By Jessica Wedemeyer
4:46am PDT, Apr 17, 2024
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In relation to the film enterprise, the one factor fixed is change. Audiences’ tastes in cinema have shifted dramatically over the many years — from when Biblical epics and sword-and-sandal dramas dominated the field workplace to moviegoers’ present obsession with action-packed superhero flicks and horror movies (no matter their sway on critics).
Let’s have a look again at the preferred movie yearly from 1937 to 2009.
Hold studying to see the largest film the yr you had been born (together with “Gone With the Wind,” seen right here)…
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1937: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” which is predicated on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, wasn’t simply the top-grossing movie of 1937. It was additionally the very first feature-length animated movie, in addition to the very first Disney film. Walt Disney received an honorary Academy Award for the cartoon for “important display innovation which has charmed hundreds of thousands and pioneered a fantastic new leisure discipline.”
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1938: “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”
Tyrone Energy starred because the title character, who shames his household by pursuing jazz as a substitute of classical music, within the drama, which spans the historical past of jazz over the course of greater than twenty years. Legendary composer Irving Berlin wrote the movie, which is known as after his eponymous tune. “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received one of many six Oscars for which it was nominated: finest rating. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “You Cannot Take It with You.”
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1939: “Gone With the Wind”
Vivien Leigh starred as Scarlett O’Hara reverse Clark Gable as Rhett Butler within the massive display adaptation of the Margaret Mitchell novel, which spans many years within the lifetime of the daughter of a Georgia plantation proprietor earlier than and after the Civil Battle. The epic love story wasn’t simply the top-grossing movie of ’39 — it is also thought-about probably the most profitable movie of all time when its general gross is adjusted for inflation (it earned $390 million when admission was 1 / 4 a ticket, which might be a reported $1.8 billion right now). “Gone with the Wind” received eight of the 13 Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image, finest director and finest lead actress. It additionally received an honorary Academy Award for “excellent achievement in the usage of coloration for the enhancement of dramatic temper” and a technical achievement Academy Award for “pioneering in the usage of coordinated tools.”
1940: “Rebecca”
Alfred Hitchcock directed Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier within the psychological thriller “Rebecca,” which chronicles a younger girl’s marriage to a wealthy widower and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his first spouse’s loss of life. Along with being the top-grossing movie of 1940, “Rebecca” received two Oscars — for finest image and finest cinematography — and earned a whopping 9 extra nominations.
1941: “Sergeant York”
Gary Cooper starred because the titular WWI soldier Alvin York, a marksman and adorned struggle hero, within the Howard Hawks-directed biopic “Sergeant York,” the top-grossing movie of 1941. The historic drama received two Oscars — finest movie modifying and finest lead actor — and earned 9 extra nominations, together with finest image. (The household drama “How Inexperienced Was My Valley” took house high honors in the course of the 1942 Academy Awards, although it did not fill as many theaters as “Sergeant York.”)
1942: “Mrs. Miniver”
The massive-screen adaptation of the eponymous 1940 novel was an enormous hit on the field workplace and with the Academy. Greer Garson and Teresa Wright portrayed the 2 Mrs. Minivers — the matriarch of a rural English household and her daughter-in-law — and took house Oscars for his or her work within the WWII-set drama, the top-grossing movie of 1942. “Mrs. Miniver” received 4 extra Academy Awards — finest image, finest director, finest screenplay and finest cinematography — and earned six extra nominations.
1943: “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman starred as anti-fascist guerrillas who fall in love in the course of the Spanish Civil Battle within the big-screen adaptation of the 1940 Ernest Hemingway novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” Along with being the top-grossing movie of 1943, the struggle drama earned 9 Oscar nominations, together with finest image. In the end, it solely received one: finest supporting actress for Katina Paxinou. One other Bergman movie, “Casablanca,” received the Oscars for finest image, finest director and finest screenplay that yr — and went on to grow to be some of the iconic and beloved movies of all time. However regardless of its lasting affect, “Casablanca” simply did not appeal to as a lot consideration from the general public again in ’43.
1944: “Going My Method”
Bing Crosby starred as a younger priest who’s assigned to a New York Metropolis church, the place he clashes with Barry Fitzgerald’s older, extra conventional priest, in 1944’s “Going My Method.” Along with being the top-grossing movie of the yr, the musical dramedy received seven Oscars — finest image, finest lead actor, finest supporting actor, finest director, finest authentic story, finest screenplay and finest authentic tune — and earned three extra nominations.
1945: “The Bells of St. Mary’s”
Ingrid Bergman and Bing Crosby co-starred as a nun and a priest within the 1945 sequel to 1944’s “Going My Method.” Like its predecessor, “The Bells of St. Mary’s” was the top-grossing movie of the yr. The musical did not land fairly as properly with the Academy, although, solely claiming one Oscar (for finest sound recording) out of eight nominations. It misplaced out on the prizes for finest image and finest lead actor to “The Misplaced Weekend” and its star, Ray Milland, whereas “Mildred Pierce” star Joan Crawford bested Ingrid in the very best lead actress class.
1946: “The Finest Years of Our Lives”
Two movies dominated the field workplace throughout 1946: “Duel within the Solar” and “The Finest Years of Our Lives.” However whereas the Western earned solely two Oscar nominations (for finest lead actress and finest supporting actress), the drama received a whopping eight Academy Awards, together with finest image, finest lead actor, finest supporting actor and finest director. The star of the movie, an actual soldier named Harold Russell who misplaced each of his arms whereas serving within the Military, made his appearing debut as a veteran adjusting to civilian life following WWII in “The Finest Years of Our Lives.” Along with his Oscar for finest lead actor, the newcomer (pictured with co-star Cathy O’Donnell) took house an honorary Academy Award for “bringing hope and braveness to his fellow veterans.”
1947: “Unconquered”
Paulette Goddard starred as an English indentured servant on the western frontier throughout colonial America reverse Gary Cooper as the person who buys after which frees her within the Cecil B. DeMille-directed adventure-drama “Unconquered,” the top-grossing movie of 1947.
1948: “The Crimson Footwear”
Moira Shearer starred as a ballerina torn between the composer she loves (Marius Goring, left) and the pinnacle of her ballet firm (Anton Walbrook, proper) within the 1948 drama “The Crimson Footwear.” It was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received two of 5 Oscars for which it was nominated. In the end, “The Crimson Footwear” misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to a different British manufacturing: a big-screen adaptation of “Hamlet” with actor-director Laurence Olivier within the title function.
1949: “Samson and Delilah”
Cecil B. DeMille directed Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature because the titular seductress and the strongman she betrays by reducing his hair, the key to his super-strength, within the adaptation of the Bible story. “Samson and Delilah” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received two of 5 Oscars for which it was nominated. On the time of its launch, it was the third-highest-grossing movie ever, behind “Gone with the Wind” and “The Finest Years of Our Lives.” (As a result of it debuted in December 1949, the Biblical drama was additionally technically the preferred movie of 1950.)
1950: “King Solomon’s Mines”
Stewart Granger starred as an adventurer serving to a lady (Deborah Kerr) and her brother (Richard Carlson) seek for her lacking husband within the mines of Africa within the big-screen adaptation of the eponymous 1885 novel “King Solomon’s Mines.” The action-adventure movie was the top-grossing film of 1950 except for “Samson and Delilah,” which debuted in 1949, and received two of the three Oscars for which it was nominated. (It misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “All About Eve.”)
1951: “Quo Vadis”
Robert Taylor starred as a Roman officer who falls in love with a Christian girl (Deborah Kerr) as early Christians are persecuted by the insane emperor Nero within the drama. “Quo Vadis” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and earned eight Oscar nominations. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “An American in Paris,” which is now thought-about the extra iconic of the 2 movies.
1952: “The Best Present on Earth”
Charlton Heston starred because the supervisor of a drama-plagued railroad circus in “The Best Present on Earth.” The Cecil B. DeMille-directed drama was the top-grossing movie of 1952 and received two of the 5 Oscars for which it was nominated: finest image and finest story writing.
1953: “The Gown”
Richard Burton starred as a Roman officer concerned with the crucifixion of Jesus who then turns into a Christian within the Biblical epic. “The Gown” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received two of the 5 Oscars for which it was nominated. (It misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “From Right here to Eternity.”)
1954: “Rear Window”
James Stewart starred as a photographer confined to a wheelchair who suspects {that a} neighbor has murdered his spouse within the iconic Alfred Hitchcock-directed thriller, which earned 4 Oscar nominations.
1955: “Cinerama Vacation”
Although a few of Hollywood’s most iconic movies (“Seven Yr Itch,” “Oklahoma!” and “Girl and the Tramp”) debuted in 1955, it was a since-forgotten journey documentary referred to as “Cinerama Vacation” that dominated the field workplace that yr. The movie chronicled the adventures of an American couple touring in Europe and of a European couple touring in america.
1956: “The Ten Commandments”
Charlton Heston starred as Moses within the iconic Biblical epic “The Ten Commandments.” The Cecil B. DeMille-directed drama was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received one of many seven Oscars for which it was nominated. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Across the World in 80 Days.”
1957: “The Bridge on the River Kwai”
Alec Guinness starred as Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson — a British POW at a Japanese jail camp in Burma, the place the boys are pressured to construct a bridge over the titular river — within the WWII drama. “The Bridge on the River Kwai” was the top-grossing movie of 1957 and received seven of the eight Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest lead actor.
1958: “South Pacific”
Mitzi Gaynor starred as a nurse who falls for Rossano Brazzi’s French expat whereas stationed on a South Pacific island throughout WWII within the big-screen adaptation of the hit Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. “South Pacific” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and earned one of many three Oscars for which it was nominated.
1959: “Ben-Hur”
Charlton Heston starred because the titular Jewish prince — who turns into a slave after which a charioteer throughout his struggles towards the Romans earlier than in the end encountering Jesus and changing into a Christian — within the iconic drama. “Ben-Hur” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received a whopping 11 of the 12 Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest lead actor.
1960: “Spartacus”
Kirk Douglas starred because the titular slave-turned-gladiator, who turns into the chief of an enormous insurrection towards the Romans, within the iconic Stanley Kubrick-directed drama. “Spartacus” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received 4 of the six Oscars for which it was nominated.
1961: “West Facet Story”
Richard Beymer starred as Tony reverse Natalie Wooden as Maria within the big-screen adaptation of the beloved New York Metropolis-set musical “West Facet Story,” which is impressed by William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” It was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received 10 of the 11 Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image.
1962: “Lawrence of Arabia”
Peter O’Toole starred because the titular British archaeologist, navy officer and author within the epic biopic. Along with being the yr’s top-grossing movie, “Lawrence of Arabia” additionally cleaned up in the course of the Oscars, successful seven of the ten awards for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest director.
1963: “Cleopatra”
Elizabeth Taylor starred because the titular Queen of Egypt and Richard Burton portrayed her paramour, Mark Antony, within the epic drama. Despite its troubled manufacturing — the movie famously went far over its manufacturing funds and was tormented by scandal because of the affair between its stars– “Cleopatra” was the top-grossing movie of the yr. It received 4 of the 9 Oscars for which it was nominated however in the end misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Tom Jones.”
1964: “My Honest Girl”
Audrey Hepburn starred as Eliza Doolittle reverse Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins within the big-screen adaptation of the musical “My Honest Girl,” which is predicated on the George Bernard Shaw play “Pygmalion” — during which a phonetics knowledgeable makes a guess than he can reworked a poor flower vendor into a correct girl. It was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received eight of the 12 Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest lead actor.
1965: “The Sound of Music”
Julie Andrews starred as Maria — a younger governess who slowly falls for the strict father of the youngsters in her care, Christopher Plummer’s Captain von Trapp — in pre-Third Reich-ruled Austria within the big-screen adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. “The Sound of Music” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received 5 of the ten Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest director.
1966: “The Bible: Within the Starting…”
John Huston portrayed Noah and served because the narrator in addition to the voice of God within the Biblical epic, which he additionally directed. “The Bible: Within the Starting…” centered on 5 Bible tales — creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah’s Ark and Abraham — and was the top-grossing movie of the yr however earned only one Oscar nomination: finest authentic rating.
1967: “The Graduate”
Dustin Hoffman starred as Benjamin Braddock, who’s seduced by Anne Bancroft’s Mrs. Robinson, within the iconic Mike Nichols-directed dramedy, which is predicated on the Charles Webb novel. “The Graduate” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and earned seven Oscar nominations — however solely took house one: finest director. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Within the Warmth of the Evening.” (It was a giant yr for cinema: The opposite three finest image nominees had been “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Physician Dolittle” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”)
1968: “2001: A Area Odyssey”
Keir Dullea starred as Dr. Dave Bowman — who’s touring to Jupiter aboard a spacecraft managed by the devious synthetic intelligence HAL 9000 — within the Stanley Kubrick-directed sci-fi epic, which spans time and house. “2001: A Area Odyssey” received one of many 4 Oscars for which it was nominated and is now thought-about maybe probably the most iconic sci-fi movie in cinema historical past.
1969: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Child”
Paul Newman (proper) and Robert Redford (left) starred because the titular outlaws within the iconic Western, which was the top-grossing movie of 1969 and received 4 of the seven Oscars for which it was nominated. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Midnight Cowboy,” which crammed lower than half as many theaters as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Child.”
1970: “Love Story”
Ryan O’Neal starred as wealthy child Oliver Barrett IV — who falls in love with Ali MacGraw’s working-class woman Jenny Cavalleri — within the romantic drama, which gave us the long-lasting line, “Love means by no means having to say you are sorry.” It was the top-grossing movie of the yr however solely received one of many seven Oscars for which it was nominated. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Patton.”
1971: “Fiddler on the Roof”
Topol starred as Tevye, the Jewish father of 5 ladies in the course of the interval when Imperial Russia dominated Ukraine, within the big-screen adaptation of the beloved musical. “Fiddler on the Roof” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received three of the eight Oscars for which it was nominated. (It misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to the second-highest-grossing movie of the yr, “The French Connection.”)
1972: “The Godfather”
Marlon Brando starred as mob boss Don Vito Corleone and Al Pacino portrayed his college-educated youngest son, Michael Corleone, who slowly enters the household enterprise, within the iconic drama, which is commonly cited as the best movie in cinema historical past. “The Godfather” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received three of the 11 Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest lead actor for Brando.
1973: “The Sting”
Robert Redford and Paul Newman starred as Nice Despair-era conmen pulling a rip-off on a mob boss within the crime dramedy, which was the top-grossing movie of the yr. “The Sting” received seven of the ten Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest director.
1974: “Blazing Saddles”
Cleavon Little starred as Sheriff Bart — who befriends Gene Wilder’s alcoholic gunslinger Jim, The Waco Child — within the hilarious Mel Brooks-directed satirical Western. “Blazing Saddles” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and earned three Oscar nominations.
1975: “Jaws”
Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss starred as three males searching a lethal nice white shark within the Steven Spielberg-directed thriller, which launched a franchise — in addition to a shark-movie craze that continues right now. “Jaws” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received three of the 4 Oscars for which it was nominated. It misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
1976: “Rocky”
Sylvester Stallone starred because the titular boxer within the beloved sports activities drama “Rocky,” which was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received three of the ten Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest director.
1977: “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
Mark Hamill starred as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher starred as Princess Leia and Harrison Ford starred as Han Solo within the first installment in some of the well-liked film franchises of all time. The debut chapter within the epic house opera, which George Lucas directed, was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received six of the ten Oscars for which it was nominated, in addition to a particular achievement award for sound designer Ben Burtt. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Annie Corridor,” which continues to be a widely known movie however made only a fraction of what “Star Wars” made on the field workplace again in ’77.
1978: “Grease”
Olivia Newton-John starred as good-girl Sandy reverse John Travolta as unhealthy boy Danny within the big-screen adaptation of the excessive school-set musical. “Grease” was the top-grossing movie of the yr — and is now some of the beloved film musicals of all time — but it surely earned just one Oscar nomination again in 1978: finest authentic tune for “Hopelessly Dedicated to You.”
1979: “Kramer vs. Kramer”
Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman starred as a former married couple battling over the custody of their younger son (Justin Henry) within the drama, which was the top-grossing movie of 1979. “Kramer vs. Kramer” earned 5 of the 9 Oscars for which it was nominated: finest image, finest lead actor, finest supporting actress, finest director and finest tailored screenplay.
1980: “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Again”
Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker separated from his buddies to pursue his Jedi coaching with Grasp Yoda within the second installment within the “Star Wars” franchise, “The Empire Strikes Again,” which did not make fairly as a lot cash on the field workplace as its predecessor however nonetheless greater than doubled what “9 to five,” the second-highest-grossing movie of 1980, made on the field workplace. The sequel received one of many three Oscars for which it was nominated and in addition earned a particular achievement award for visible results.
1981: “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Misplaced Ark”
Harrison Ford starred as archaeologist Indiana Jones within the Steven Spielberg-directed action-adventure flick, which finally spawned three sequels. “Raiders of the Misplaced Ark” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and virtually doubled what runner-up “On Golden Pond” made on the field workplace. It additionally received 4 of the eight Oscars for which it was nominated, in addition to a particular achievement award for sound results modifying. In the end, although, the primary installment within the “Indiana Jones” franchise misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Chariots of Fireplace.”
1982: “E.T. the Further-Terrestrial”
Henry Thomas starred as Elliott, slightly boy who befriends an alien being after it is stranded on Earth, within the Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi movie. “E.T.” was the top-grossing film of the yr and earned 4 of the 9 Oscars for which it was nominated. It misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to slightly film referred to as “Gandhi,” which made only a fraction of what “E.T.” banked on the field workplace — which, by the way in which, was greater than double what the second-highest-grossing movie of ’82, “Tootsie,” made.
1983: “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi”
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill reunited for the third installment within the “Star Wars” franchise, which was the top-grossing movie of the yr. “Return of the Jedi” earned 4 Oscar nominations and received a particular achievement Academy Award for visible results.
1984: “Beverly Hills Cop”
Eddie Murphy starred as Axel Foley, a police officer who relocates from Detroit to Beverly Hills to resolve a good friend’s homicide, within the action-comedy “Beverly Hills Cop,” which was the top-grossing movie of the yr and even scored an Oscar nomination for finest screenplay.
1985: “Again to the Future”
Michael J. Fox starred as Marty McFly, who encounters teen variations of his mother and father when he is transported again in time by Christopher Lloyd’s Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown, within the Robert Zemeckis-directed sci-fi comedy. “Again to the Future” was the top-grossing movie of the yr, spawned two sequels and received one of many 4 Oscars for which it was nominated.
1986: “High Gun”
Tom Cruise starred as Maverick, a cocky Navy aviator competing in a prestigious coaching program within the Tony Scott-directed action-drama “High Gun.” It was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received one of many 4 Oscars for which it was nominated.
1987: “Three Males and a Child”
Steve Guttenberg, Tom Selleck and Ted Danson starred as bachelors who abruptly discover themselves caring for a child woman whereas juggling a drug deal gone mistaken within the Leonard Nimoy-directed comedy of errors “Three Males and a Child,” which was the top-grossing movie of the yr.
1988: “Rain Man”
Tom Cruise starred as an insensitive businessman who discovers he has an older brother with savant syndrome (Dustin Hoffman) within the road-trip dramedy. “Rain Man” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and in addition received 4 of the eight Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image, finest director and finest lead actor for Hoffman.
1989: “Indiana Jones and the Final Campaign”
Harrison Ford returned to the function of Indiana Jones within the third installment within the eponymous franchise, during which Sean Connery co-starred as Indy’s father, Professor Henry Jones. “The Final Campaign” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received one of many three Oscars for which it was nominated.
1990: “Ghost”
Demi Moore starred as a potter who’s visited by the spirit of her murdered boyfriend (Patrick Swayze) within the romantic thriller. “Ghost” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received two of 5 Oscars for which it was nominated. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Dances with Wolves.”
1991: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”
Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor teamed up with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 Terminator to guard her teen son, Edward Furlong’s John Connor, within the sequel to 1984’s “The Terminator.” The James Cameron-directed sci-fi flick was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received 4 of the six Oscars for which it was nominated.
1992: “Aladdin”
Scott Weinger, the actor who performed Steve on “Full Home,” voiced the titular thief, who stumbles upon a magic lamp containing a strong genie voiced by Robin Williams, within the hit Disney animated musical. “Aladdin” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received two of the 5 Oscars for which it was nominated: finest authentic rating and finest authentic tune for “A Entire New World.”
1993: “Jurassic Park”
Laura Dern and Sam Neill starred as a paleobotanist and a paleontologist recruited by an eccentric industrialist to discover and evaluate his new theme park, the place cloned dinosaurs are the principle attraction, within the beloved Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi motion flick. “Jurassic Park” was the top-grossing movie of the yr — and greater than doubled what the second-highest-grossing movie of ’93, “Mrs. Doubtfire,” made on the field workplace. It additionally launched a franchise that continues right now and received all three Oscars for which it was nominated.
1994: “The Lion King”
Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick voiced the youthful and older variations of the titular wild cat within the Disney animated musical, which chronicles the coming-of-age of a lion cub following the tragic loss of life of his father (the voice of James Earl Jones). “The Lion King” was the top-grossing movie of the yr, spawned a Broadway musical and received two of the 4 Oscars for which it was nominated: finest authentic rating and finest authentic tune for “Can You Really feel the Love Tonight.”
1995: “Toy Story”
Tom Hanks voiced a pull-string cowboy doll named Woody — who feels changed by his proprietor’s new favourite toy, an area ranger motion determine named Buzz Lightyear (the voice of Tim Allen) — within the John Lasseter-directed Disney cartoon. “Toy Story,” which spawned two sequels, was the top-grossing movie of the yr and earned three Oscar nominations. It additionally received a particular achievement Academy Award for the event of computer-animation methods.
1996: “Independence Day”
Will Smith’s fighter pilot Captain Steven Hiller teamed up with Jeff Goldblum’s satellite tv for pc technician and laptop knowledgeable David Levinson to thwart an alien invasion within the Roland Emmerich-directed sci-fi motion flick. “Independence Day,” which spawned a 2016 sequel, was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received one of many two Oscars for which it was nominated: finest visible results.
1997: “Titanic”
Leonardo Dicaprio starred as poor artist Jack Dawson reverse Kate Winslet as wealthy woman Rose DeWitt Bukater within the James Cameron-directed love story and catastrophe movie. “Titanic” was the top-grossing movie of the yr — it greater than tripled what the second-highest-grossing film of ’97, “The Misplaced World: Jurassic Park,” made on the field workplace — and received 11 of the 14 Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest director. The epic is one in every of three films (together with “Ben-Hur” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”) tied for the document for many Academy Awards received by a single movie.
1998: “Armageddon”
Steve Buscemi, Will Patton, Bruce Willis, Michael Clarke Duncan, Ben Affleck and Owen Wilson portrayed deep-sea oil drillers employed by NASA to cease an enormous meteor from destroying the planet within the Michael Bay-directed sci-fi motion flick. “Armageddon” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and earned 4 Oscar nominations.
1999: “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace”
Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson starred as Jedis who encounter a younger Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) within the fourth installment within the “Star Wars” franchise, a prequel to the unique trilogy. “The Phantom Menace,” which George Lucas directed, was the top-grossing movie of the yr and earned three Oscar nominations.
2000: “Mission: Unattainable 2”
Tom Cruise returned to the function of Ethan Hunt within the sequel to 1996’s “Mission: Unattainable,” during which the super-spy and his crew try to cease a rogue agent from releasing a lethal bioweapon. The John Woo-directed motion flick was the top-grossing movie of the yr, although it attracted much less awards consideration than movies like “Gladiator” and “Site visitors,” which additionally debuted in 2000.
2001: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
Daniel Radcliffe starred because the titular boy wizard alongside Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger within the big-screen adaptation of the hit youngsters’s guide “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” The fantasy flick launched a franchise, was the top-grossing movie of the yr and earned three Oscar nominations.
2002: “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
The second installment within the “Lord of the Rings” franchise bested the second installment within the “Harry Potter” franchise on the field in ’02. Elijah Wooden starred as Frodo Baggins, who struggles with the burden of carrying The Ring whereas touring with Sean Astin’s Samwise Gamgee towards Mordor, within the Peter Jackson-directed sequel to 2001’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” Along with making extra money than every other movie that yr, “The Two Towers” additionally received two of the six Oscars for which it was nominated. In the end, although, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest image to “Chicago.”
2003: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
Elijah Wooden returned to the function of Frodo Baggins within the closing installment within the “Lord of the Ring” franchise. “The Return of the King,” which Peter Jackson directed, was the top-grossing movie of the yr and received all 11 Oscars for which it was nominated, together with finest image and finest director. The fantasy movie tied with “Ben-Hur” and “Titanic” for the document for many Academy Awards received by any single movie.
2004: “Shrek 2”
Mike Myers voiced the titular ogre within the sequel to 2001’s “Shrek,” during which the title character groups up with Puss in Boots (the voice of Antonio Banderas) and Donkey (the voice of Eddie Murphy) to cease Fairy Godmother from sabotaging his marriage to Princess Fiona (the voice of Cameron Diaz). The cartoon was the top-grossing movie of the yr and scored two Oscar nominations. In the end, it misplaced the Academy Award for finest animated function movie to “The Incredibles.”
2005: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireplace”
Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson returned to the roles that made them stars within the fourth installment within the “Harry Potter” movie franchise, which centered across the lethal Triwizard Event. “The Goblet of Fireplace” was the top-grossing movie of the yr and scored one Oscar nomination: finest artwork route.
2006: “Pirates of the Caribbean: Lifeless Man’s Chest”
Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Lifeless Man’s Chest” — which noticed Johnny Depp return to the function of Captain Jack Sparrow — made greater than a billion {dollars} on the international field workplace in 2006, making it probably the most profitable installment within the collection, which kicked off with 2003’s “The Curse of the Black Pearl.” Whereas the primary movie within the franchise scored 5 Oscar nominations, “Dean Man’s Chest” earned 4 — and in the end took house the Academy Award for finest visible results. It wasn’t as well-liked with critics, although, scoring a 53% rotten ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
2007: “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s Finish”
It was one other massive yr for Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise! In 2007, the third installment within the collection starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow — “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s Finish” — banked $963M on the international field workplace – down a bit from its billion-dollar predecessor. The threequel additionally earned fewer Oscar nominations — simply two — and in the end went house empty-handed. Evaluations clearly did not have a lot affect on ticket gross sales: “At World’s Finish” scored a 44% rotten ranking with critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
2008: “The Darkish Knight”
The second installment in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy — “The Darkish Knight” — dominated the field workplace in 2008. It earned almost a billion {dollars} in ticket gross sales and scored a 94% contemporary ranking with each critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. The superhero flick — during which Christian Bale’s Batman confronted off towards Heath Ledger’s Joker — additionally racked up Oscar nominations (eight whole) and in the end claimed two: finest sound modifying and finest supporting actor for Heath, who died seven months earlier than the movie debuted. One other spectacular accomplishment? “The Darkish Knight” ranks third on IMDb’s record of the preferred movies of all time behind “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Godfather.”
2009: “Avatar”
It is the second highest grossing movie of all time, behind solely 1939’s “Gone with the Wind.” James Cameron’s “Avatar” earned greater than $2.7B on the international field workplace after it opened in theaters in 2009. It scored an 82% contemporary ranking with each critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and earned 9 Oscar nominations, in the end successful finest artwork route, finest visible results and finest cinematography. (“Avatar” misplaced the Oscar for finest image to Danny Boyle’s indie darling “Slumdog Millionaire.”)