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The 1980s were an excellent period for every movie lover since a lot of now-legendary films premiered in the decade. However, not every movie achieved the same level of stardom. The movies that won the best picture at the Oscars have a lot of things in common, including the fact that they're inspired by real events more often than not, and they also share a high rating over 7.0 on IMDb.
Despite that, not every modern viewer is familiar with them. With the upcoming Oscar ceremony, it's now an excellent opportunity to catch up on the Oscar winners from the 1980s and see what movies won the Academy over back then.
10 Chariots Of Fire (1981)
Some of the best movies are inspired by real events. Chariots of Fire takes place in 1924 and focuses on two young athletes, one Christian and one Jew, who dream of winning the Olympics, each for a different, but noble reason. And they're willing to sacrifice a lot to achieve their goal.
The movie offers both impressive sports scenes and beautiful music that was composed by Vangelis. The characters, Harold and Eric, are sympathetic, and it's difficult to choose whom the viewers will cheer on.
9 Out Of Africa (1985)
Meryl Streep is one of the most legendary actresses of all time, and even though she didn't win an Oscar for this movie, no fan of Streep should miss out on watching it. Out of Africa is loosely inspired by the real-life of the Danish writer Karen Blixen. In the movie, Karen spent a long time in Africa and fell for the free-spirited Denys (Robert Redford) even though she was already married.
The movie is not only well cast but visually beautiful, and it keeps the audience guessing what will happen next since not every love story has to have a happy ending, especially when inspired by actual events.
8 Terms Of Endearment (1983)
The relationship between a mother and a daughter can be complicated. Especially if the mother is difficult to please and her daughter is trying to become her own person. This Oscar-winning movie captures a situation that many people will be familiar with.
Both Shirley McLaine and Debra Winger in the leading roles give strong performances. Terms of Endearment combines subtle humor and drama in a way that makes for a compelling story and the supporting actors also didn't disappoint, such as Jack Nicholson.
7 Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Racism and prejudices are a prevalent problem that many movies have reflected, including the 1989 Oscar winner for the best picture that also gave the iconic actor Morgan Freeman his breakthrough role. Freeman plays Hoke Colburn who becomes the new driver to the elderly Miss Daisy - who couldn't be less excited about his presence.
But as time progresses, a friendship slowly starts building between them. The movie comes across as realistic since the relationship between Hoke and Miss Daisy doesn't change overnight. To this day, the movie is celebrated for Morgan Freeman's and Jessica Tandy's acting performances and its intelligent sense of humor.
6 The Last Emperor (1987)
The 20th century was the home of many unique stories and people but not all of them are well-known to the Western audience. The story of the last emperor of China is one of them...or was, until Bernardo Bertolucci, directed this visually beautiful movie that takes the viewers into the early 1920s and helps them learn something new about history.
The Last Emperor has it all, an excellent cast and a strong story that doesn't lack tension, and it's one of the few movies that won all the Oscar nominations it had (nine in total!).
5 Ordinary People (1980)
Psychological dramas usually have a higher chance of winning an Oscar than other movies because they allow the actors to dig deep into the complicated relationships of the characters they play. Ordinary People focus on the life of one family that isn't able to communicate properly, and as a result, the young son Conrad experiences a mental breakdown.
What makes the movie even more impressive other than the acting performances and the realistic story is the fact that Ordinary People was the first movie the iconic actor Robert Redford ever directed...and he won an Oscar for it!
4 Rain Man (1988)
Road movies are a common enough genre, but not all of them put such emphasis on a developing bond between two brothers who haven't known each other before. Charlie (Tom Cruise) originally plans to get rid of his autistic brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) fast, but they eventually grow closer.
That's what makes the movie's ending even more bittersweet. Hoffman spent a considerable amount of time studying the behavior of people with autism and his performance mirrors it, but Tom Cruise doesn't disappoint either, and the complex relationship between Charlie and Raymond is one of many highlights of the movie.
3 Gandhi (1982)
Ben Kingsley has played many memorable roles but his performance as Gandhi, real-life lawyer and leader of the Indian people who revolted against the British peacefully, is one of the most remarkable ones. Kingsley excels in the part and won an Oscar for it.
The movie is a great way how to learn more about Gandhi's life and what made him so special. Some viewers might initially struggle with the movie's length of over three hours, but Gandhi was a huge hit, and it won eight Oscars in total.
2 Platoon (1986)
War movies are one of the staples of cinematography. Oliver Stone created Platoon based on his real experience, which makes everything that happens in the movie even more chilling. At its heart, Platoon is a story of a young soldier, Taylor (Charlie Sheen), who witnesses the behavior of two very different sergeants, one who's trying to stay human while the other doesn't.
And it's up to Taylor to choose a side. Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe, as well Charlie Sheen, are unforgettable in their roles and the movie has the power to make the audience consider the fine line between good and evil.
1 Amadeus (1984)
Amadeus is once again inspired by real historical figures but changes their lives and personalities. That doesn't make the story any less fascinating. Tom Hulce stars as Mozart, the brilliant composer, and F. Murray Abraham plays his jealous competitor, Salieri, who's well aware that he'll never be as talented as Mozart, and it slowly drives him mad.
The Czechoslovakia-born director Milos Forman offers a trip into the 18th century that's full of colors, music, and keeps a fast pace even though it lasts over two and a half hours.