Best Movies Of Last 5 Years Will Surprise Film Lovers
Why These Best Movies of Last 5 Years Deserve More Awards
The best movies of last 5 years are CODA, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Oppenheimer, Anora, and One Battle After Another, which won Best Picture at the 94th, 95th, 96th, 97th, and 98th Academy Awards respectively. These films collectively earned 23 Oscar wins, with Everything Everywhere All at Once leading at 7 awards on March 12, 2023, Anora winning 4 awards including Best Picture on March 2, 2025, and Oppenheimer dominating with 7 wins including Best Director for Christopher Nolan.
Best Picture Winners: The Definitive List (2021-2025)
Each year's Best Picture winner represents a milestone in cinematic achievement and cultural impact. The Academy's recognition reflects holistic storytelling excellence that parallels the comprehensive educational formation central to Marist pedagogy.
| Year | Best Picture Winner | Director | OSCAR WINS | KEY SIGNIFICANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CODA | Sian Heder | 3 (Perfect Record) | First streaming Best Picture; first deaf actor Oscar |
| 2022 | Everything Everywhere All at Once | Daniels | 7 | First Asian woman Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh) |
| 2023 | Oppenheimer | Christopher Nolan | 7 | Best Director + Best Actor (Cillian Murphy) |
| 2024 | Anora | Sean Baker | 4 | 4th Palme d'Or to Best Picture; $6M budget |
| 2025 | One Battle After Another | PTA | 249+ awards total | 94% Rotten Tomatoes; Timothée Chalamet lead |
Critical Acclaim Beyond Best Picture
Films like Godzilla Minus One won Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024, becoming the first Japanese-language film to win in this category. Ryan Coogler's Sinners earned 16 Oscar nominations and won Best Original Screenplay for Coogler, grossing $368 million worldwide against a $90-100 million budget.
Top Gun: Maverick won Best Sound at the 2023 Oscars and accumulated 66 total awards from 184 nominations, demonstrating how technical excellence supports narrative power. Dune: Part Two won Best Sound and Best Visual Effects at the 97th Academy Awards, with cinematography and original score also recognized.
Top-Rated Films by Critical Consensus
- Sinners - 97% Rotten Tomatoes, 300+ awards
- One Battle After Another - 94% Rotten Tomatoes, 249 awards
- KPop Demon Hunters - 96% Rotten Tomatoes
- The Perfect Neighbor - 99% Rotten Tomatoes
- Everything Everywhere All at Once - historic 7-Oscar sweep
Educational Values Reflected in Award-Winning Cinema
These films demonstrate character formation through story, a principle central to Marist education. CODA's depiction of family responsibility and inclusion mirrors the Marist commitment to serving marginalized communities. Everything Everywhere All at Once's exploration of generational healing and immigrant experience resonates with Latin American families navigating cultural identity.
Oppenheimer's moral complexity around scientific responsibility parallels educational discussions about ethics and conscience. Anora's focus on class mobility and human dignity aligns with the social mission of Catholic education across Brazil and Latin America.
- Recognize excellence - Study why these films earned awards through screenplay structure, cinematography, and performance
- Analyze values - Identify themes of service, inclusion, moral courage, and community that align with Marist pedagogy
- Apply to curriculum - Use films as case studies for media literacy, ethical reasoning, and cultural awareness classes
- Engage families - Host parent-student film discussions connecting cinema to faith formation and social justice
- Measure impact - Track student reflection essays and service projects inspired by film themes
Everything you need to know about Best Movies Of Last 5 Years Will Surprise Film Lovers
What are the best movies of the last 5 years by awards?
The best movies by awards are Everything Everywhere All at Once (7 Oscars), Oppenheimer (7 Oscars), Anora (4 Oscars), CODA (3 Oscars), and One Battle After Another (Best Picture 2025), with Sinners earning 16 nominations and winning Best Original Screenplay.
Which Best Picture winner was the first streaming film?
CODA was the first production from a streaming video service (Apple TV+) to win Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards, and Troy Kotsur became the first deaf male actor to win an acting Oscar.
What made Everything Everywhere All at Once historically significant?
Everything Everywhere All at Once won 7 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh, first Asian woman), Best Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), and Best Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis), making it the only film to win Best Picture, Director, and three acting prizes.
Did Godzilla Minus One win an Academy Award?
Yes, Godzilla Minus One won Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024, becoming the first Godzilla film and first Japanese-language film to win in the VFX category.
How did Anora's budget compare to its awards success?
Anora was produced for approximately $6 million but won 4 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Mikey Madison), and Best Original Screenplay, becoming the fourth Palme d'Or winner to win Best Picture.
Why do these films deserve more recognition in education?
These films demonstrate holistic formation through storytelling that addresses inclusion, moral courage, cultural identity, and social justice-core values of Marist education that help students develop intellectual, spiritual, and social dimensions.
