Every Best Picture Oscar Winner Ranked Worst To Best
36. West Side Story (1961)
Recently given a more complete and modern spin by Steven Spielberg, the original West Side Story feels dated in parts, but it's so spritely and fun its eventual tragedy continues to haunt over sixty years later.
Based on Stephen Sondheim's seminal musical of the same name, the romance takes the core concept of Romeo & Juliet and turns it into a dark fable about gang warfare in New York City, barrelling to an inevitable but harrowing finale.
Equally cheesy and sweet, violent and exciting, West Side Story is timeless in its execution and striking assessments of innocence lost and prejudice. It's tough to deny its power, even if Spielberg found a way to improve it.