There’s something charming about theAcademy Awards, and there’s no denying that an Oscar win solidifies someone’s place in history. It may not guarantee glory or success to come, but it’s a snapshot of a moment in time that lives forever. So, in the spirit of enjoying the Oscars for what they are, we’ve decided togo back and revisit all the Best Actor Oscar-winning performances of the 21st century so farand consider each performance on its own merits.
Which winners were deserved? Which were mistakes? Which performances have stood the test of time, and which have faded from memory? This trip into the past is hopefully a fun way to consider what the Oscars actually mean and to recall and celebrate some truly brilliant performances from the past two decades. Without further ado, here’s every Best Actor Oscar winner of the 21st century ranked from worst to best — including whoshouldhave won each year.
25Rami Malek – ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018)
Who Should Have Won: Bradley Cooper in ‘A Star Is Born’
Rami Malek’s turn asFreddie MercuryinBohemian Rhapsodyis not a bad performance, but is it the stuff Oscars are made of? It depends on who you ask. This is the quintessential “showy” performance that can so often lead to Oscar glory – fake teeth, wigs, audio mixed with Freddie Mercury’s actual singing voice. But underneath all the glitz and glamor,is there really that much substance there?Bohemian Rhapsodyhas its moments, almost exclusively made by Malek and his performance, but on the whole,Bryan Singer’s biopic is a sanitized version of the truth that borders on offensive. In hindsight, it’s all the more infuriating that Malek took the prize here overBradley Cooper, who poured his dang heart out inA Star Is Born.
Bohemian Rhapsody
The story of the legendary British rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid (1985).
24Jeff Bridges – ‘Crazy Heart’ (2009)
Who Should Have Won: Colin Firth in ‘A Single Man’
Jeff Bridgeswill break your heart inCrazy Heart, the emotional story of an alcoholic country singer who gets one last shot at redemption. It’s the kind of performance-driven film that’s prone to land acting nominations, butBridges’ legacy and stature certainly created an air of “it’s his time”when it came to settling on the winner. And it’s impossible to be mad at it.
Crazy Heart
Crazy Heart follows the journey of Bad Blake, a down-and-out country music legend struggling with alcoholism. When he meets journalist Jean Craddock, he embarks on a path of redemption, finding solace and potential renewal through their connection. This narrative explores themes of personal transformation and the possibility of new beginnings.
23Eddie Redmayne – ‘The Theory of Everything’ (2014)
Who Should Have Won: Steve Carell in ‘Foxcatcher’
Here’s another case of“actor plays a historical figure with a lot of makeup and wins an Oscar,”but honestly, it’s hard to blame them when it comes toEddie Redmayne’s turn asStephen Hawking. It’s a genuinely impressive performance, andThe Theory of Everythingis above average for most biopics of its ilk.Steve Carell’s full immersion inFoxcatcherwas absolutely terrifying, but few found the strength or patience to stomachBennett Miller’s measured, meticulous drama. When in doubt, “showy” wins, but Redmayne’s prize here is tough to argue against.
The Theory of Everything
Stephen Hawking gets unprecedented success in the field of physics despite being diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 21. He defeats awful odds as his first wife Jane aids him loyally.
22Brendan Fraser — ‘The Whale’ (2022)
Who Should Have Won: Colin Farrell in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’
Here’s the heartbreaking thing aboutThe Whale:Brendan Fraseris really good in what is an absolutely terrible film. And while it was wonderful to see Fraser win an award of this caliber, it’s a damn shame it’s for…this.Darren Aronofsky’s bleak, two-hour beatdown on a 600-pound man (played by Fraser) is exhausting—both in intentional and unintentional ways—butFraser is the saving grace to this misery experiment.The Whaleis misguided and unfortunate in every sense. The only thing saving it is Fraser doing all he can to give a strong performance underneath obscene amounts of makeup and prosthetics.
A reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.
21Jean Dujardin – ‘The Artist’ (2011)
Here’s a fun fact:The Artistis a feature film that was released to audiences and won five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. It’s undoubtedly one of the most obscure Oscar juggernauts in history – a perfectly fine if forgettable ode to the silent era. Its gimmick worked its magic in those couple of months that it was on the Oscar campaign trail, andJean Dujardin–a fine performer–took home the Best Actor Oscar prize for his charming silent performance. Again,it’s a fine movie and a fine performance, butThe Artistbegan to fade from our collective memory the very night it took home all those prizes.
The Artist
When George, a silent movie superstar, meets Peppy Miller, a dancer, sparks fly between the two. However, after the introduction of talking pictures, their fortunes change, affecting their dynamic.
20Russell Crowe – ‘Gladiator’ (2000)
Who Should Have Won: Tom Hanks in ‘Cast Away’
Russell Croweis very good in the Best Picture-winningGladiator, but his Oscar win in 2000 was very clearly tomake up for him losing the year before. Indeed, Crowe wholly deserved the Best Actor trophy in 1999 for his stunning turn inMichael Mann’sThe Insider, but that year’s prize went toKevin SpaceyforAmerican Beauty. Sometimes, when the Academy gets it wrong, voters feel a sense of remorse and end up awarding that performer or filmmaker later on for a less remarkable piece of work (see also: Al Pacino inScent of a Woman). That’s really what happened here, because whileGladiatoris a rousing sword-and-sandals epic, Crowe doesn’t quite hit the depths he hit while playing a whistleblower inThe Insider.
In ancient Rome, after the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, loyal general Maximus is betrayed and sentenced to death by the new emperor, Commodus. Escaping execution, Maximus is enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator, where his skills and honor lead him toward a path of vengeance and redemption.
19Sean Penn – ‘Mystic River’ (2003)
Who Should Have Won: Bill Murray in ‘Lost in Translation’
Sean Penn’s devastating line-reading of “Is that my daughter in there?” inClint Eastwood’s grief dramaMystic Riveris probably what single-handedly won him the Oscar that year. And it’s a good performance! This film started a run of Eastwood films that made him an Academy darling, withMystic Riverlosing most of its trophies to the juggernaut that wasThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. But Penn’s performance remainsone of the better “grief-stricken father” Oscar-winning turns.
Lost in Translation
A faded movie star and a neglected young woman form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo.
18Forest Whitaker – ‘The Last King of Scotland’ (2006)
Who Should Have Won: Forest Whitaker in ‘The Last King of Scotland’
The win forForest Whitakerthe year ofThe Last King of Scotlandwas a long time coming, and while the film itself hasn’t really held up as a must-see classic or anything,Whitaker’s performance remains terrifying. The veteran performer breathes life into dictator Idi Amin, as told through the eyes of a young physician (James McAvoy). What’s so impressive about Whitaker’s performance is you find Amin charming… up until you don’t. It’s a window into how dictators like Amin are able to rise to power, as Whitaker digs deep into the character toroot his performance in the fatal flaws that make Amin so dangerous.
The Last King of Scotland
Based on the events of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin’s regime as seen by his personal physician during the 1970s.
17Colin Firth – ‘The King’s Speech’ (2010)
Who Should Have Won: Jesse Eisenberg in ‘The Social Network’
I am still mad thatThe Social Networklost Best Picture toThe King’s Speech, but I’m also mad thatJesse Eisenberglost Best Actor toColin Firth. The latter is an incredibly talented performer and no doubt was due to land on the Oscars stage at some point, butThe King’s Speechis such a trite little film for which to win. It fits another one of the Oscars’ favorite categories, which is“famous A-lister plays someone struggling through a physical challenge against the odds.”This won’t be the last one of these you see on this list.
The King’s Speech
The story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.
16Leonardo DiCaprio – ‘The Revenant’ (2015)
Who Should Have Won: Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Revenant’
And here we come tothe ultimate “he was due” or “it was his time”win for the absolute wrong movie.Leonardo DiCapriohas given a number of Oscar-worthy performances in his lifetime, and while he certainly gives it his all inThe Revenant, I can’t shake the feeling that the film is less about the performance and more “physically put through hell on camera.” Yes, I know, it’s a very method turn (he ate raw bison liver, he got very cold), but in the pantheon of great DiCaprio performances, I’m not sure this one holds up as well asThe Wolf of Wall StreetorDjango UnchainedorCatch Me If You Can. Again, it’s a good performance – he’s one of our best living actors – and there’s no doubt he put himself through the ringer for it. I just wish he’d have finally won his Oscar for a better film.
The Revenant
A frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.
