19 Oscar bait movies that made history

Many movies have been marred by accusations of Oscar-baiting, which means that the movie is deliberately tailor-made to win at the Oscars by involving Academy-favorite themes. While these movies gain less acclaim due to these allegations, there are some movies that while they may seem Oscar baits, have also won the audience’s approval and made history by either leaving a lasting impact, winning big, or drawing in massive revenues.

1. Titanic

Directed by James Cameron, this epic romantic and disaster movie seemed to have all the ingredients for an Oscar win. The movie dealt with a popular historical event—the sinking of the Titanic, a love story that enamored, and larger-than-life effects that were path-breaking. While the movie won heavily at the Oscars with eleven awards, it is also an iconic movie that is an audience’s favorite and therefore was the first film to garner a billion dollars.

2. Parasite

This South Korean black comedy thriller made waves when it was released. Under the directorial helm of talented director Bong Joon-ho, the movie quickly became popular due to its uniquely made yet pressing subject matter of the financial divide in South Korea. It is one of the few Oscar-bait movies that has enthralled the audiences as well. It not only won big at the Oscars but was also the first Korean movie to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes.

3. The Revenant

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this Western action drama has been considered a typical Oscar Bait movie due to its challenging story and setting, and an underdog protagonist who wins against all odds. While many think the movie was made to get Leonardo the coveted award, which he did, the movie also became immensely popular and won acclaim for Leonardo’s performance and cinematography.

4. The Godfather

This epic gangster movie broke new ground upon its release and is still considered one of the most influential and famous movies in Hollywood. Under Coppola’s direction, the film emerged as a one-of-a-kind mafia movie that had equal parts of action and emotion. While the movie is the perfect candidate for winning Oscars and it won many of them, the film also made history by being immensely popular and is still considered a pop cultural landmark.

5. Schindler’s List

Directed by Steven Spielberg, this epic historical drama is an obvious Oscar bait movie as it deals with an important historical event—about a German industrialist saving Jews during the holocaust—has a sentimental angle, and is backed by a famous director and cast. And while the movie won big at the Oscars, it is a popular movie in its own right and received widespread acclaim.

6. The Silence of the Lambs

While horror is not a genre that wins big at the Oscars, this Jonathan Demme directorial, turned the tide in its favor. The movie has graphic violence as it revolves around a serial killer. But this did not stop the movie from becoming the first horror movie to win at the Oscars—thanks to Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster’s stellar acting. The movie became Oscar bait, even when it wasn’t considered to be, and also enjoys immense popularity.

7. Lawrence of Arabia

A yesteryear film, this epic biographical adventure drama quickly became one of the most popular movies and is still considered an iconic classic. Though the movie enjoys popularity among audiences, it is a typical Oscar bait movie as it deals with the futility of war, has a mighty hero at the center, stunning visuals, and an epic scale. Nonetheless, the film is an important cultural artifact.

8. Gone with the Wind

Another classic Hollywood movie that enjoys both audience popularity and Oscar approval. This epic historical romance based on the popular novel by Margaret Mitchell was an immediate hit upon release and is one of the highest-grossing movies even today. The movie has all the ingredients for an Oscar win as it deals with American history, a love story for the ages, and a stellar cast. No wonder, it is still so loved.

9. Avatar

James Cameron is known for his obsession with technology and his ability to deliver it on screen. His epic sci-fi movie is rightly considered one of the most popular movies as it wowed the audiences with its path-breaking 3D animation techniques. The film set the template for other movies to dabble in 3D animation and is one of the highest-grossing movies to date. Plus, the movie had all the right factors for the Oscars—which it won.

10. Forrest Gump

Coming-of-age movies that focus on a single protagonist and their tumultuous life, are a favorite at the Oscars. No wonder then, that this drama movie starring Tom Hanks won big at the Academy Awards. But even though the movie might seem like Oscar bait, it has enjoyed popularity among viewers to this day and is a popular and influential movie. The film is a part of pop culture and Hanks’ acting won over the viewers.

11. The Lion King

One of the few animated movies with such a lasting cultural impact, this musical drama about a young lion heir, winning back his throne from an evil uncle, touched the hearts of viewers for its plot, visuals, and resounding background score. The film also had all the right factors to win big at the Oscars—which it did. It remains one of the highest-grossing traditionally animated movies and has the most sales on home video.

12. Ben-Hur

Directed by William Wyler, this classic religious epic from the golden age of Hollywood is the most obvious movie to have won at the Oscars. It is set on a massive scale, has a heroic protagonist, and has religious overtones. While the movie seems to be tailor-made for the awards, it is a historically popular movie. The film won eleven Academy awards and is one of the most influential movies to be made.

13. 12 Years a Slave

As the first Best Picture winner to be made by a black director, this biographical historical drama was poised to win big at the Oscars. The movie dealt with a serious topic, which the Oscars respect, but it also powerfully examined slavery and brought representation in a mostly white-dominated ceremony. The film about an African-American man who is sold into slavery won the hearts of people and left a lasting cultural impact.

14. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

While fantasy movies never won big at the Oscars, this epic fantasy adventure movie reversed that. As the final movie in the trilogy, the movie gained much love among the viewers for its visuals and plot and became a pop culture phenomenon. The film has eleven Oscar wins and became the first fantasy movie to win Best Picture. The film still enjoys enduring popularity.

15. La La Land

Starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, this musical romantic drama enthralled the audiences with its musical numbers, plot, visuals, costumes, and the lead pair’s acting. It quickly became a popular movie upon its release and also scored big at the Oscars with fourteen nominations and multiple wins. The movie might seem like an Oscar bait due to its influential cast and musical setting, but the film enjoys popular appeal and is a modern classic.

16. Moonlight

While this coming-of-age drama movie might seem like an Oscar-bait due to its emphasis on representation with an all-black cast and the theme of LGBTQ+, the film still became immensely popular and started a discussion about representation and LGBTQ+ topics in mainstream cinema. The film won multiple awards at the Oscars and is a culturally important part of cinema. Mahershala Ali also became the first Muslim to win an acting Oscar.

17. Saving Private Ryan

War movies are one of the most popular genres at the Oscars and the movies are often considered Oscar baits. But this war movie directed by Steven Spielberg gained immense popularity among the public and renewed an interest in World War II at the turn of the century. The film has some of the most accurate battle scenes, which still makes it memorable. The movie had all the makings for an Oscar win and won multiple awards.

18. Slumdog Millionaire

Directed by Danny Boyle, this British drama movie gained immense hype upon its release for having an Indian setting, an Indian composer, and popular Indian actors. The movie had a rags-to-riches plot with an emotional center that won over the audiences and the Oscars. Not only did the movie win eight awards at the ceremony, it left behind a lasting cultural impact that is still remembered.

19. Inside Out

Another animated movie that has become a modern classic and had all the makings of an Oscar was this coming-of-age film that personified humans’ inner emotions and delivered a sweet and poignant storyline. The movie not only won at the Oscars, which it was predicted to but also gained public popularity due to its sensitive and mature subject matter and deft handling of topics related to mental health.