12. How Green Was My Valley Tops Citizen Kane (1942)
At the 14th Academy Awards in 1942, ‘How Green Was My Valley’ won Best Picture, defeating ‘Citizen Kane,’ which was widely anticipated to win. Directed by John Ford, ‘How Green Was My Valley’ is a poignant drama about a Welsh mining family’s struggles. Despite its acclaim, ‘Citizen Kane’ was overshadowed, leading to ongoing debates about the Academy’s decision. For more context, refer to this article from Smithsonian Magazine: How Green Was My Valley Beat Citizen Kane.
