The 1950s was a banner decade for the American film industry. Not only was there a vast array of genres being explored from 1950 to 1959, but some of the all-time greatest filmmakers stayed busy while pushing the art form forward. Cinematic titans such as Elia Kazan, David Lean, William Wyler, Fred Zinnemann, Cecil B. DeMille, and others delivered high-quality, award-winning films.
Of course, one of the major challenges filmmakers faced in the 1950s was the widespread popularity of television broadcasting. As more people began staying home to find entertainment, Hollywood studios had to rethink ways of telling stories on the big screen. As such, here are the top Best Picture winners of the decade, based on their IMDb scores.
The Greatest Show On Earth (1952) – 6.6
Recently remade with Hugh Jackman in the leading role, The Greatest Show on Earth marked the penultimate film of Cecil B. DeMille, a founding cinematic father whose work in the industry dates back to 1914. In addition to Best Picture, the film won Best Original Screenplay.
The film follows the rollicking cast of characters in the biggest, most spectacular circus-show in town, including trapeze artists, clowns, an elephant wrangler, and lusty emcee The Great Sebastian (Cornel Wilde).
Gigi (1958) – 6.7
Master of the musical Vincent Minelli directed Best Picture winners during the 1950s, the second coming via Gigi in 1958. The film won all nine Academy Awards it was nominated for, including Best Director (Minelli).
The film takes place in The Bell Epoque period of France, in which dashing playboy Gaston (Louis Jordan) can’t quite adjust to the mores of the time. When Gaston meets Gigi (Leslie Caron), the down-to-Earth tomboy, and granddaughter of his uncle’s mistress, he can’t help but fall in love.
Around The World In 80 Days (1956) – 6.8
The sprawling three-hour adventure film Around the World in 80 Days won a total of five Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography. The film was also remade with Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan in 2004.
Based on the Jules Verne story, the high-concept family outing concerns eccentric Englishman Phileas Fogg (David Niven), who makes a bet that he can circle the globe in 80 days. Fogg’s confidence comes from the technological advances made in steam and rail travel, but he encounters one obstacle after another along his quest.
An American In Paris (1951) – 7.2
Vincent Minelli nearly started and ended the decade by guiding a pair of musicals to Best Picture wins. The first came in 1951 via An American in Paris, and the second came in the aforesaid Gigi in 1958.
The former film follows a torrid love triangle between American ex-pat and aspiring painter Jerry (Gene Kelly), his concert pianist neighbor Adam (Oscar Levant), and sophisticated French socialite Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron). As the trio peruses Parisian bars, cafes, and nightclubs, sparks fly among all involved until an emotional reckoning takes place.
From Here To Eternity (1953) – 7.6
Fred Zinnemann’s classic romantic war drama From Here To Eternity collected a total of eight Oscars, including Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Frank Sinatra.
Set in 1941 Hawaii, the plot traces Private Prewitt (Montgomery Clift), who gets in trouble with his cruel Captain Dana Holmes (Philip Ober) when refusing to use his boxing background to fight for the U.S. squad. Facing severe punishment, Prewitt ends up falling in love with Lorene (Donna Reed), a social-club worker on the island. Meanwhile, Sgt. Warden (Burt Lancaster) continues his affair with Holmes’ wife, Karen (Deborah Kerr).
Marty (1955) – 7.7
Marty was not only named Best Picture of 1955, but it also earned director Delbert Mann, writer Paddy Chayefsky, and Leading Actor Ernest Borgnine golden statuettes as well.
Mary (Borgnine) is an unassuming butcher saddled by severe self-esteem and body-image issues. Convinced he’ll never find a woman to truly love and marry him, the 34-year-old writes off love as something more attractive people find. However, Marty’s luck changes when he meets Clara (Betsy Blair), a timid schoolteacher at a ballroom dance suggested by his mother.
On The Waterfront (1954) – 8.1
Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront was not just a contender, it was the official top dog of 1954 after culling a total of eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
It was here that Marlon Brando won an Oscar as well for playing Terry Malloy, a former pugilist turned stevedore who witnesses a murder perpetrated by two of his union boss’ henchmen. Feeling guilty by association, Terry befriends the murdered man’s wife Edie Doyle (Eva Marie Saint) while struggling to confront his boss and his corrupt brother Charley (Rod Steiger).
The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957) – 8.1
David Lean’s epic war drama The Bridge on the River Kwai is widely hailed as one of the best movies ever made. In addition to winning seven Oscars, the film currently ranks #173 on IMDB’s Top 250.
Based on the Pierre Boulle novel, the story follows a squadron of British soldiers held as prisoners of war by Japanese forces. When the captors force the Brits to build a bridge over the Kwai River, they have no idea that the Allied Forces plan to bomb the bridge once it’s completed.
Ben-Hur (1959) – 8.1
William Wyler’s epic historical drama Ben-Hur was the first film to win 11 Oscar Awards, a distinction that stood for four decades until the feat was tied by Titanic in 1997 and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King in 2003.
Ben-Hur takes place in the first century and follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), an affluent Jewish prince living in Jerusalem. When an accidental roof collapse injures the governor, Ben-Hur is conscripted for harsh punishment. With his mother and sister imprisoned, Ben-Hur exacts revenge on the governor with his old friend Messala (Stephen Boyd).
All About Eve (1950) – 8.2
According to IMDB, the highest-rated Best Picture winner of the 1950s belongs to All About Eve, the classic drama starring Betty Davis and Anne Baxter. The film won six Oscar in total and currently ranks #140 on IMDB’s Top 250.
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (who also won Best Director), the story follows conniving social climber Eve (Baxter) who feigns humility to meet her idol, Margo Channing (Davis). Once she ingratiates herself, Eve slowly begins to overtake Margo’s role as the leading theater actress. Theater critic Addison (George Sanders) sees through Eve’s ruse, leading to a wild confrontation in the end.
