What’s the best month to release an Oscar-winning contender And what’s the worst month
Over the past 27 years, more than half (14 out of 27) of the Oscar-winning pictures were released in December; 4 in November; none in October; and 4 in September. Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” is the only Best Picture winner to have opened in August!
December: 14
Million Dollar Baby 2004
Lord of the Rings: 2003
Return of the King
Chicago 2002
A Beautiful Mind 2001
Shakespeare in Love 1998
Titanic 1997
Schindler’s List 1993
Driving Miss Daisy 1989
Rain Man 1988
Platoon 1986
Out of Africa 1985
Gandhi 1982
Kramer Vs. Kramer 1979
The Deer Hunter 1978
November: 4
The English Patient 1996
Dances With Wolves 1990
The Last Emperor 1987
Terms of Endearment 1983
October: None
September: 4
American Beauty 1999
Amadeus 1984
Chariots of Fire 1981
Ordinary People 1980
August: 1
Unforgiven 1992
July: 1
Forrest Gump 1994
June: None
May: 2
Crash 2005
Braveheart 1995
April: None
March: None
February: 1
Silence of the Lambs 1991
Oscar-Winners by Year and Month of Release
Film Year Month
Crash 2005 May
Million Dollar Baby 2004 December
Lord of the Rings: 2003 December
Return of the King
Chicago 2002 December
A Beautiful Mind 2001 December
Gladiator 2000 May
American Beauty 1999 September
Shakespeare in Love 1998 December
Titanic 1997 December
The English Patient 1996 November
Braveheart 1995 May
Forrest Gump 1994 July
Schindler’s List 1993 December
Unforgiven 1992 August
Silence of Lambs 1991 February
Dances With Wolves 1990 November
Driving Miss Daisy 1989 December
Rain Man 1988 December
The Last Emperor 1987 November
Platoon 1986 December
Out of Africa 1985 December
Amadeus 1984 September
Terms of Endearment 1983 November
Gandhi 1982 December
Chariots of Fire 1981 September
Ordinary People 1980 September
Kramer Vs. Kramer 1979 December
The Deer Hunter 1978 December
