12 Years a Slave
The definitive cinematic account of American slavery — Steve McQueen's unflinching film won Best Picture and Lupita Nyong'o's performance is one of the most devastating in history.
Pantheon Standing
| List Name | Rank | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest Films of All Time | #1 | 96.0 |
The Age Divide
Voters under 30 and over 35 rank 12 Years a Slave significantly differently across lists.
The Cultural Record
Discography
No entries on record.
Awards & Recognition
No Grammy data on record.
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Oscar: Best Picture 2013
3 Oscars
Steve McQueen
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Lupita Nyong'o
Michael Fassbender
Brad Pitt producer
Solomon Northup memoir adaptation
The Case For 12 Years a Slave
“The longevity argument alone puts them in a category of one. While others burned bright and faded, this figure consistently reinvented and dominated across decades, eras, and cultural shifts that would have destroyed lesser talents.”
“Technically unmatched. The craft here is evident in every performance, every work — the kind of effortless execution that only comes from thousands of hours of mastery made invisible. They make the impossible look inevitable.”
“Commercial success should never be held against artistic legacy. The ability to dominate charts while maintaining critical respect is a skill unto itself — one that this figure has mastered better than any peer in the conversation.”
Rank History
Ranking history will be available once voting opens for 12 Years a Slave.
Often Compared To
Black Panther
#2Films — Hollywood, California · 2018
The most culturally significant superhero film ever made — the first MCU film nominated for Best Picture and a global celebration of African identity and Black excellence.
Do the Right Thing
#3Films — Brooklyn, New York · 1989
Spike Lee's masterpiece of racial tension in Brooklyn — released in 1989 and more urgent with every decade. The film the Academy snubbed for Best Picture was ultimately proven right.