In the world of cinema, certain films transcend time, earning their place as legendary masterpieces celebrated by audiences and critics alike. Among these are a select few that have not only captivated viewers but also dominated the Oscars, securing multiple awards and cementing their legacy in film history.
In this list, you'll find 10 iconic movies that hold the record for the most Oscar wins. While some titles might already be familiar, others may surprise you—so be sure to jot them down and experience their magic. These films, with their storytelling brilliance and artistic excellence, are a testament to why they are among the most decorated works in the history of the Academy Awards.
10. Gone With The Wind (1939)
Total Oscars: 8
Gone With The Wind is a romantic drama set during the American Civil War, adapted from the 1936 novel of the same name by author Margaret Mitchell. Both the film and the novel are eternal icons in their respective fields, inspiring numerous outstanding works that followed.
The film received a record-breaking number of Oscars and nominations at the 12th Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director (Victor Fleming), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel), Best Cinematography in Color, Best Film Editing, and Best Art Direction.
9. From Here To Eternity (1953)
The romantic drama From Here to Eternity, based on the novel of the same name by James Jones, recounts the lives and loves of three U.S. Army soldiers stationed in Hawaii. They experience the most passionate moments of their lives, unaware that the tragic Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is imminent.
Although Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, and Deborah Kerr did not win Oscars in the acting categories for which they were nominated, Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed brought home the awards for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
Meanwhile, Fred Zinnemann won Best Director. The film also received Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Writing, Best Cinematography (Black-and-White), Best Costume Design (Black-and-White), Best Film Editing, Best Music (for a drama or comedy), and Best Sound Recording.
8. My Fair Lady (1964)
The iconic stage musical My Fair Lady was adapted into a film in 1964, retaining all the charm of the original. The story follows a phonetics professor who hopes to transform a working-class woman into a refined member of high society. Initially at odds, their relationship gradually evolves into something more romantic.
The film won 8 Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Rex Harrison), Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Director (George Cukor), and, of course, Best Picture.
7. Gigi (1958)
This romantic musical, based on the 1944 novel of the same name by Colette, tells the story of a wealthy and carefree man who constantly seeks new lovers. However, when his friend Gigi grows into a young woman, he begins to see her as an ideal romantic partner and must decide whether her charm is worth giving up his free-spirited lifestyle.
Gigi broke records by winning 9 Academy Awards at the 31st Oscars in 1959, including Best Picture and Best Director (Vincente Minnelli). Its other awards include Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song.
6. The Last Emperor (1987)
The Last Emperor is a 1987 epic biographical film that recounts the life of Puyi, the last emperor of China. While the film begins by depicting Puyi's rise to power as a young boy, it ends with his imprisonment and the rise of the Communist Party.
The film received unprecedented critical acclaim, winning every Oscar it was nominated for at the 60th Academy Awards. These awards include Best Picture, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director (Bernardo Bertolucci).
5. The English Patient (1996)
Michael Ondaatje's acclaimed 1992 novel The English Patient was adapted into a film in 1996. This romantic war drama tells the story of a severely burned man recounting his love story to the nurse caring for him.
The film was a major success, winning 9 out of the 12 Oscars it was nominated for. These awards include Best Picture, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Director (Anthony Minghella), and Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche).
4. West Side Story (1961)
This film features a forbidden love story reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, set in the Upper West Side of New York in the late 1950s. It revolves around two rival gangs: the Jets, composed of first-generation New Yorkers whose parents arrived in the early 19th century, and the Sharks, Puerto Rican immigrants with darker skin who had recently settled in America.
The ongoing hostility between the gangs escalates into an open conflict after Tony (Richard Beymer), the founder of the Jets who has left the gang to lead an honest life, falls in love with Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks.
West Side Story won 10 out of the 11 Oscars it was nominated for, including Best Picture, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Sound. Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins shared the award for Best Director, while George Chakiris won Best Supporting Actor and Rita Moreno received Best Supporting Actress.
3. Titanic (1997)
The first of three legendary films to win a total of 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, is Titanic—the 1997 epic romantic masterpiece. The performances by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio elevated their careers to new heights, setting a benchmark for future generations of actors. Titanic itself became an immortal icon of the romantic drama genre in modern Hollywood cinema.
With Titanic, James Cameron won the Oscar for Best Director, while the film also earned awards for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup, Best Original Dramatic Score, Best Original Song, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects.
2. Ben-Hur (1959)
Years before Titanic made waves, William Wyler’s Ben-Hur achieved monumental success. Adapted from the 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace, the film is renowned for its iconic nine-minute chariot race sequence, one of the most legendary scenes in American cinema. The film’s score, composed by Miklós Rózsa, remains the longest musical composition ever written for a movie, a record that still stands.
The story follows Judah Ben-Hur and his conflict with a ruthless Roman Empire official, culminating in events that lead to his fateful encounter with Jesus Christ.
Ben-Hur won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Art Direction – Color, Best Cinematography – Color, Best Special Effects, Best Costume Design – Color, Best Film Editing, Best Music – Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, and Best Sound Recording.
Additionally, William Wyler won Best Director, Charlton Heston won Best Actor, and Hugh Griffith was awarded Best Supporting Actor.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The third and final installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy is regarded as the greatest film of the 21st century to date. More than just an outstanding adventure film, it is a masterful adaptation of Tolkien’s monumental literary work. The Return of the King encompasses everything one could seek in cinema: love, friendship, courage, grandeur, tragedy, intense action, stunning visual effects, a phenomenal cast, and cutting-edge filmmaking techniques.
The film features an extraordinary ensemble cast, including Sean Bean, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Sean Astin, and Elijah Wood.
This finale to the fantasy saga of Middle-earth follows Frodo and Sam’s perilous journey to Mordor to destroy Sauron’s cursed ring, while the heroic Aragorn gathers forces for the ultimate battle against darkness.
Peter Jackson won Best Director, and the film also earned Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, and Best Visual Effects.