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

Should have won!

By the time Martin Scorsese finally scooped a Best Picture (and Best Director) win for The Departed, he should easily have had four or five trophies under his belt. But even so, accepting this ridiculous Oscar error, The Departed was a worthy winner for the maestro after years of bad luck at the Academy. 

The thrill-ride tale of two moles on either side of the law (Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon) who face double-crosses, moral decay, gunfights, conspiracy, and murder alongside a host of compelling co-stars (including Jack Nicholson in his last great performance and a scene-stealing Mark Wahlberg), The Departed is vintage Scorsese effortlessly made. 

Over nearly three hours, Scorsese crafts a story so rife with bolts from the blue, complex supporting characters, and ambiguity, it's honestly a wonder he never loses his way. The legendary filmmaker juggles everything with consummate skill, right until its messy but thrilling final act.

The Departed isn't Scorsese's best (or even one of his ten best), but a deserving Best Picture winner it remains. This is the thriller all modern thrillers want to be.