Get your popcorn ready because the most anticipated night in movies, the 87th Academy Awards, is only three days away. Airing on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST on ABC, there is still some time to catch up on the most buzzed about films this year. But if you are like us, then you have already seen all the nominated films.
So in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, we put together a list of classic Oscar-award winning films that you can stream on either Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu or Amazon Prime Instant Video while you patiently wait for Sunday's big event.
1. Forrest Gump (1994): Best Picture
Forrest Gump is one of the most iconic films of the '90s. It won the 1995 Academy Award for "Best Picture" and five others, including Tom Hanks's win for "Best Actor in a Leading Role." The film follows an unintelligent man's life throughout many historic events. It is available to stream on Netflix.
2. Jerry Maguire (1996): Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Although Jerry Maguire was nominated for five Oscars, including "Best Picture," Cuba Gooding Jr. earned the film the Academy Award for "Best Actor in a Supporting Role." The rom-com-meets-sports-drama follows a sports agent who gets fired and starts his own management firm. Jerry Maguire can be streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video. If you just want to skip right to the good part, here is the famous "show me the money" scene.
3. Erin Brockovich (2000): Best Actress in a Leading Role
Erin Brockovich was nominated for five Academy Awards, with Julia Roberts taking the trophy home for her amazing performance as the single mother who takes down a California power company who was allegedly polluting the water supply. Erin Brockovich can be streamed on HBO GO.
4. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000): Best Cinematography
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, taking home four, including "Best Cinematography." The film features the lush, vibrant landscapes of ancient China, while showcasing some impressive martial arts choreography. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon follows two warriors in a quest to get their hands on a stolen sword, led by a skilled teenager. It is available to stream on Hulu.
5. Platoon (1986): Best Picture
Platoon won "Best Picture" in 1987, along with three other Oscars out of its total of eight nominations. Directed by Oliver Stone and starring Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe, it is one of the classic war movies. Platoon follows a young solider in the Vietnam War as he faces moral issues during his service. Platoon is available to stream on HBO GO.
6. Chinatown (1974): Best Screenplay
Chinatown was nominated for an impressive 11 Academy Awards, Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway winning for best lead roles, and Roman Polanski taking home the Oscar for "Best Director." However, many may not know that this classic film also won the Oscar for "Best Writing, Original Screenplay." The film followed a private detective who is hired to dig up dirt on a adulterer, but instead finds himself buried in lies and murder. Chinatown is available to stream on Netflix.
7. Silence of the Lambs (1991): Best Actress
The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most memorable films of the '90s, making history as the first horror film to win an Oscar for "Best Picture." It also took home four other Oscars, including "Best Actor" for Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of the feared Hannibal Lecter. Jodie Foster also kicked some serious butt as an FBI agent, winning the Oscar for "Best Actress." Silence of the Lambs can be streamed on Netlfix, and the sequel Hannibal, although not an Oscar-winning film, is available to stream on HBO GO after you finish the first.
8. The Great Beauty (2013): Best Foreign Language Film
The Great Beauty won the Oscar last year for the "Best Foreign Language Film of the Year." The Italian film follows a man who was the star of Rome's night life, but after his 65th birthday he begins to see that beauty lies elsewhere. The Great Beauty is available to stream on Hulu.
9. 12 Years a Slave (2013): Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Last year Lupita Nyong'o blew us away with her performance in 12 Years a Slave, which eared her the Oscar for "Best Supporting Actress." The film also won for "Best Motion Picture of the Year," along with best writing after being nominated for a total of nine Academy Awards. The film's plot follows a free black man who is abducted and enslaved as he fights for a way back to his family. 12 Years a Slave is available to stream on HBO GO.
10. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) - Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid won a few Oscars in 1970, but it took home the award for best music for the classic song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head." The western film, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Katharine Ross, follows two robbers who escape the law by fleeing to Bolivia. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is available to stream on Netflix.
