Summary

• The Oscars' new award for best casting is a significant recognition of the creativity and importance of the casting process in filmmaking.
• Films with both large ensembles and movies centered around outstanding individual performances deserve recognition in the best casting category.
• Iconic films like The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest displayed exceptional casting choices that contributed to their success and acclaim.

The Academy Awards recently announced a new award for best casting, and there are several films that retroactively deserve the accommodation. In a constantly evolving film industry, it's vital for the Oscars to make changes to awards categories. Casting is an essential step of the filmmaking process, and it's fantastic for the Academy to recognize the creativity behind it. The new category will be introduced at the 2026 Academy Awards, so it won't take effect at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, which is scheduled for March 10, 2024.

When considering films with great casts, massive ensembles like The Godfather and The Lord of the Rings immediately come to mind. While those films are undoubtedly well-cast, it's also essential to note movies like No Country For Old Men and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which are centered more around two or three outstanding performances. Generally speaking, the movies that would have won this award in previous years would mainly consist of films recognized by the Oscars, winning or being nominated in multiple acting categories.

10 The Social Network (2010)

Directed by David Fincher

The combination of Aaron Sorkin's screenwriting and David Fincher's directing made the 2010 Mark Zuckerberg biopic a filmmaking masterpiece. Of course, Jesse Eisenberg is phenomenal for the leading role, but the casting of The Social Network extends beyond his excellence. Andrew Garfield was relatively unknown then, and his casting launched him into stardom. Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, and Rooney Mara, who found varying success in Hollywood following the film, were also praised as newcomers. Not to mention, casting Justin Timberlake was a surprising choice that worked out fantastically.

9 Pulp Fiction (1994)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino's films have been consistently praised for their spot-on casting, with Tarantino himself taking much of the credit for choosing his stars. Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson are among the most prolific actor and director duos in film history, and the decision to cast Jackson as Jules Winnfield is significantly responsible for both of their prospering careers. Tarantino has also been credited for reviving John Travolta's career by casting him in such a memorable role. Each star in Pulp Fiction is unforgettable, and it definitely would've deserved the award in 1994.

8 The Godfather (1972)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

The Godfather is arguably the best movie of all time, so it's no surprise that it's one of the most well-cast movies ever. Francis Coppola's mafia epic simply fulfills every aspect of filmmaking to the highest degree, and it's hard to imagine anyone in the ensemble being replaced. For starters, discovering Al Pacino and fighting for him to play such a monumental role against the studio's wishes was a casting decision that changed the course of film history. Of course, casting Marlon Brando as the patriarch of the Corleone family was also impeccable.

Beyond the leading stars, The Godfather cast is incredible from top to bottom. Robert Duvall is iconic as the level-headed adopted son and family lawyer, Tom. James Caan is perfect as the hot-headed eldest son, Sonny Corleone. Diane Keaton brings sensitivity to Kay Corleone that's vital to making the film work. Not to mention, the cast is rounded out with real-life mobsters like Lenny Montana, who played Luca Brasi in the film, bringing authenticity to the cast.

7 Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Winner of the Best Picture award in 2023, Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of only three films ever to win three acting category awards. Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis all took home Oscars for their performances, and Stephanie Hsu was also nominated. Ke Huy Quan's casting is the standout for the film, as the actor's return to Hollywood years after being a recognizable child actor was a heartwarming story, helping contribute to the film's Oscar campaign.

6 The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Directed by David Frankel

Although The Devil Wears Prada only earned one acting nomination, its cultural significance is undeniable. The Devil Wears Prada is a quintessential 2000s movie with absolutely iconic performances from stars Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Casting Meryl Streep in almost any role is an obvious path to success, and the fact that the 2006 film became one of her most iconic performances speaks to how spot-on the casting choice was. Not to mention, the movie launched Emily Blunt into widespread acclaim and fame.

5 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Directed by Peter Jackson

Really any of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films could've deserved the casting award. The film series cleverly mixes budding stars like Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, and many more, with veteran talents like Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee. There's an enormous amount of pressure when bringing such beloved and celebrated characters to life, and every single member of the cast does so with grace and sophistication. From top to bottom, it's difficult to imagine new actors taking on any of Tolkien's iconic characters.

Specific highlights in the Lord of the Rings casting include Andy Serkis, who's become one of the most unique and revolutionary talents in the film industry with his work in motion capture technology. Casting Elijah Wood and Sean Astin as Frodo and Sam was impeccable, as the two brought such believable chemistry as best friends. Christopher Lee was known for playing villain roles, making it an obvious choice, but the actor is still phenomenal as the wicked wizard Saruman.

4 No Country for Old Men (2007)

Directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Javier Bardem was the only star from No Country For Old Men to win the Academy Award, and it's one of the most well-deserved acting awards ever given out. Bardem's character, Anton Chigurh, is one of the most chilling movie villains ever, and one of the most distinctly unforgettable performances in modern cinema. Of course, Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones also bring their A-game, and every cast member perfectly resembles the characters of Cormac McCarthy's book, which the film is based on. Even the minor, ing characters are well-cast and memorable, which the Coen Brothers have always excelled at.

3 A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Directed by Elia Kazan

1951's A Streetcar Named Desire is one of Marlon Brando's best movies, and his casting changed the style of acting in film forever. The film launched Brando from being a relatively unknown stage actor to becoming a world-renowned movie star, and his authentic, naturalistic acting style set the gold standard for movie performing. That casting decision alone carries significant weight, but what's incredible is that A Streetcar Named Desire won three Academy Awards for acting, and Brando wasn't even one of them. Vivien Leigh, Karl Malden, and Kim Hunter all won Oscars for their roles, showing the film's acting depth.

2 Network (1976)

Directed by Sidney Lumet

The final of the three films to win acting awards in three categories is Sidney Lumet's Network, one of the best film commentaries on mainstream news media. Stars Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, and Beatrice Straight all took home Academy Awards for their roles, and that's not even including Robert Duvall and William Holden, who are also exceptional in the movie. Peter Finch gives one of the most iconic scene performances in cinema, and ironically, wasn't even the first choice for the film.

1 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Directed by Miloš Forman

Miloš Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is known for being one of the best Jack Nicholson movies, winning the actor his first Academy Award. Of course, Louise Fletcher also won an Oscar for her riveting performance as the antagonist, Nurse Ratched. Their dichotomy is the best part of the film, but the casting of ing stars Will Sampson, Danny DeVito, and Christopher Lloyd helps bring authenticity to the film's unique setting.