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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Geoffrey Macnab

10 worst Oscar Best Picture winners of all time, from Rocky to Braveheart

Photograph: Rex Features

To win a Best Picture Oscar, a film has to have something about it.

Only 90 films in history have been given this award. They’re not voted on by the eccentric members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who pick the Golden Globes, or by specialist groups of critics, but by the 6,000 members of the Academy. That is to say, the choice is made by distinguished figures from within the industry.

Sometimes, though, they do still make some baffling choices.

By the time the Oscars roll around at the end of the awards process, a herd mentality tends to have set in.

When everybody has already voted at all the other awards shows for, say, The King’s Speech or The Shape of Water, the Academy members follow suit. It’s rare for a Best Picture winner ever to be a complete surprise.

Nonetheless, a few questionable films have stolen glory that rightfully belonged elsewhere.

Click through to see the 10 worst winners of Hollywood’s most prestigious award.

Follow along with all the latest Oscars coverage from The Independent here.

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