C
Cine Files

What Should've Won the Oscar: 1996

This was the 69th Academy Awards… 

The Winner

The English Patient

The Nominations

Fargo

Jerry Maguire

Secrets & Lies

Shine

Other Movies from 1996

The People vs. Larry Flynt

Hamlet

Trainspotting

When We Were Kings

Michael Collins

Sleepers

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Independence Day

The Rock

Twister

The Birdcage

Romeo + Juliet

Star Trek: First Contact

My Two Cents

Although I have a soft spot in my heart for The Birdcage, I think there is a clear Best Picture in this selection and it is not The English Patient. Without a doubt in my mind, Fargo should've won Best Picture.

Your Pick

Let me know in the comments what movie you would have picked for Best Picture of 1996 and don't forget to tell me why!

Mentioned in this piece

The English Patient1996Fargo1996Jerry Maguire1996Secrets & Lies1996Shine1996The People vs. Larry Flynt1996Hamlet1996Trainspotting1996When We Were Kings1996Michael Collins1996Sleepers1996The Hunchback of Notre Dame1996Independence Day1996The Rock1996Twister1996The Birdcage1996Romeo + Juliet1996Star Trek: First Contact1996

Comments 3

H
Hailing Frequencies OpenFebruary 19, 2026
First Contact got robbed! Easily the best Star Trek movie with the Next Generation cast.
B
Bob WoolseyFebruary 19, 2026
Fargo for sure. Although The English Patient was worth it for the Seinfeld episode.
J
Jenn The EditorFebruary 19, 2026
kind of a lame and random year for movies. seems like they were making space for someone incredible to be born