Eight years after its controversial Best Picture win at the Oscars, Green Book is proving that audiences still have a soft spot for the biographical dramedy. The film, starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, has climbed to third place on Netflix's U.S. film chart in May 2026, sandwiched between the survival thriller Apex and the rom-com The Proposal.
Directed by Peter Farrelly, Green Book tells the story of the unlikely friendship between renowned African-American pianist Don Shirley (Ali) and his hired driver, Bronx bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga (Mortensen), during a tour through the Deep South in the 1960s. While the film earned a respectable 77% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and won Ali an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, its Best Picture victory was met with widespread criticism, especially given the stiff competition that year.
The 2019 Oscars saw Green Book beat out heavyweights like Black Panther, Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, Alfonso Cuarón's Roma, and Adam McKay's Vice. Many critics and viewers felt that Black Panther, hailed as a groundbreaking representation of African-American culture, or BlacKkKlansman, a powerful commentary on racism, were more deserving. Green Book was quickly labeled one of the most controversial Best Picture winners in Oscars history, often cited as an example of the Academy's disconnect from modern cinema.
Despite the backlash, general audiences have always had a warmer reception for the film. Its streaming success on Netflix is a testament to its enduring appeal as a crowdpleaser. The cast also includes Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Dimiter D. Marinov, adding depth to the story. Farrelly co-wrote the script with Tony Lip's son, Nick Vallelonga, and Brian Hayes Currie.
This resurgence comes as the Oscars themselves have undergone significant changes. In a move that could reshape future awards, the Academy recently approved several long-desired reforms, including allowing actors to be nominated multiple times in the same category for different roles and barring all AI-generated performances and scripts from contention. Starting next year, foreign films will also have an easier path to compete for Best International Film, either through their country's selection or by winning a major award at an eligible film festival. These changes mark some of the biggest shifts in the Academy's process since the awards show began.
For fans of classic cinema, Green Book's streaming success is a reminder that even controversial winners can find a second life. As the entertainment landscape evolves, it's worth revisiting the films that sparked debate and seeing them with fresh eyes. For more on the hottest shows and films on streaming, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot.
If you're in the mood for more award-winning content, check out our ranking of every Best Picture-winning gangster movie, or dive into the legacy of Steven Spielberg's Band of Brothers, which remains a masterpiece 25 years later.
