6 Best Oscar Best Picture Winners of the 1970s

By Vlad Zakh · June 15, 2026

The 1970s Best Picture winners redefined American cinema. Kramer vs. Kramer has a father fighting for custody, The Deer Hunter follows steel-town friends changed by Vietnam, Annie Hall looks back on a neurotic comedian’s relationship, and Rocky gives a small-time boxer his shot. The Sting and Patton round out the six.

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A father fights for custody of his young son after his wife unexpectedly leaves the family.

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 friends from a Pennsylvania steel town are forever changed by their 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 struggling small-time boxer is given a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the heavyweight title.

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 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, egomaniacal general's Second World War career is shaped as much by his flaws as his tactical genius.

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. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're 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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