The Top 20 Most Memorable Episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show

Over the 25 years that Oprah Winfrey's popular TV show ran, several engaging and sometimes controversial topics created honest, genuine conversations. Her first episode, "AM Chicago," aired on January 7, 1986. Her final episode, "Oprah's Final Message," aired 25 years later keeping true to her key message throughout the 25 years: "You are not alone."

For 25 years, Winfrey gave away cars, asked the questions we all wondered, and raised awareness of important issues many faced. For the 20 most memorable episodes of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," I went straight to the viewers. These are the 20 episodes that viewers rank the highest on IMDb. They're ranked from lowest to highest with the 1. episode being the highest ranked. (Also, read "14 Celebrities Who Did Not Make It Until They Were in Their 30s" to learn more about Oprah Winfrey.)

The Auschwitz Episode

Elie Wiesel, author of "Night" wrote that book based on his recollections of surviving Auschwitz at the age of 15. The talk show host accompanied him on a return visit to the former concentration camp in one of the best Oprah Winfrey episodes.

Air Date: May 24, 2006
Guests: Elie Weisel
IMDb Rating: 7.3

The Oscar Countdown Show

This highly-rated episode took a closer look at the nominations for the 76th Academy Awards. "The Lord of the Rings" was one of the big winners that year, but "Mystic River," "Monster," and "Cold Mountain" also produced several nominees and winners.

Air Date: February 27, 2004
Guests: Sean Astin, Ben Kingsley, Holly Hunter, and Liv Tyler
IMDb Rating: 7.3

Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure

For two days, the show took over the Sydney Opera House. Several famous Australians joined for a stunning rendition of "I Still Call Australia Home." The trip to Australia lasted four days in all and the other episode added guests like Russell Crowe and paid tribute to the late Steve Irwin through appearances with his wife and two children.

Air Date: January 21, 2011
Guests: Pete Evans, Hugh Jackman, Hugh Jackson, Nicole Kidman, Olivia Newton-John, and Keith Urban
IMDb Rating: 7.5

High Style on a Budget and "Across the Universe"

Fashion takes center stage for part of this memorable episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." The other part focuses on the movie "Across the Universe," a musical romance featuring music from the Beatles.

Air Date: September 14, 2007
Guests: Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther, Jim Sturgess, Julie Taymor, Vera Wang, and Evan Rachel Wood
IMDb Rating: 7.5

The "Hairspray" Episode

Fans loved this celebration of the 2007 movie based on the award-winning Broadway show. Several actors received nominations, including Zac Efron for an MTV Movie Award, and the song "You Can't Stop the Beat" won a People's Choice Award.

Air Date: July 18, 2007
Guests: Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Tramaine Montell Ford, Elijah Kelley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Adan Shankman, and John Travolta
IMDb Rating: 7.5

The "General Hospital" Episode

The long-running soap opera about Port Charles, New York, aired its first episode in 1963. "General Hospital" stars shared their insights on the show. In the "Dreams Come True" segment, a Defiance College coach achieved his dream of pitching for the Tigers during spring training.

Air Date: February 23, 2004
Guests: Maurice Benard, Steve Burton, James Evans, and Rick Hearst
IMDb Rating: 7.5

"The Movie Album" Episode

In this episode, singer Barbra Streisand discussed her new release "The Movie Album." It features classics like "Moon River" and Charlie Chaplin's "Smile."

Air Date: October 14, 2003
Guests: Daniel Browning Smith, Dennis Rogers, and Barbra Streisand
IMDb Rating: 7.5

The Madonna Episode

Madonna appeared on Oprah's talk show in December 1996 participating in her first long interview. Until this memorable episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," she'd only given brief interviews. It also marked her first interview since giving birth to her daughter.

Air Date: December 13, 1996
Guests: Madonna and Sage Stallone
IMDb Rating: 7.5

The "Brokeback Mountain" Episode

After its release in 2005, "Brokeback Mountain" became an Oscar contender. Shortly before the Oscars aired, Winfrey invited the main cast to talk about their movie that ended up winning three Oscars.

Air Date: January 27, 2006
Guests: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Heath Ledger, Tyler Perry, and Michelle Williams
IMDb Rating: 7.6

Cooper Anderson Talks About His Family History

It wasn't well known then that CNN's Cooper Anderson's mom was the legendary designer Gloria Vanderbilt. Both mother and son appeared in this episode to talk about the tragic suicide of Anderson's brother and the family history. The episode also covered the dangers children face on the internet.

Air Date: May 23, 2006
Guests: Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt
IMDb Rating: 8

The "Mona Lisa Smile" Episode

Julia Roberts' role in "Mona Lisa Smile" found a 1950s professor. She encourages her female students to ignore what they've been told is expected of young women at the time. The cast got together to discuss society's expectations of women.

Air Date: November 18, 2003
Guests: Kirsten Dunst, Julia Roberts, and Julia Stiles
IMDb Rating: 8

"The Comeback Kid" Episode

Before he was Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. was an addict whose problems were piling up. After serving time at Corcoran State Prison and a year-long stay in a live-in treatment program, he sat down in one of the most memorable Oprah episodes to talk about being clean for two years.

Air Date: November 23, 2004
Guests: Robert Downey Jr.
IMDb Rating: 8.1

The "Women Across the Globe" Episode

Indian actress and Miss World winner Aishwarya Rai Baschand talked about women around the world. Additional women from countries like Iceland, Portugal, and Saudi Arabia appear to talk about their perceptions of American women.

Air Date: April 24, 2005
Guests: Aishwarya Rai
IMDb Rating: 8.2

The New Faces of HIV/AIDS Episode

This wasn't the first time Magic Johnson sat down with Winfrey to discuss his HIV diagnosis and the advancements in HIV and AIDS treatments. He returned in 1999 with several people diagnosed with HIV, including a pregnant woman who learned she was HIV positive after becoming pregnant. Her boyfriend of five years had given it to her.

Air Date: September 17, 1999
Guests: Magic Johnson
IMDb Rating: 8.3

The "Stars of Australia" Episode

The blockbuster "Australia" was set in WWII when Japan bombed Darwin, Australia. It starred Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. In addition to talking about the movie, Kidman also had just become a mom to Sunday Rose.

Air Date: November 10, 2008
Guests: Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman
IMDb Rating: 8.3

"The Mirror Has Two Faces" Episode

Singer Barbra Streisand is also a talented actor. In this popular Oprah episode, she discussed her new movie "The Mirror Has Two Faces." That movie would land her an Oscar nomination for "Best Music" For the duet with Bryan Adams titled "I Finally Found Someone." It also earned Lauren Bacall a nomination for "Best Supporting Actress."

Air Date: November 11, 1996
Guests: Barbra Streisand
IMDb Rating: 8.3

The "Walk the Line" Episode

Johnny Cash's life story was told in the award-winning movie "Walk the Line." The cast stopped by to talk about their movie and the music they performed in it.

Air Date: October 10, 2005
Guests: Nate Berkus, Ricky Martin, Joaquin Phoenix, and Reese Witherspoon
IMDb Rating: 8.4

The "Finding Neverland" Episode

Author J.M. Barrie's life and inspiration for Peter Pan was told in "Finding Neverland." The cast of the movie joined Winfrey to talk about it.

Air Date: November 2, 2004
Guests: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, and Kate Winslet
IMDb Rating: 8.4

The "Just One Thing" Episode

In this episode, Winfrey reflects on a question that a past audience member asked her. What was her one "life-defining moment?" She shares the court battle she found herself in with the beef industry and gets others to share theirs.