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

8. 12 Years A Slave (2013)

It might seem distasteful to call Steve McQueen's searing period drama the "definitive" cinematic statement on slavery, but it's hard to imagine a film on the subject being anymore infuriatingly visceral without putting audiences off altogether.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong'o lead a mesmerising ensemble cast in this near-excruciating exercise in McQueen chastising the viewer, but as an historical document, it is among the finest ever made.

The film does get some flak for some of its slower moments - a McQueen staple - and Brad Pitt's questionable and distracting cameo, but these are minor quibbles in a mostly excellent yet deeply upsetting film.