Which Movies Have Won the Most Oscars? (2024)

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - 11

The concluding film of Peter Jackson’s trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels took home the most trophies of any film in the 21st century. The 2003 film won all 11 of its nominations including best picture, director, adapted screenplay, editing, set decoration, costume design, makeup, original score, original song, sound mixing and visual effects.

Titanic - 11

The story of a romance torn apart by the Titanic ship’s fate, this 1997 James Cameron classic starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet matched the 11-Oscar record taking home best picture, director, cinematography, set decoration, costume design, film editor, score, song, sound, sound effects editing and visual effects.

Ben-Hur - 11

“Ben-Hur” shows what happens when a Jewish prince, whose Roman friend betrayed him and put him into slavery, is hungry for revenge. The 1959 film was the first to win 11 Oscars, for best picture, director, actor, supporting actor, cinematography (color), set decoration (color), costume design (color), film editing, score, sound and special effects.

West Side Story - 10

This 1961 classic featuring Rita Moreno portrays the classic “Romeo and Juliet” story through a modernized New York city lens. It took home 10 Oscars for best picture, director, supporting actor, supporting actress, cinematography (color), set decoration (color), costume design (color), film editing, score and sound.

The English Patient - 9

A World War II plane crash survivor starts having flashbacks that uncover a love affair as he is taken care of by a young nurse. The 1996 romance, directed by Anthony Minghella, scored nine wins for best picture, director, supporting actress, cinematography, set decoration, costume design, film editing, score and sound.

The Last Emperor - 9

Unsurprisingly, the 1987 film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci tells the story of the last emperor of China, and it won all nine of its nominations for best picture, director, adapted screenplay, cinematography, set decoration, costume design, film editing, score and sound.

Gigi - 9

“Gigi” (1958) shows the blossoming friendship relationship between a wealthy playboy and a training courtesan. The Vincente Minnelli musical took home nine wins for its nine nominations including best picture, director, adapted screenplay, cinematography (color), set decoration, costume design, film editing, score and original song.

Slumdog Millionaire - 8

When a teenager from the Mumbai slums is featured on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” and gets arrested for potential cheating, his past becomes clearer. The most Oscar-awarded work in recent years, this 2008 film scored eight for best picture, director, adapted screenplay, cinematography, film editing, score, song and sound mixing.

Amadeus - 8

Milos Forman’s film tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his fierce rival, composer Antonio Salieri. The 1984 film won eight Academy Awards for best picture, director, actor, adapted screenplay, set decoration, costume design, sound and makeup.

Gandhi - 8

Telling the story of the acclaimed Indian anti-colonial nationalist and political leader who emphasized nonviolence, this 1982 film directed by Richard Attenborough scored eight wins for best picture, director, actor, original screenplay, cinematography, set decoration, costume design and film editing.

Cabaret - 8

Directed by Bob Fosse, the musical tells the story of Sally Bowles, a promiscuous American performer in in Berlin during the Nazi rise to power. “Cabaret” (1972) scored the most wins of any film that hasn’t won best picture, and took home eight Oscars for director, actress, supporting actor, set decoration, film editing, score and sound.

My Fair Lady - 8

The musical classic tells the story of an arrogant professor who believes he can turn a working-class girl into a member of high society. This 1964 George Cukor film won eight Oscars for best picture, director, actor, cinematography (color), set decoration (color), costume design (color), score and sound.

On the Waterfront - 8

In Elia Kazan’s classic crime drama “On the Waterfront,” Marlon Brando plays a former prizefighter who has to stand up to his union bosses, which happen to include his older brother. The 1954 film scored wins for best picture, director, actor, supporting actress, screenplay, cinematography (black and white), set decoration (black and white) and film editing.

From Here to Eternity - 8

“From Here to Eternity” (1953) takes place in 1941 Hawaii as a private receives punishment and a captain’s wife and second-in-command fall for each other. The film won eight Oscars for best picture, director, supporting actor, supporting actress, screenplay, cinematography (black and white), film editing and sound.

Gone With the Wind - 8

“Gone With the Wind” shows a passionate romance between a Southern belle and a blockade runner taking place amid the Civil War and Reconstruction period. The 1939 film has been met with controversy for its inaccurate depictions of slavery though it received eight Oscars in its time for best picture, director, actress, supporting actress, screenplay, cinematography (color), art direction and film editing, as well as an honorary Oscar for the William Cameron Menzies’s achievement in the use of color and the technical achievement award.

Gravity - 7

The 2013 film shows two astronauts struggling to survive after being stranded in space. “Gravity” won seven Oscars for directing, cinematography, film editing, score, sound editing, sound mixing and visual effects, making Alfonso Cuarón the first Hispanic and Mexican person to take home the directing prize.

Shakespeare in Love - 7

Facing writers’ block and broke, a young William Shakespeare meets the muse to inspire his greatest work in John Madden’s 1998 film starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. After a heated season of Oscar campaigning, “Shakespeare in Love” took home seven Oscars for best picture, actress, supporting actress, screenplay, set decoration, costume design and score.

Schindler's List - 7

Witnessing his Jewish workforce being terrorized by Nazis in occupied Poland in World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler must make a decision with people’s lives at stake. The 1993 Steven Spielberg film won seven Oscars for best picture, director, screenplay, cinematography, set decoration, film editing and score.

Dances With Wolves - 7

Kevin Costner’s directing debut tells the story of Lieutenant John Dunbar, a Union soldier who transfers to a remote outpost during the Civil War and develops a growing rapport with the nearby Sioux tribe. The 1990 Western won seven Oscars for best picture, director, screenplay, cinematography, sound, editing and score.

Out of Africa - 7

“Out of Africa” (1985) depicts a colonial Kenya in the 1900s where a Danish plantation owner, played by Meryl Streep, falls in love with a big-game hunter, played by Robert Redford. The sweeping Sydney Pollack romance took home seven Academy Awards for best picture, director, screenplay, cinematography, set decoration, sound and score.

The Sting - 7

“The Sting” (1970) revolves around 1930s grifters, played by Paul Newman and Robert Redford, attempting to pull off a big-time con. The George Roy Hill caper film took home seven Oscars for best picture, director, screenplay, set decoration, costume design, film editing and score.

Patton - 7

George C. Scott stars in the 1970 biopic about controversial American general George S. Patton during World War II. It received seven Oscars for best picture, actor, director, screenplay, set decoration, sound and film editing.

Lawrence of Arabia - 7

The 1962 David Lean historical epic tells the story of English officer T.E. Lawrence, who led Arab tribes in fighting the Turks in World War I. Receiving seven Academy Awards, the film won best picture, director, cinematography (color), set decoration (color), sound, film editing and score.

The Bridge on the River Kwai - 7

The Best Years of Our Lives - 7

“The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946) shows World War II veterans coming home to the Midwest only to find that their families have been changed. It won seven Academy Awards for best picture, actor, supporting actor, director, screenplay, film editing and score, as well as an honorary award to Harold Russell.

Going My Way - 7

The 1944 musical comedy revolves around a priest who joins a Manhattan parish only to be met by skepticism from another father. “Going My Way” received seven Oscars for best picture, actor, supporting actor, director, writing (original story), writing (screenplay) and song.

Everything Everywhere All at Once - 7

After gathering up most of the trophies at earlier awards ceremonies, The Daniels’ “Everything Everywhere All at Once” swept the 2023 Oscars with seven wins, for best picture, best actress, best supporting actor and actress, best director, best editing and original screenplay.