6 Best Oscar Best Picture Winners of the 1970s

By Vlad Zakh · June 15, 2026

The Academy Award for Best Picture in the 1970s crowned a bold, transformative decade that redefined American cinema. In The Sting (1973): Two con artists team up to pull off an elaborate revenge scheme against a ruthless crime boss. Worth seeking out is Patton (1970): A brilliant but controversial general’s relentless drive to victory clashes with his volatile temperament during World War II.

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A father fights for custody of his young son after his wife unexpectedly leaves them both.

Directed by Robert Benton · 1h 45m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Deer Hunter (1978)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 86% Metacritic 90

Three lifelong friends from a steel town are forever changed by their harrowing experiences in the Vietnam War.

Directed by Michael Cimino · 3h 03m · Rated R

Won 5 Oscars24 wins & 27 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Annie Hall (1977)

TMDB ★ 7.9

A neurotic comedian looks back on the rise and fall of his relationship with an eccentric aspiring singer.

Directed by Woody Allen · 1h 33m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Rocky (1976)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 93% Metacritic 70

A small-time boxer gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the heavyweight title against the reigning champion.

Directed by John G. Avildsen · 2h 00m · Rated PG

Won 3 Oscars23 wins & 23 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Sting (1973)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 93% Metacritic 83

Two con artists team up to pull off an elaborate revenge scheme against a ruthless crime boss.

Directed by George Roy Hill · 2h 09m · Rated PG

Won 7 Oscars18 wins & 6 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Patton (1970)

TMDB ★ 7.9

A brilliant but controversial general's relentless drive to victory clashes with his volatile temperament during World War II.

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner · 2h 52m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Philo · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Oscar Best Picture Winners of the 1970s

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

The Deer Hunter (1978)

Annie Hall (1977)

Rocky (1976)

The Sting (1973)

Patton (1970)

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