48 Films from the 1986 Oscars

At an English boarding school, young Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson form a strong friendship through their mutual love of puzzles and mysteries. Holmes, already known for his sharp mind, impresses everyone with his amazing ability to figure things out.…

This 1985 Argentine documentary, directed by Susana Blaustein Muñoz and Lourdes Portillo, focuses on the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo.

This 1985 documentary examines the lives of three individuals: Min Yasui, an Oregon attorney; Gordon Hirabayashi, a Quaker college student in Washington; and Fred Korematsu, a San Francisco welder. It explores how the internment of Japanese Americans during World War…

A solitary woman orders a unique package through the mail.

For over a century, the Statue of Liberty has represented hope and a new beginning for immigrants. Ken Burns offers a lyrical and thought-provoking look at the statue's history and the concept of liberty itself. Using rare photographs, paintings, drawings,…

Captain Etienne Navarre is cursed to become a wolf every night, while his love, Lady Isabeau, transforms into a hawk during the day. This supernatural affliction is the result of a cruel fate punishing their forbidden love. With the help…

This drama follows Emma, a strong single mother who starts over in a charming Arizona town, leaving her past behind. She finds an unexpected friend in Murphy, a kind and experienced pharmacist with strong community ties. Their friendship provides both…

Seventeen dancers audition for a major new Broadway musical, hoping for their big break. Among them is Cassie, a talented performer with a complicated history with the director, Zach. They share a passionate but troubled past. As the auditions heat…

Charley Partanna is a highly skilled hitman for the powerful Prizzi crime family. He becomes unexpectedly drawn to Irene Walker, another professional in the same dangerous world, yet she remains mysterious to him. Their shared violent history sparks a complex…

A chilling legal drama begins when a lifeless newborn is found in a convent wastebasket. Dr. Martha Livingston, a psychiatrist, is asked to assess the young nun accused of the baby's murder. Dr. Livingston struggles to determine the accused's mental…

Set in the fading Austro-Hungarian Empire, the film follows Alfred Redl, a determined young officer with big goals. He rises through the ranks to head the Secret Police, becoming deeply involved in a world of political lies and conspiracies. The…

In 1940s Houston, Carrie Watts, an elderly woman, feels trapped by her daughter-in-law and son. Despite her comfortable surroundings, she yearns to visit Bountiful, a nostalgic Texas town from her past. Carrie hopes the trip will reconnect her with her…

A man in his fifties is happy with his job and family, yet feels a void in his life. Celebrating his 50th birthday with a drink at a local bar, he's drawn to the attention of a young, attractive barmaid.…

During the winter of 1942-43, a Jewish family jumps from a train in Silesia and are scattered in the woods. Leon, a prosperous local farmer, finds the woman, Rosa, and hides her in his cellar. A middle-aged Catholic bachelor, Leon…

This film follows a group of Vietnam War veterans who have chosen to live in isolation in the wilderness. Unable to readjust to civilian life due to the enduring psychological effects of the war, these men have deliberately built lives…

This drama unfolds in the turbulent years following Tito's break with Stalin in 1948, revealing the dangerous choices faced by Yugoslav communists. A simple conversation about a newspaper cartoon unexpectedly leads to Mesha's wrongful arrest, joining many others caught in…

In a Latin American prison, two men from different worlds forge an unexpected friendship. Valentin, a journalist who won't compromise his ideals, faces brutal torture. His new cellmate, Molina, is a thoughtful window-dresser with a love for stories and old…

Molly's Pilgrim is a 1985 American short film directed by Jeffrey D. Brown, based on the children's book of the same name by Barbara Cohen. It follows Molly, a young Russian immigrant, who teaches her classmates the true meaning of…

A police officer mistakenly declared dead is resurrected as a highly trained presidential assassin. He becomes a crucial asset to the U.S. President, undertaking secret missions that challenge the distinction between life and death. The story examines redemption, loyalty, and…

The film gently examines the close relationship between two sisters as they revisit their shared history. Nostalgic flashbacks reveal their lives from childhood to adulthood, showing the experiences that shaped them as individuals and as a unit. The cinematography beautifully…

This film chronicles the remarkable journey of Patsy Cline, a talented country music singer whose distinctive voice resonated with audiences nationwide. It explores her path to fame during the mid-20th century American music era, highlighting her hard work and resilience…

This Oscar-winning documentary short tells the story of Charlie Clements, a Vietnam War pilot who felt compelled to pursue a career as a doctor, working directly with people on the ground.

This film explores the stories of people who deliberately put themselves in danger during the Holocaust to help Jewish people.

*Keats and His Nightingale: A Blind Date* is a 1985 American short documentary film directed by Jim Wolpaw. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short.

This drama follows an Amish boy who witnesses a murder in a busy train station, drawing him into a dangerous situation. As fear spreads through his community, he's protected by a hardened detective. The detective, initially out of place in…

"Making Overtures: The Story of a Community Orchestra," a 1985 Canadian short documentary by Larry Weinstein, is a warm and funny look at a local orchestra and choir. The film explores the musicians' love of playing, their creative ways of…

This film profiles Roy Smeck, a former vaudeville star nicknamed "The Wizard of the Strings" for his exceptional skill on guitar, banjo, ukulele, and Hawaiian guitar. Even in his mid-80s, he remains active, teaching students and making occasional public appearances.

Sam Lowry is a bored bureaucrat who escapes his dull life through vivid daydreams of being a heroic savior. While investigating the wrongful arrest and death of an innocent man, instead of the actual suspect, Harry Tuttle, Sam encounters the…

In a South American military dictatorship, a young man seeks excitement by drawing with chalk during curfew. This film received an Oscar nomination for Best Live Action Short Film.

During the Great Depression, a determined young girl sets out across America to find her father. She faces many obstacles in this unfamiliar world, but she's helped by two unlikely companions: a loyal wolf who offers protection and friendship, and…

A wealthy woman is murdered at her beach house, and her husband becomes the prime suspect. Facing mounting evidence, he hires a retired criminal defense lawyer. The two men, initially at odds, develop a close bond as they work together…

In 1983 Buenos Aires, Argentina, history teacher Alicia begins investigating the dark truths of her country's recent military dictatorship. She adopts a young girl named Gaby, unknowingly setting her on an unexpected course. Alicia’s passion for history and desire for…

The film tells the story of a determined dancer whose life takes a turn for the worse after a plane crash in Siberia leaves him at the mercy of the Soviet authorities. He had previously defected from the USSR seeking…

This charming comedy follows three close friends in Paris – Jacques, Pierre, and Michel – as they deal with love, friendship, and an unexpected baby. Their apartment is always lively, filled with parties and friends. When Jacques is asked to…

A group of elderly friends break into a deserted research facility, seeking adventure. They discover a pool containing strange alien cocoons. Ignoring warnings, they enter the water and accidentally awaken the cocoons, triggering a transformation. Suddenly flooded with energy, they…

This documentary chronicles the U.S. Government's forced relocation of 10,000 Navajo people within Arizona.

John Rambo is pulled from prison by government officials for a secret mission he doesn't want. He's forced to return to the jungles of Vietnam, a place of painful memories. As Rambo journeys through dangerous territory, he begins to doubt…

This film is the true story of Karen Blixen, a Danish author who moved to Africa at the beginning of the 20th century hoping for a new life. Based on her 1937 memoir, the movie follows her journey from Europe…

In the midst of the Great Depression, Cecilia, a young waitress in New Jersey, escapes her dreary life by regularly visiting the movie theater. When she loses her job, she seeks refuge in cinema, drawn to the film "The Purple…

Dorothy wakes up in a mysterious research facility after escaping a dangerous psychiatric experiment. A strange girl helps her return to the magical world she once lived in, but now everything is different and more complicated. As Dorothy journeys through…

"The Painter of Life" is a powerful drama about Celie, an African-American woman living in a deeply prejudiced South. The film follows her forty-year journey as she endures abuse from her father and a controlling marriage to "Mister" Albert Johnson.…

Sex and the City is a lively look at friendships between women and finding love in New York City. The film adapts Candace Bushnell's popular novel, following four independent women in their late thirties as they balance work and openly…

Three isolated kingdoms drift in space, each aware of the others but unable to connect. Each kingdom has become intensely devoted to a single color – blue, red, or gold – influencing their clothing, buildings, and even the plants they…

"WWF Mania" was a weekly professional wrestling program from the World Wrestling Federation, airing on Saturday mornings on the USA Network from 1993 to 1996. It gave fans a regular look at matches and events. The show provided an in-depth…

Silverado is a quiet town where life appears peaceful. But a corrupt sheriff and a ruthless gang have secretly taken control, terrorizing the residents. Four people, with different skills, arrive in town, drawn together by fate. They must learn to…

A simple argument during a game of Scrabble takes a terrifying turn for a married couple when nuclear war erupts. Unaware of the global catastrophe unfolding outside their home, they grapple with the sudden reality of their situation. The game,…

Akira Kurosawa's 'Ran' is a sweeping historical epic based on Shakespeare's King Lear, set in 16th-century Japan. The film highlights Kurosawa's masterful storytelling and his profound examination of human weakness, particularly the destructive effects of war. This late-career masterpiece explores…