Oscars: Every Best Picture Winner Ever Ranked From Worst To Best

42. Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben Hur Charlton Heston
MGM

Somewhat facetiously referred to as "the first blockbuster", William Wyler's remake of the 1925 silent film Ben-Hur is a Herculean feat of an historical epic that makes most contemporary action flicks seem lazy and low-effort by comparison.

The biggest production in film history at the time of its release, the end result lived up to the gargantuan hype, winning 11 of its 12 Oscar nominations, a number that's only been matched by two films since (Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King).

Its overall greatness is definitely blunted by its loony 212-minute length, but the eye-popping chariot race sequence remains more visceral than most set-pieces executed today - in large part due to a more cavalier attitude towards animal and human safety, admittedly - and how can you argue with all the grit Charlton Heston brings to the title role?

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.