The top 10 acting winners from the past decade, ranked.

      Another Oscars signifies another year in film concluded and a new opportunity to debate the Academy’s selections. While the Oscars are not without flaws, they provide a platform for discussion about the cinematic year. At times, however, the Academy hits the mark, reminding us of the year's finest achievements in areas ranging from sound editing to acting. Although not every acting winner is remembered for eternity, we have compiled a list of the 10 best acting winners from the last decade in both Best Actor and Best Actress categories, creating two separate lists for actors and actresses. Generally, the actress category showed greater strength with several repeat winners. See the complete lists below:

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      5. Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant (2015)

      In The Revenant, DiCaprio delivers a performance that might not be his best, but it is still commendable. He portrays Hugh Glass, a trapper betrayed and left for dead, who survives the harsh Canadian wilderness in pursuit of vengeance. The film emphasizes DiCaprio’s physical endurance as much as it focuses on the emotional journey of his character. The haunting final moments, where Glass has completed his quest and contemplates his future, are particularly memorable.

      4. Will Smith – King Richard (2021)

      The controversy surrounding Will Smith's slap overshadowed his commendable performance in King Richard. The film glosses over some of the tougher elements of Richard Williams's life, but Smith excels as a challenging father who recognizes the incredible potential in his daughters. The emotional resonance of witnessing his daughters' success is profound. With King Richard, Smith further established himself not only as a major star but as a capable actor.

      3. Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea (2016)

      Casey Affleck's role in Manchester by the Sea presents one of the more demanding challenges on this list. He portrays a man deeply scarred by life and a specific tragedy that shattered his family. Capturing the essence of a person who feels utterly empty and emotionally numb is a significant challenge, but Affleck adeptly reveals the truth behind a man who transforms dramatically in an instant. His performance is both brilliant and heart-wrenching.

      2. Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer (2023)

      Cillian Murphy’s expected victory during the 2024 awards season was well-deserved. His portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer captivates partly because the film explores the personal beliefs of the man who created the atomic bomb. The complexity of Oppenheimer's opposition to nuclear proliferation, despite his involvement in developing it, and his long-term connection with the Communist Party are intriguing. Murphy’s subtle performance enhances the tension leading to moments where his composure begins to falter.

      1. Anthony Hopkins – The Father (2020)

      Anthony Hopkins' win was widely anticipated, as many believed Chadwick Boseman would receive a posthumous award. Although Hopkins was not present at the ceremony, his performance in The Father merited all the accolades it garnered. He plays an elderly man with dementia, seamlessly blending cantankerousness and profound vulnerability as he gradually loses touch with reality. The film’s climactic scene, showcasing a heartbreaking emotional breakdown, is particularly powerful due to Hopkins's portrayal.

      5. Brie Larson – Room

      Brie Larson’s career has not surged since her Oscar win, but Room displayed her full acting range. She portrays a woman kidnapped as a teenager and forced to live in an enclosed space, grappling with the trauma while also being a mother to a child born during her captivity. Room stands out as a remarkable adaptation of a gripping novel, and Larson's performance significantly contributes to the film's impact.

      4. Emma Stone – Poor Things

      Emma Stone, a two-time Oscar winner, delivered her more striking performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things. In the film, Stone portrays Bella Baxter, a fully grown woman with the mindset of a newborn who gradually comes to terms with the world's beauty and horror. Her remarkably humorous and physical performance shows a fearless approach, demonstrating her versatility in taking on such a role. Though Poor Things is somewhat lengthy, Stone’s performance is exceptional and truly justifies her second Oscar.

      3. Frances McDormand – Nomadland

      Frances McDormand, another actress with two Oscars in the past decade, delivers a naturalistic performance in Nomadland that secured her place on this list. As Fern, she portrays a woman living in a van and traveling across the country due to economic hardship and her choice to escape her previous life. McDormand is surrounded by actual van-dwellers throughout the film, creating a genuine and lived-in performance that deserves all the accolades.

      2. Michelle Yeoh – Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

      For decades, Michelle Yeoh has established herself as one of the best actresses internationally, and Everything