Every Best Picture Oscar Movie Winner Of 21st Century Ranked Worst To Best

15. Chicago (2002)

What should have won: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

The kind of exuberant, wild feast for the senses that works simply because it works, Chicago is monster entertainment even two decades after its release. So messy but dazzling, you can't help but hold on tight throughout Chicago's booming shenanigans.

Following two murderers (Renee Zellweger and an Oscar-winning Catherine Zeta-Jones) battling each other for the security of fame, Rob Marshall's bold adaptation of Bob Fosse's iconic musical is an extravagant, sexy, and surprisingly affecting tale of deceit, greed, and yes, the power of big songs and colourful storytelling. 

From the wonderful work of co-stars John C. Reilly and Queen Latifah, to its deliriously crowd-pleasing final act, Marshall’s vision is a tough one to dislike, and a rare musical to seek out if musicals aren’t entirely your thing.

It's not without its flaws - the plot is too cluttered for its own good, and Richard Gere is painfully overshadowed - but Chicago is so damn fun and engaging that whatever scruples you may have will quickly fall by the wayside. Sit back and enjoy the ride.