The Movies That Won The Most Oscars

19th February 2016

By Paul Sisolak.

Some films receive all the Oscar hype and anticipation, but can’t seem to turn speculation into a win. Others receive abundant nominations and take home nearly every available trophy.

The most celebrated Academy Award recipients are the pictures that have swept the awards, having been nominated for several and winning most. With the 88th Academy Awards fast approaching, the team at PrettyFamous took a look at the films that have won the most Oscars over the years. To do this, we first looked at the films that won the most Oscars and broke ties based on number of nominations. We sorted this list from fewest to most wins.

#35. A Man for All Seasons

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 8
Release Year: 1966

Winning six out of the eight Oscars it was nominated for, “A Man for All Seasons” came about in the era of religious historical films (think “The Ten Commandments” and “The Greatest Story Ever Told”), telling the story of Sir Thomas More and his support of King Henry VIII in the face of the Pope. Best picture, actor and director were a few of the awards won by this epic film for all seasons.

#35. An American in Paris

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 8
Release Year: 1951

Gene Kelly is perhaps best known for “Singin’ in the Rain,” but “An American in Paris” remains one of the actor-dancer’s Oscar winning best. In the film, he plays ex-soldier-turned artist Jerry Mulligan who, while staying in Paris, falls in love with two women: A free-spirited French woman and a rich art collecting heiress.

Dance numbers were choreographed by Kelly, and the score, by the Gershwins, helped win the picture six Oscars.

#33. A Place in the Sun

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 9
Release Year: 1951

George Eastman is in quite the predicament; working for his rich uncle, he begins affairs with two women, leading to a complicated and twisted love triangle in George Stevens’ 1951 “A Place in the Sun.” Based on the stage play and novel “An American Tragedy,” the film’s Oscar status was anything but, winning six awards that year.

#33. The Hurt Locker

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 9
Release Year: 2008

Not all award-winning war films are based on World War II or Vietnam. “The Hurt Locker” looks at the lives of three soldiers during the Iraq War and their tour of duty as a trio of bomb experts.

Director Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Oscar helming a film.

#32. Star Wars

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 10
Release Year: 1977

A space epic that became a cultural icon for more than four decades, we don’t normally associate “Star Wars” with Oscar winning performances or direction, but in fact, the original 1977 installment took home six Oscars, emphasizing its visual depiction of outer space beauty, like best costume design, best film editing and best art direction.

#31. The Godfather, Part II

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 11
Release Year: 1974

Few pictures come close to surpassing the original on which they followed, but “The Godfather Part II” — the first sequel to the magnificent mobster drama — might very well be the superior film, following the rise of Michael (Al Pacino) as he commands the Corleone family with flashbacks to his late father’s rise in the Sicilian mafia.

Francis Ford Coppola’s Part II won best picture in 1975 along with five other Oscars.

#30. Mrs. Miniver

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 12
Release Year: 1942

Most World War II films tell the story of the battle’s aftermath, of people, veterans and families picking up the pieces. Oscar-winning “Mrs. Miniver” deals with a British family whose troubles are only beginning at the start of the war, in this compelling, vignette-driven William Wyler film that was the recipient of six Oscars in 1943.

#28. Forrest Gump

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 13
Release Year: 1994

If life is like a box of chocolates, Forrest Gump gets to taste them all, as captain of a shrimp boat, marathon star and war hero — but what’s really important is winning the heart of childhood friend Jenny.

Tom Hanks brought his character to life in Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump,” which won best picture in a very competitive year for Oscar contenders.

#28. Chicago

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 13
Release Year: 2002

Jazz-Age hedonism, scandal and murder clash in 2002’s “Chicago.” Intrepid attorney Billy Flynn must defend two women sent to prison, and then death row, in this musical-drama that won best picture and five other Academy Awards.

#27. All About Eve

Oscar Wins: 6
Oscar Nominations: 14
Release Year: 1950

Is Eve all that she seems? Bette Davis’ portrayal of a down-and-out fan of an aging actress, with some secretively manipulative ways, got the legendary actress and three other female cast members nominated for Oscars in this 1950 drama.

This was one of Davis’ most famous roles, and “All About Eve” went on to become an American classic that’s been honored by the academy, AFI and the National Film Registry.

#25. The Best Years of Our Lives

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 8
Release Year: 1946

One of the first movies to address the issues that war can bring on domestic soil, “The Best Years of Our Lives” concentrates on three World War II soldiers whose lives will never be the same upon a difficult adjustment returning home to the U.S.

The 1946 film was critically and commercially acclaimed, and won seven Oscars at the Academy Awards.

#25. The Bridge on the River Kwai

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 8
Release Year: 1957

David Lean’s penchant for historically accurate films continues with his Oscar-winning “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” following the story of World War II POWs forced to build a bridge while prisoner of the Japanese in Burma — but a plot to blow up the bridge may complicate their freedom.

One of the greatest war films, it won seven out of 10 Oscars it as nominated for in 1958, at the height of the post-war era.

#20. Lawrence of Arabia

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 10
Release Year: 1962

David Lean’s historical biopic became the late Peter O’Toole’s career-defining lead role. As British lieutenant T.E. Lawrence, he’s anointed Lawrence of Arabia as a go-between for the English and Arabs in the search for Prince Faisal.

“Lawrence of Arabia” won seven Oscars, including best picture, best director and best actor, among others.

#20. Going My Way

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 10
Release Year: 1944

“Going My Way” was 1944’s highest-grossing film (earning $6.5 million in 1940s dollars). It told the story of a young priest (Bing Crosby) who takes over a parish in a tough New York neighborhood, where things become complicated when the clergyman’s old flame comes back into his life. This Golden-Age musical won seven Oscars and catapulted Crosby to stardom.

#20. Patton

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 10
Release Year: 1970

George C. Scott doesn’t just play General George S. Patton in 1971’s best picture winner, he virtually is General Patton. In his most recognizable and respected role, the biopic of the famed World War II hero tells the story of Patton’s wartime campaigns and ultimate fall from military grace. Scott’s opening monologue is example enough why “Patton” was selected as a Library of Congress National Film Registrant.

#20. The Sting

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 10
Release Year: 1973

Paul Newman and Robert Redford’s second turn together (after Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), “The Sting” made caper flicks popular again. The 1973 comedy heist follows the lives of two con men who seek revenge on a ruthless crime boss. Who can forget Marvin Hamlisch’s tinkling, ragtime piano theme?

#20. Gravity

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 10
Release Year: 2013

Many films deal with the possibility of being lost in space, but none done so artfully as Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity.” When two astronauts — a rookie on her first shuttle mission and a veteran set to retire — are stranded out in the galaxy, their only alternative might be to venture further into the atmosphere. Though it didn’t win its best picture nomination, “Gravity” won seven out of 10 that year, including best director.

#19. Out of Africa

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 11
Release Year: 1985

Based on the true story of Baroness Karen Blixen (in an Oscar-nominated performance by Meryl Streep), the wealthy heiress must choose between her philandering husband and an enigmatic hunter in the plains of 1930s Africa. Together with Gandhi, one of the 1980s’ most screen accurate, sweeping period pieces, “Out of Africa” won best picture and best director for Sydney Pollack.

#17. Dances With Wolves

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 12
Release Year: 1990

Released at the peak of his career, Kevin Costner took best director and best actor accolades for his own “Dances With Wolves.” The film follows a Civil War soldier whose friendship with a group of Native Americans defies his military obligations. The 1990 film won seven total Oscars, including best original score for the late, great composer John Barry.

#17. Schindler’s List

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 12
Release Year: 1993

“Schindler’s List” was the start of Steven Spielberg’s foray into deeply personal, historically relevant films. When businessman Oskar Schindler (played by Liam Neeson) joins the Nazi party and staffs his factory with Jews, he’s tasked with protecting them when the SS targets them for death. In addition to Spielberg’s Oscar win, Steven Zaillian won best adapted screenplay, and the movie won seven Academy Awards in total.

#16. Shakespeare in Love

Oscar Wins: 7
Oscar Nominations: 13
Release Year: 1998

What happens when William Shakespeare’s own love life is fictionalized in a way only the Great Bard could pull off? You get “Shakespeare in Love,” the 1998 winner of best picture, best actress and best supporting actress (for Gwyneth Paltrow and Judi Dench, respectively). Broke and struggling, the young writer strikes up a romance with a young woman, who acts as his muse for what would become “Twelfth Night.”

#14. Cabaret

Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 10
Release Year: 1972

Many musicals speak of a darker thematic undertone, and “Cabaret” is one such example. As the Nazi party rises to power in Germany in the early 1930s, a free-spirited Weimar nightclub singer is torn between two lovers as the country turns to war. Bob Fosse’s direction and choreography won him best director, while Liza Minelli won best actress.

#14. Slumdog Millionaire

Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 10
Release Year: 2008

When an Indian teenager looks to break free from his impoverished upbringing by participating on a game show, he’s accused of cheating and, while tortured by authorities, reflects on his life in flashbacks. “Slumdog Millionaire” was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning eight in 2009.

#12. Amadeus

Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 11
Release Year: 1984

Milos Forman filmed this period piece off the 1979 play of the same name, continuing a tradition of slightly fictionalized biopics that still stayed true to history. “Amadeus” was nominated for 11 Oscars in 1985, and won eight.

#12. Gandhi

Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 11
Release Year: 1982

Like “Chariots of Fire” before it and “Amadeus” after, “Gandhi” continued an impressive tradition of 1980s historical dramas that were true to period. The film was a career-defining showcase for Ben Kingsley as he portrayed the fallen Indian holy man.

“Gandhi” took home eight out of its 11 Oscar nominations, including best director and best actor.

#11. On the Waterfront

Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 12
Release Year: 1954

After the success of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Elia Kazan again cast Marlon Brando in “On the Waterfront.” The plot originated from a series of Pulitzer Prized journalistic exposés about union corruption along the ports of Northern New Jersey.

Kazan and Brando both walked home with golden trophies, for best director and best actor, respectively, while Eva Marie Saint won best supporting actress — not bad for her film debut.

#10. My Fair Lady

Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 12
Release Year: 1964

Teaming Lerner and Loewe for another Oscar-winning musical, this adaptation of their famous stage play borrows from Shakespeare’s “Pygmalion.” The film follows a poor, lower class English girl who receives charm lessons from an aristocratic professor to groom her for high society.

Filmed at the height of Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison’s respective career peaks, “My Fair Lady” won eight Academy Awards in 1965.

#8. From Here to Eternity

Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 13
Release Year: 1953

Three American soldiers deal with conflict, love, friendship and war immediately preceding the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. “From Here to Eternity” starred legendary screen icons like Burt Lancaster, Frank Sinatra and Montgomery Clift, winning eight of its 13 Oscar nominations.

#8. Gone With the Wind

Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 13
Release Year: 1939

To Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler might not give a damn, but that’s not what the academy thought of “Gone with the Wind,” honoring it with eight Oscar wins, such as best director, best picture and best screenplay, adapted from the only novel ever written by Margaret Mitchell.

Perhaps even more significant than its Academy accolades is the film’s recognition by the American Film Institute and the Library of Congress as one of cinema’s most enduring, persevering classics.

#6. The Last Emperor

Oscar Wins: 9
Oscar Nominations: 9
Release Year: 1987

Legendary director Bernardo Bertolucci is cemented as of cinema’s most innovative craftsmen, but the only of his films to sweep the Oscars was his epic “The Last Emperor,” which was nominated for nine Oscars in 1988, winning each.

Captured during the height of grandiose historical period pieces filmed during the mid-to-late 1980s, it was the first Western film permitted to be filmed in Beijing by Chinese officials.

#6. Gigi

Oscar Wins: 9
Oscar Nominations: 9
Release Year: 1958

Just one of three films on this list that swept the Oscars (winning each nomination), the Lerner-Loewe adaptation of a girl groomed for Parisian high society was based on the popular Colette novella. Academy Award accolades for “Gigi” ranged from best picture to best original score, best director and best costume design.

#5. The English Patient

Oscar Wins: 9
Oscar Nominations: 12
Release Year: 1996

During World War II, four strangers’ lives become intertwined in an Italian villa, where a nurse, a thief, and a British soldier help a burn victim who remembers nothing but his ability to speak English. Based on a Booker Prize-winning novel, “The English Patient” won several awards of its own in 1997, including best picture, best director and best supporting actress.

#4. West Side Story

Oscar Wins: 10
Oscar Nominations: 11
Release Year: 1961

The Sharks and the Jets; alley rumbles; Tony and Maria. Just those clues alone remind us that “West Side Story” will always remain an American musical classic, seamlessly interpreted for the big screen in 1961 courtesy of Robert Wise, whose “Romeo and Juliet”-inspired romance-gang story won 10 Oscars — a record still held by any musical, 55 years later.

#3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Oscar Wins: 11
Oscar Nominations: 11
Release Year: 2003

The third and final installment of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, “The Return of the King” put to rest the notion that sequels are, as a rule, inferior to their original installments. Critically and commercially successful (grossing $1.1 billion), this third installment of the Tolkien classic won each of its 11 Academy Award nominations in 2004. It was the first fantasy-themed feature to win best picture.

#2. Ben-Hur

Oscar Wins: 11
Oscar Nominations: 12
Release Year: 1959

It’s rare to see a remake trump its original version, but William Wyler’s 1959 version of “Ben-Hur” did just that when it was nominated for 12 Oscars that year, winning 11, including best picture, best director, and best actor, in what may be Charlton Heston’s career-defining role.

The epic of all gladiator epics, it held the biggest budget for its time (at $15.1 million), paving the way for successors like “Gladiator,” “Troy,” “Clash of the Titans” and others.

#1. Titanic

Oscar Wins: 11
Oscar Nominations: 14
Release Year: 1997

There’s a reason why “Titanic” shares the record for most Oscar nominations (14), winning best picture and best director: James Cameron’s sweeping opus balances a love story and a disaster epic with delicateness and majesty. Arguably the greatest film of the 1990s, it made household names out of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet and grossed over $2.1 billion at box offices worldwide.

The Films With the Most Oscar Wins: Ranked

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