Totally Tubular Trophies: How to Stream Every Best Picture Winner of the 1980s

The 98th Academy Awards are set to air on March 15, and in the lead up to the big night millions of movie fans have been hotly debating whether the Oscar for Best Picture should go to “Sinners”, “One Battle After Another” or another one of the nominees. Oscars history is full of surprises, upsets, and disappointments, and we took a deep dive in our cinematic time machine to reexamine previous Best Picture winners. See our rundown below on how to watch all of the Best Picture winners of the 1980s.

“Ordinary People” (1980)

As the title suggests, “Ordinary People” focuses on an average family in an average, upper-middle-class suburb in Chicago, but their bond fractures in the wake of the death of the oldest son and the attempted suicide of a younger son wracked with guilt. Directed by Robert Redford, “Ordinary People” stands out for its subtlety, sensitivity, and fearlessness, providing a remarkable examination of familial grief and trauma.

Where to watch “Ordinary People”

At the time of writing, you can stream “Ordinary People” on Fubo TV or MGM+. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

“Chariots of Fire” (1981)

These days, “Chariots of Fire” is remembered perhaps more for its synthesizer-driven soundtrack (courtesy of Greek composer Vangelis) than for its empowering story. But it’s still worth a watch because it provides a beautiful portrayal of athleticism at its most authentic—a nice counterpoint to the sports we see today that have become dominated by money and data. It centers around two competitive sprinters from the UK who come face to face in the 1924 Olympics, each of them fueled by their own spiritual and political motivations.

Where to watch “Chariots of Fire”

You can stream “Chariots of Fire” on YouTube Movies & TV. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

“Gandhi” (1982)

Y’all know about Mahatma Gandhi, right? There’s the Indian political leader, of course, who brought British rule in India to its knees and inspired Martin Luther King, Jr., with his program of nonviolent civil disobedience. And then there’s Richard Attenborough’s 3-hour-plus biopic about Gandhi, in which the man is played brilliantly by Ben Kingsley, the famed British actor whose father was from India. At a time of global strife such as now, it’s cathartic to watch this adaptation of anti-colonial resistance, especially the excruciating scene that recreates the historic Salt March of 1930.

Where to watch “Gandhi”

You’re able to stream “Gandhi” on Prime Video with a 7-day free trial of Sony Pictures Core. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

“Terms of Endearment” (1983)

Like “Ordinary People” of a few years earlier, “Terms of Endearment” is another powerful family drama full of big feelings and strained relationships. Directed by James L. Brooks, it focuses on two women—a mom (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter (Debra Winger)—the men in their lives, and the families they build over 30 years. Featuring a womanizing college professor named Flap (Jeff Daniels) and a lusty ex-astronaut (Jack Nicholson), this movie has a whole lot of comedy and heart.

Where to watch “Terms of Endearment”

You can stream “Terms of Endearment” on Kanopy or Hoopla—just know that a library card is required for these two platforms. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

“Amadeus” (1984)

Classical music may seem like a stuffy genre, but then you watch this movie about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and realize that even canonical composers could be as ridiculous as today’s biggest rock stars. Miloš Forman’s epic 18th-century tale is full of bawdy scenes and ridiculous antics, making it incredibly entertaining in the most delightful way. At the heart of it all is the tension between a young prodigy’s ostentatious genius and the bitter envy of his biggest musical rival—a composer whose name you learn in the film (and will likely promptly forget afterwards).

Where to watch “Amadeus”

It doesn’t look like “Amadeus” is available to stream on any platforms at the moment. But you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

“Out of Africa” (1985)

This is a romance about two white people in Africa, which, c’mon, that’s pretty bad, right? At least the two white people are played by legendary actors Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. And “Out of Africa” also is famed for its cinematography, which was captured on location in Kenya and offers stunning views of the Maasai Mara and other eye-catching landscapes.

Where to watch “Out of Africa”

Starting March 1, you can stream “Out of Africa” on Prime Video. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Apple TV.

“Platoon” (1986)

For a director who has made multiple anti-war movies that stand the test of time, “Platoon” may just be Oliver Stone’s finest. Featuring a stacked cast—including Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, Forest Whitaker, and Johnny Depp—”Platoon” draws on Stone’s own experiences in the Vietnam War to tell a gritty tale of one Army volunteer’s bitter disillusionment in the jungle. This was an ugly and pointless conflict, and here you get to see exactly how that played out for one band of troops.

Where to watch “Platoon”

Strap up and stream “Platoon” on The Roku Channel, Kanopy or Hoopla. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

“The Last Emperor” (1987)

The Best Picture category goes big on historical epics, and “The Last Emperor” may very well be the most epic of all the best picture winners of the 1980s. It chronicles the life of Puyi, who assumed the throne of China’s imperial Qing Dynasty as a toddler in 1908 and four decades later was ousted and imprisoned by the Red Army after China became a People’s Republic. “The Last Emperor” was filmed on location in Beijing’s Forbidden City, and its awesome sweep and historical authenticity lends to an alluring gravitas.

Where to watch “The Last Emperor”

You can stream “The Last Emperor” on HBO Max or Prime Video with a Cinemax 7-day free trial. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

“Rain Man” (1988)

A lot of thoughtfulness and study has gone into depictions of autism and other forms of neurodivergence in the nearly 40 years since “Rain Man” came out, and Dustin Hoffman’s take on Raymond Babbitt as a mental-calculating savant helped solidify a now-outdated cliché and should by no means be taken as gospel. But this is still a powerful depiction of mental health struggles and all the patience and growth that comes with it, and Hoffman’s chemistry with Tom Cruise, who plays his estranged brother, is undeniable.

Where to watch “Rain Man”

At the time of writing, you can stream “Rain Man” on Prime Video starting March 1. You can also stream it on YouTube TV, The Roku Channel, Kanopy or Hoopla. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

“Driving Miss Daisy” (1989)

Out of all the ’80s Best Picture winners, this one is definitely the most cringe and hasn’t aged particularly well. A comedy that pairs a privileged white woman with her black chauffeur, it’s built around a bunch of genteel clichés about race and acceptance that don’t really hold up in the face of all the great movies that have come since, let alone the brutal reality of actual American racism. But who knows, could still be worth a watch.

Where to watch “Driving Miss Daisy”

Buckle up and stream “Driving Miss Daisy” on Watch TCM, Plex, Kanopy or Hoopla. Alternatively, you can rent it from video-on-demand (VOD) outlets like Prime Video or Apple TV.

FAQs about Best Picture winners of the 1980s