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

14. Gladiator (2000)

What should have won: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Under a less ambitious director, there's a good chance Gladiator would have been yet another forgettable summer blockbuster calling back to a bygone era of reluctant heroes fighting the good fight, but under the watchful eye of Ridley Scott, this is one sword-and-sandal epic that soars on almost every level. 

What it lacks in narrative daring, Gladiator more than makes up for with thrilling action and a career-defining Russell Crowe, who turns in a towering performance as mourning, vengeful warrior Maximus Meridius. Exciting, yes, but Scott and Crowe also inject their vision with real heart and soul, crafting an underdog story that still grips to this day. 

Add to its crowd-pleasing energy a cold and calculating turn from Joaquin Phoenix, and what you have with Gladiator is a throwback blockbuster that overshadows its predictability and flaws (the odd production goofs and simple script) with bloody thrills and scintillating ambition, the likes of which only Scott could conjure so well. 

Are you not entertained?! You bet we are.