One of the top annual awards handed out at the Toronto International Festival is the People's Choice Award (PCA). Chosen by audiences, every year the award represents the film that most captured the hearts and minds of TIFF-goers.

What's remarkable about the award is that over its forty-year history, a large amount of movies picked have gone on to become all-time classics and big Oscar winners. With such a buffet of quality represented, I decided to dive in and pick and rank ten of the best films that have ever walked away with TIFF's coveted People's Choice Award.

Disclaimer: Before your "I can't believe you didn't include..." outrage boils over into the comments section, a brief note: much to my ongoing shame, I have yet to get around to The Big Chill, Roger & Me, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, and The Fisher King. I know. I'm the worst. Rest assured I'm seeking professional help to correct these oversights.

Please be sure to share your own top 10 list from the many, many winners in the comments section.

10. The King's Speech (2010)
The world--especially TIFF--loves Colin Firth. So it's no surprise that a movie that makes him vulnerable, sweet, and stuttering King George VI becomes a crowd-pleaser that rode a wave of adoration to a PCA and then onwards to several Oscars.

9. Precious (2009)
TIFF audiences often skew towards rewarding the whimsical, charming, or rousing. Precious might appear to be an anomaly then. But festival goers have no problem with challenging if there's inspirational perseverance--which is definitely the case in this film about the resilient spirit and hope of its central character.

8. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
From its very first screening at TIFF, Silver Linings Playbook was the buzzed about film of 2012 thanks to its quirky, off-beat, feel-good take on the romantic comedy. Having everyone's favorite Oscar winning sweetheart goofball right now, Jennifer Lawrence, doesn't hurt either.

7. Eastern Promises (2007)
Eastern Promises remains David Cronenberg's most accessible effort to date, yet this gritty, violent, always enthralling gangster film is still distinctly Cronenberg. No doubt that's exactly why TIFF audiences embraced it.

6. Whale Rider (2002)
It's a shame that this has become perhaps most forgotten PCA winner on this list. Whale Rider remains a wonderful, compelling coming-of-age story about a young Maori girl that festival goers were dead-on in recognizing.

5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee's beautiful, tranquil martial arts dramatic romance received justified love at TIFF in 2000. Love that was critical in helping the movie go on to become a surprise box-office hit and a not-so-surprise award winner.

4. The Decline of the American Empire (1986)
Denys Arcand's film is one of the few Canadian films to win the PCA, and rightfully so. It takes a great talent to make a film that's mostly talking not only successful, but so immensely and enjoyably watchable.

3. Amelie (2001)
Anyone who has seen the whimsical, sugar sweet French film knows the magical power it has over an audience, so it's hardly a surprise it swept festival goers away when it screened at TIFF and made Audrey Tauto a star.

2. The Princess Bride (1987)
Are some of the other films on this list "more important" or better than The Princess Bride? Sure. But none are so damn romantic as this modern fairy tale which has only become more and more beloved as the years have gone by since it wowed TIFF audiences almost thirty years ago.

1. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Some might think it too soon to declare Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave the greatest film to be appointed the People's Choice Award. Yet, considering was an instant masterpiece practically right out of the box, imagine how time will only see it get greater and remain one of the best selections TIFF audiences ever made.

Thanks to the Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington, for sponsoring our coverage of TIFF 2014.