10. 'The Hurt Locker' (2009)

Oscars' 10 Worst Best Pictures

For the first time since 1943, 10 films were nominated for Best Picture. Many predicted this would cheapen the category by letting in films that didn't deserve the award.

However, the opposite proved true, with a field that included "The Blind Side," "Avatar," "Precious" and "Up In the Air."

While "The Hurt Locker" was a good film, and a triumphant depiction of an EOD team, the movie got an extra Oscar push from overall wartime sympathies and Academy love for director Kathryn Bigelow.

In my opinion, the Coen brothers' "A Serious Man" and Disney-Pixar's "Up" were the better of that year's nominated films. If any animated film were to win Best Picture, it should have been "Up." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Summit)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

More from this Slideshow

0 of 0

And the Oscar Sh... Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (a.k.a "the Oscars") honors the very best in film.
But I, XFINITY.com Entertainment Editor David Onda, believe sometimes the very best film isn't the one that takes home the coveted Best Picture award.
Here are 10 (admittedly good) films that shouldn't have won the Best Picture Oscar — and the movies that should have won instead. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos: Miramax, Universal, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
10. 'The Hurt Lo... For the first time since 1943, 10 films were nominated for Best Picture. Many predicted this would cheapen the category by letting in films that didn't deserve the award.
However, the opposite proved true, with a field that included "The Blind Side," "Avatar," "Precious" and "Up In the Air."
While "The Hurt Locker" was a good film, and a triumphant depiction of an EOD team, the movie got an extra Oscar push from overall wartime sympathies and Academy love for director Kathryn Bigelow.
In my opinion, the Coen brothers' "A Serious Man" and Disney-Pixar's "Up" were the better of that year's nominated films. If any animated film were to win Best Picture, it should have been "Up." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Summit)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
9. 'Crash' (2005... "Crash" was a solid — often heartbreaking — drama and an overall good movie. But in the scheme of things, it's forgettable, and any reputable historian won't be citing its cultural influence.
Without a doubt, this year's Best Picture Oscar should have gone to "Brokeback Mountain." Ang Lee won for directing the film, while Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams and Jake Gyllenhaal were all nominated for acting. How this movie didn't win is a true mystery. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Lionsgate)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
8. 'Chicago' (20... As far as movie musicals go, "Chicago" was a pretty good one. But was it the best picture of 2002? No.
"The Pianist" earned Adrien Brody a Best Actor award for his role as a Polish-Jewish pianist trapped in Europe during the outbreak of World War II. Embattled director Roman Polanski even took home the Best Director trophy, but somehow the big award eluded the film.
Now there's a crime for Billy Flynn. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Miramax)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
7. 'Shakespeare ... "Shakespeare" made Gwyneth Paltrow the A-lister she is today, but would you believe this period rom-com beat out "Saving Private Ryan," one of the greatest war movies of all time?
"Ryan" was undoubtedly the better film and earned Steven Spielberg his second Oscar for directing. Wherefore art thou justice? —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Universal)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
6. 'The English ... How does a two-and-a-half hour movie that is famous for being boring take home the Best Picture Oscar? Good question.
A better question is how the film beat out "Fargo" for the year's top spot. Obviously I'm a Coen brothers fan, but I can't imagine anyone would prefer two hours of desert stories over the performances of Frances McDormand and William H. Macy. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Miramax)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
5. 'Dances with ... I love "Dance with Wolves." I really do. I even have the uncut 10-hour version on DVD. But 1990's "Goodfellas" was the film that should have gotten Martin Scorsese his Oscar.
After getting snubbed for "Taxi Driver" and losing for "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas" was the Oscar he and his film deserved.
I may love "Dances," but it's certainly not a movie I could watch every day. "Goodfellas" has epic replay value. Now that is a Best Picture. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: MGM)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
4. 'Out of Afric... I suppose this is one of the more subjective of my 10 choices. It's a fine film and worthy of an Oscar nomination, but two other films from 1985 are more worthy.
First, "The Color Purple," because of a brilliant ensemble cast, excellent directing by Steven Spielberg and an emotionally charged story.
And second, "Witness," because it was filmed in my hometown of Lancaster, PA. And that's it. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Universal)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
3. 'Rocky' (1976... 1976 was a year of stiff competition for the Best Picture Oscar and nearly every other nominated film was more worthy of the honor than the one about a marble-mouthed boxer.
In my opinion (as I stated earlier), the Oscar should have gone to Scorsese's "Taxi Driver," although Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway's "Network" was a great picture and "All the President's Men" is a classic thriller. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: MGM)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
2. 'The Best Yea... "Best Years" took home the Best Picture award primarily because, like "The Hurt Locker," it tapped into current social issues, namely those surrounding life in the aftermath of World War II.
But history has shown us that Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" is not only a timeless NBC holiday special, but a cinematic achievement of story-telling, acting (Jimmy Stewart!) and directing. A true Best Picture. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: MGM)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
1. 'How Green Wa... "Citizen Kane" is routinely called the greatest film of all time. In fact, it was listed at number one on two separate American Film Institute Top 100 lists and Roger Ebert has echoed that praise.
However, at the 14th Academy Awards, "Citizen Kane" was beaten for Best Picture by "How Green Was My Valley." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Fox)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Celebrity Career... Which stars made epic renovations to their floundering careers? Find out here.