Number One Movie on Your Birthday

Ever wonder what the number one movie was on your birthday or the year you were born?

Well, you’re in luck.

Thanks to the folks at Stacker.com, I’ve been able to put together this roundup of Oscar-winning movies from the past almost 60 years.

True, just because a film won an Oscar doesn’t always mean it was the number one movie at the box office.

However, chances are it was pretty popular during the year you were born.

So, it can answer the question, “What was the number one movie on my birthday?”–or birth year.

Number one movie on your birthday

The list of number one movies kicks off in 1963.

Again, these are the Oscar winners from the year you were born.

Also, please be aware that the date listed for each entry is the year the film was released

That means, the Academy Award didn’t give the movie the Best Picture Oscar until the following year (or in some early instances, the year after that).

Why write this article about number one movies on your birthday?

Because I know my readers like the topic of birthdays–from birthday freebies to stores with birthday discounts.

Now onto the list of the movies from your birth year.

Robert Wise Productions

1963: Tom Jones

Woodfall Film Productions

Albert Finney, above with co-star Diane Cilento, plays Tom Jones in the 1963 movie of the same name.

The movie is based on the Henry Fielding novel, also of the same name.

It’s about an irrepressible adventurer who’s no slouch with the ladies.

1964: My Fair Lady

Warner Bros.

The musical movie from 1964, “My Fair Lady” is about a conceited professor who bets he can transform a lowly flower girl into a member of high society.

It’s based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play Pygmalion.

Actress Audrey Hepburn brings the iconic character Eliza Doolittle to life.

She stars opposite Rex Harrison as that aforementioned professor, Henry Higgins.

Finally, if you were born in 1964, then you might be interested to know that not only was this movie the Oscar winner that year but so was Harrison for best actor.

1965: The Sound of Music

Robert Wise Productions

Perhaps I have a soft spot for the 1965 Oscar winner “The Sound of Music” because it’s the year of my birth.

Did you know that actress Julie Andrews won an Oscar for her performance the year before in the movie “Mary Poppins?”

The next year, she’s back on the screen in “The Sound of Music” as Maria, a former nun left in charge of seven unruly children.

I will never say, “So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye” to loving this number one film from my birthday year.

1966: A Man for All Seasons

Highland Films

“A Man for All Seasons” revolves around the story of Thomas More, a Catholic lawyer who refuses to acknowledge the divorce of King Henry VIII.

This is one among just four productions to win both Best Play at the Tonys and Best Picture at the Oscars.

1967: In the Heat of the Night

Mirisch Corporation

A dedicated African-American detective squares off against racist locals while investigating a murder in 1967’s “In the Heat of the Night.”

Not only was this an Oscar winner, but also Rod Steiger, who starred opposite Sidney Poitier, won the Oscar for Best Actor.

1968: Oliver!

Romulus Films

– Director: Carol Reed
– IMDb user rating: 7.4
– Metascore: 74
– Runtime: 153 minutes

Another film I loved as a child.

I wanted to be besties with child actor Mark Lester, shown here.

“Oliver!” is based on “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens.

1969: Midnight Cowboy

Jerome Hellman Productions

If you were born in 1969, then you might be surprised to learn that the Oscar-winning movie from that year, “Midnight Cowboy,” starring Jon Voigt and Dustin Hoffman, was rated X at the time.

However, in 1971, the rating for “Midnight Cowboy” changed to “R,” even though nothing in the movie changed.

1970: Patton

Twentieth Century Fox

Francis Ford Coppola wrote 1970’s best picture movie “Patton,” about a famous military general during WWII.

In addition to Best Picture, the film also garnered a Best Actor win for lead actor George C. Scott, shown above with co-star Karl Malden.

1971: The French Connection

Philip D’Antoni Productions

You know the phrase, “Cut to the chase”?

Well, some believe that the 1971 Oscar winner “The French Connection” coined that phrase.

Why?

Because this movie, starring Gene Hackman, shown above, includes an extended car chase sequence.

In fact, that car chase earned the film’s editor an Oscar in their own right.

1972: The Godfather

Paramount Pictures

Adapted from the novel by Mario Puzo (who also co-wrote the screenplay), Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972’s “The Godfather” is an exploration of the Corleone crime family.

Some might argue that this Oscar winning Best Picture remains as vital today as it was upon its debut.

1973: The Sting

Zanuck/Brown Productions

In 1973’s “The Sting,” a con man enlists the help of a fellow hustler to get revenge on a crime boss who killed his friend.

It starred Paul Newman and Robert Redford shown here.

1974: The Godfather: Part II

Paramount Pictures

“The Godfather: Part II” is the rare sequel that was so good that it earned an Academy Award for Best Picture.

1975: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Fantasy Films

The number one, highest grossing movie of 1975 was “Jaws.”

However, it was Miloš Forman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” that took home all that Oscar gold.

That included Best Actor for Jack Nicholson in the lead role, Best Actress for Louise Fletcher, plus Best Director for Miloš Forman and Best Screenplay as well.

The only other movie from the last 60 years to achieve such a feat was 1991’s “Silence of the Lambs.”

1976: Rocky

Chartoff-Winkler Productions

Who wouldn’t want to be born the year “Rocky” won Best Picture at the Oscars?

Written by and starring a then-unknown Sylvester Stallone, the inspirational film tells the story of a struggling boxer who gets his shot at a major fight.

Also, we never looked at the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art the same again.

1977: Annie Hall

Jack Rollins & Charles H. Joffe Productions

Woody Allen was already a popular comedian and filmmaker by the time he made “Annie Hall.”

However, this Best Picture film elevated his name and his craft.

1978: The Deer Hunter

EMI Fims

“The Deer Hunter” was the first Best Picture winner to center on the Vietnam War.

1979: Kramer vs. Kramer

Columbia Pictures

Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep play divorced parents fighting over custody of their son in 1979’s “Kramer vs. Kramer.”

Not only did this movie get Best Picture at the Academy Awards but also Hoffman got the Best Actor Oscar.

But, get this: Meryl Streep won the award for Best Supporting Actress.

Supporting Actress? These days she’s nobody’s supporting actress.

1980: Ordinary People

Paramount Pictures

This was Robert Redford’s directorial debut.

Two of the stars of “Ordinary People,” shown above, are Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton.

1981: Chariots of Fire

Twentieth Century Fox

“Chariots of Fire” may have won Best Picture at the Oscar.

However, what you may remember most about this movie, if this was the year you were born, is the instrumental Best Original Music Score by Vangelis.

1982: Gandhi

International Film Investors

I’m going to make you feel old, if you were born in 1982, with this confession:

My high school friend and I did not get asked to the senior prom.

So, we went to see the Oscar winner “Gandhi” instead.

It may have been the Best Picture, but it’s not a great memory for me.

Speaking of prom, here are tips to keep prom spending in check.

1983: Terms of Endearment

Paramount Pictures

If you need a good laugh and a good cry, then “Terms of Endearment” is for you.

Shirley MacLaine, pictured above, with co-stars Debra Winter and Jack Nicholson, won Best Actress for her role in this movie.

1984: Amadeus

AMLF

Miloš Forman’s “Amadeus” won Best Picture at the Oscars.

So did F. Murray Abraham, who played Amadeus’ rival, Antonio Salieri.

1985: Out of Africa

Mirage Enterprises

1985’s “Out of Africa” Best Picture starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

1986: Platoon

Hemdale

Filmmaker Oliver Stone infuses a harrowing personal experience with plenty of artistic license in 1986’s Best Picture winner “Platoon,” which was set in Vietnam.

The “Platoon” soundtrack is pretty incredible, too.

1987: The Last Emperor

Recorded Picture Company (RPC)

Directed by Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci, “The Last Emperor” chronicles the rise and fall of Pu-Yi, China’s last official emperor (hence the title).

1988: Rain Man

United Artists

Our family still quotes this Best Movie for 1987.

Yes, we’re excellent drivers.

In addition to winning the Best Picture Oscar, Dustin Hoffman won the Best Actor Oscar for playing autistic savant Raymond Babbitt.

Tom Cruise plays his brother.

1989: Driving Miss Daisy

Zanuck Company

At age 81, Jessica Tandy became the oldest woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for 1989’s “Driving Miss Daisy.”

Obviously, it was also the Best Movie or it wouldn’t have appeared in this list of number one movies the year you were born.

1990: Dances with Wolves

Tig Productions

Kevin Costner’s “Dances with Wolves” beat out Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” for the Best Picture nod in 1990.

1991: The Silence of the Lambs

Strong Heart/Demme Production

“The Silence of the Lambs” is both one of my favorite movies and a favorite book, by Thomas Harris.

This Oscar winning Best Picture for 1991 introduced the world to Dr. Hannibal Lecter, one of the most iconic villains in movie history.

Anthony Hopkins played him and won a Best Actor Oscar for it.

Jodie Foster played opposite him as FBI trainee Clarice Starling.

She, too, won an Oscar for her acting.

Fun fact: much of “Silence of the Lambs” was filmed in Pittsburgh.

1992: Unforgiven

Warner Bros.

Clint Eastwood not only plays the lead in 1992’s “Unforgiven” but also directed this Best Picture winner and wrote the main theme music.

1993: Schindler’s List

Universal Pictures

I was visiting Krakow, Poland, at the same time that Steven Spielberg was filming this Best Picture Oscar winner “Schindler’s List” there.

It was a big deal.

So was this movie, which was Spielberg’s first foray into “serious” filmmaking.

1994: Forrest Gump

Paramount Pictures

Did you know that Tom Hanks won back-to-back Best Actor Oscars in 1993 and 1994?

In 1993 it was for “Philadelphia” and then, in 1994, for “Forrest Gump,” which was also the Best Picture winner.

1995: Braveheart

Icon Entertainment International

“Braveheart,” the Best Picture winner for 1995, is about a Scottish rebel who leads an uprising against British rule.

I was busy in 1995; my first daughter was born that year.

1996: The English Patient

Miramax

I remember going to see the 1996 movie “The English Patient” with my book club, after we’d read the book by the same name.

It may have won the Best Picture Oscar.

However, I did not like either the book or the movie.

It happens.

1997: Titanic

Twentieth Century Fox

There is no doubt that James Cameron’s “Titanic” was the most popular movie in 1997, the year my younger daughter was born.

Young girls everywhere were swooning over Leonardo DiCaprio.

“Titanic” was also the Best Picture Oscar winner.

1998: Shakespeare in Love

Universal Pictures

Famous playwright William Shakespeare is short on cash and out of ideas until he meets the lovely Viola, Gwyneth Paltrow’s character, who becomes the inspiration behind “Romeo and Juliet” in 1998’s Best Picture winner “Shakespeare in Love.”

Also, Paltrow won the Best Actress Oscar for her part, too.

1999: American Beauty

DreamWorks

“American Beauty,” the 1999 Best Oscar Winner, explores the dark side of suburbia.

2000: Gladiator

DreamWorks

Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” was the 2000 Best Picture Academy Award winner.

It also garnered actor Russell Crowe his first Oscar as Best Actor.

In addition, Crowe’s character in “Gladiator” launched a million memes with the line “Are you not entertained.”

2001: A Beautiful Mind

Universal Pictures

Ron Howard directed “A Beautiful Mind,” which was the Best Picture winner for 2000.

2002: Chicago

Miramax

Who could have predicted that a big Hollywood musical movie would be the most popular movie of 2002.

Well, it was and “Chicago” won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

New Line Cinema

The final installment of Peter Jackson’s Lord of Rings trilogy, 2003’s “The Return of the King” was a blockbuster movie and an indisputable smash hit in every sense.

In fact, it swept all 11 Oscars for which it was nominated, including Best Picture.

2004: Million Dollar Baby

Warner Bros.

Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” is one of only two boxing movies to win Best Picture.

The other was “Rocky” from 1976.

Finally, Hilary Swank earned a Best Actress Oscar for her role in this movie.

2005: Crash

Bob Yari Productions

The intersecting lives of various races and ethnicities in Los Angeles lay the groundwork for Paul Haggis’ “Crash,” the Best Picture Oscar winner that year.

2006: The Departed

Warner Bros.

Believe it or not, the 2006 movie “The Departed” is Martin Scorsese’s only Best Picture win to date.

2007: No Country for Old Men

Paramount Vantage

Leave it to the Coen brothers (Ethan and Joel) to do award-winning justice to Cormac McCarthy’s novel “No Country for Old Men” with this Best Picture winner.

The story is about a man who chances upon a suitcase full of drug money and then finds himself in the crosshairs of a psychopathic killer.

2008: Slumdog Millionaire

Warner Bros.

To prove he didn’t cheat on India’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?,” a Mumbai boy explains his harrowing story of survival in Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire.”

This Best Picture winner was the first movie shot primarily on digital versus traditional film.

2009: The Hurt Locker

Voltage Pictures

Kathryn Bigelow’s Best Picture winner “The Hurt Locker” follows a fearless bomb squad maverick as he dismantles explosives during the Iraq War.

2010: The King’s Speech

See-Saw Films

“The King’s Speech” follows the story of King George VI—who had to overcome a speech impediment before properly ascending to the throne.

It was the 2010 Best Picture winner.

Colin Firth, who plays the lead role, won the Best Actor Oscar, too.

2011: The Artist

Studio 37

The Best Picture winner in 2012 was “The Artist,” a black-and-white silent movie.

Jean Dujardin, a French actor and comedian, earned the Oscar for Best Actor.

2012: Argo

Warner Bros.

A group of CIA agents take the guise of a Hollywood production team to rescue American hostages in 2012’s Best Picture winner “Argo.”

2013: 12 Years a Slave

Regency Enterprises

From director Steve McQueen came “12 Years a Slave,” about a free man in the North who’s abducted and sold into southern slavery during the 1800s.

2014: Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

New Regency Pictures

Michael Keaton plays a down-on-his-luck actor looking to revitalize his career in 2014’s “Birdman.”

It’s the first Best Picture winner to be shot entirely in digital.

Also, it’s a really awesome movie.

2015: Spotlight

Participant Media

Investigative journalism, based on a true story, commonly makes for high brow Hollywood fare, but rarely takes home Best Picture at the Oscars.

That all changed with 2015’s “Spotlight.”

It’s about a real-life group of Boston Globe reporters who expose a widespread scandal within the local Catholic Archdiocese.

2016: Moonlight

A24

As the Best Picture winner for 2016, “Moonlight” is notable for a few reasons.

One, it cemented the career for actor Mahershala Ali, who won Best Supporting Actor.

And, two, Oscar presenters mistakenly read “La La Land” as the winner before saying that “Moonlight” had actually won.

2017: The Shape of Water

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Besides taking home Best Picture Honors, “The Shape of Water” was awarded for Production Design, Original Score, and Director.

2018: Green Book

DreamWorks

The “Green Book” is named after a guidebook for African-American travelers during the Jim Crow era.

Not only did it take the Best Picture Oscar, but also Mahershala Ali earned a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award.

2019: Parasite

CJ Entertainment

“Parasite,” from South Korea, is the first non-English language film to win for Best Picture.

2020: Nomadland

Cor Cordium Productions

Here is the “Nomadland” trifecta.

One, Chloé Zhao is the first woman of color to win Best Director.

Two, Frances McDormand won her third Best Actress Oscar.

And, three, it won Best Picture for 2020.

2021: CODA