In Rain Man, Tom Cruise plays the self-centered Charlie Babbitt, who, after his estranged father’s death, discovers he has an autistic brother named Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) living in Cincinnati—whom their father left all his money to. Determined to claim the inheritance for himself, Charlie checks Raymond out of the facility he is living in and takes him on a journey back to Los Angeles. The trip changes both of their lives.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Where: Amazon Prime Video
One of the few films to win ‘The Big Five’ Oscars (Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, and Screenplay), The Silence of the Lambs remains the only horror movie to claim Best Picture. It follows FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she enlists the help of notorious killer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to track down serial murderer Buffalo Bill.
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Schindler’s List (1993)
Where: Amazon Prime Video
Steven Spielberg was a perennial Oscar bridesmaid, even at the height of his blockbuster success in the 1970s and ’80s. He finally broke through with Schindler’s List, the powerful Holocaust drama that tells the little-known story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), who secretly saved 1,200 Jews during World War II. In our view, it’s one of the greatest Best Picture winners of all time.
Titanic (1997)
Where: Disney+
Millennials across the globe could likely recite Titanic’s screenplay word for word. Jokes aside, the poignant forbidden romance between poor artist Jack and wealthy socialite Rose (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet), set aboard the ill-fated Titanic, remains one of the most iconic and successful films of all time. It’s endlessly rewatchable.
Argo (2012)
Where: HBO Max
Ben Affleck was famously snubbed for Best Director for Argo, his critically acclaimed 2012 thriller about a CIA agent (played by Affleck himself) who orchestrates the daring rescue of six American diplomats hiding in Iran during the 1979–81 hostage crisis—by posing as a film crew. No matter; the movie won Best Picture, which isn’t a bad consolation prize.
Birdman or: The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance (2014)
Where: Disney+
Birdman famously triumphed over critical darling Boyhood at the 2014 Oscars. The experimental film, designed to appear as one continuous shot, follows a washed-up superhero actor (Michael Keaton) attempting a career comeback through a Broadway adaptation of Raymond Carver’s short story “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”.
The Shape of Water (2018)
Where: Disney+
The king of modern-day monster movies, Guillermo del Toro has a distinct aesthetic and storytelling style that has captivated audiences for nearly two decades. He finally won cinema’s top prize with The Shape of Water, an unlikely romance between a mute woman (Sally Hawkins) and a mysterious sea creature.
Parasite (2019)
Where: Netflix
Parasite is a groundbreaking South Korean film that tells the intertwined stories of two families—one rich, one poor—through sharp satire and incisive political commentary. A landmark in Oscar history, it remains the first (and only) non-English language film to win Best Picture. Its impact on modern pop culture is unparalleled.
Nomadland (2020)
Where: Disney+
The pandemic was an unusual time for cinema, and the Oscars reflected that. Instead of awarding a big Hollywood spectacle, the Academy turned to Chloe Zhao’s intimate and contemplative character study. Frances McDormand earned her third Best Actress Oscar for portraying Fern, a modern-day nomad traveling across America, taking on temporary jobs to survive. Nearly plotless, the film resonated during a time of uncertainty, offering a poignant message of resilience, family, and community.
CODA (2021)
Where: Apple TV
Another film that gained recognition during the pandemic, CODA is a heartfelt family drama starring Emilia Jones as the only hearing member of a deaf family. As she navigates high school while helping with the family business, her passion for singing changes everything. The film made history as the first Best Picture winner produced by a streaming service.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Where: HBO Max
The most recent winner on this list (until March 3, of course) is the complex story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy, in an Oscar-winning role), the man behind the atomic bomb—whose invention helped end World War II but left him morally conflicted. Told with Christopher Nolan’s signature flair, the film was a critical and commercial triumph, grossing over $1 billion—a rare feat for an adult-oriented biopic. From its July premiere, Oppenheimer was the Best Picture frontrunner, maintaining its lead until the producers claimed their trophies on Oscar night nearly a year later.
