When the Oscars like you, they really, really like you. Tour our photo gallery above (or click here for direct access) to see the 15 movies that won the most competitive Oscars throughout history. At 11 victories apiece, the current three record-holders are “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003), “Titanic” (1997) and “Ben-Hur” (1959). But where do other Academy Awards favorites like “West Side Story” (1961), “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) and “Gone with the Wind” (1939) fall on the historic list?
At the upcoming Oscars, “Oppenheimer” (2023) leads all other contenders with a whopping 13 nominations for picture, director (Christopher Nolan), adapted screenplay, actor (Cillian Murphy), supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr.), supporting actress (Emily Blunt), cinematography, costume design, film editing, makeup & hairstyling, production design, score and sound. If it claims 12 or 13 of these trophies on March 10, 2024, “Oppenheimer” will break the record and become the all-time winner at the Academy Awards. Make your Oscar predictions to let us know how YOU think it will ultimately fare.
SEE 2024 Oscar nominations: Full list of contenders in all 23 categories
11 WINS: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron’s army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
11 WINS: ‘Titanic’ (1997)
A 17-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.
11 WINS: ‘Ben-Hur’ (1959)
When a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
10 WINS: ‘West Side Story’ (1961)
Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.
9 WINS: ‘The English Patient’ (1996)
At the close of WWII, a young nurse tends to a badly burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair.
9 WINS: ‘The Last Emperor’ (1987)
This story about the final Emperor of China went undefeated at the Academy Awards, going nine-for-nine.
9 WINS: ‘Gigi’ (1958)
Weary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship, but it may not stay platonic for long.
8 WINS: ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ (2008)
A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers.
8 WINS: ‘Amadeus’ (1984)
The incredible true story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told by his peer and secret rival, Antonio Salieri, now confined to an insane asylum.
8 WINS: ‘Gandhi’ (1982)
Gandhi’s character is fully explained as a man of nonviolence. Through his patience, he is able to drive the British out of the subcontinent. And the stubborn nature of Jinnah and his commitment towards Pakistan is portrayed.
8 WINS: ‘Cabaret’ (1972)
A Berlin-era club entertainer romances two different men while the Nazis are rising to power all around them. “Cabaret” holds the distintion of winning the most Oscars without taking home the Best Picture prize.
8 WINS: ‘My Fair Lady’ (1964)
A misogynistic and snobbish phonetics professor agrees to a wager that he can take a flower girl and make her presentable in high society.
8 WINS: ‘On the Waterfront’ (1954)
An ex-prize fighter turned longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses.
8 WINS: ‘From Here to Eternity’ (1953)
In Hawaii in 1941, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit’s team, while his captain’s wife and second-in-command are falling in love.
8 WINS: ‘Gone with the Wind’ (1939)
A manipulative Southern belle carries on a turbulent affair with a blockade runner during the American Civil War.
PREDICT the 2024 Oscar winners through March 10
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I’d forgotten that GWTW only had 8 wins.