From romantic comedies to sci-fi epics, the Academy Awards have celebrated the greatest movies of all time, awarding the best of the best with an Oscar. Around the world, movie fans everywhere debate, discuss, and celebrate all the films of this prestigious award. Here, we explore the most Oscar-nominated films of all time. Hold tight and get ready to explore incredible filmmaking masterpieces!
Overview of Oscar-Nominated Films
The Academy Awards, sometimes simply called the Oscars, is an annual award ceremony that honors artists and professionals in the filmmaking industry. Established in 1924, the Oscars boast a long and distinguished history. They recognize excellence in both production and acting, as well as composition, cinematography, and other elements of a motion picture.
Since 1924, over 1,000 films have earned an Oscar nomination. This includes major blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings and Titanic, as well as critically acclaimed films like The Godfather and Schindler’s List. Spanning the entire history of filmmaking, this list of Oscar-nominated films is an incredible array of talent, artistry, and cinematic achievement.
Top 10 Oscar-Nominated Films
- All About Eve (1950): 14 Oscar Nominations
Joseph Mankiewicz directed All About Eve, starring Bette Davis and Anne Baxter in a bitter battle of wits between two women vying for the same role. Considered a classic of the golden age of Hollywood, this film earned 14 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
- Titanic (1997): 14 Oscar Nominations
James Cameron’s romantic epic Titanic earned critical acclaim for its powerful story and technical wizardry, and it went on to earn a whopping 14 Oscar nominations, winning 11. With the iconic tagline “Never let go,” it remains one of the most popular films of all time.
- La La Land (2016): 14 Oscar Nominations
This musical romantic comedy focuses on love, ambition, and sacrifice. This critically acclaimed film stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone as two lovers who are both struggling to make their dreams come true. La La Land netted 14 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor and Actress.
- Ben-Hur (1959): 11 Oscar Nominations
William Wyler’s epic Ben-Hur tells the story of a Jewish prince must seek revenge on his former friend, a powerful Roman. The film was a box office success and earned 11 Academy Award nominations, winning eight, including Best Picture.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003): 11 Oscar Nominations
Directed by Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a classic of epic fantasy filmmaking. The third and final installment, The Return of the King, collected 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It became the first fantasy film to win the award for Best Picture.
- The Aviator (2004): 11 Oscar Nominations
Martin Scorsese directed this biopic about the life of the eccentric aviator and filmmaker Howard Hughes. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film earned 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
- The Shape of Water (2017): 13 Oscar Nominations
Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed fantasy film tells the tale of a mute janitor who falls in love with a sea creature. It earned 13 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, and won four awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
- West Side Story (1961): 11 Oscar Nominations
This groundbreaking musical follows two rival gangs in New York City’s Upper West Side, against a backdrop of gang warfare and racial tension. Featuring music composed by Leonard Bernstein and conducted by Irwin Kostal, West Side Story earned 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.
- Gravity (2013): 10 Oscar Nominations
Alfonso Cuarón’s sci-fi thriller stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as two astronauts struggling to stay alive after the destruction of their space shuttle. The film earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Cinematography.
- The English Patient (1996): 12 Oscar Nominations
This romantic drama follows a POW and a nurse in an Italian villa during World War II. Directed by Anthony Minghella and starring Ralph Fiennes, The English Patient won nine Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. It earned 12 Oscar nominations in total.
Other Notable Oscar-Nominated Films
The above list features some of the most Oscar-nominated films of all time, however, there are many other movies that have won accolades at the Academy Awards. Notable mentions include:
• Amadeus (1984): 11 nominations, 8 wins
• Out of Africa (1985): 11 nominations, 7 wins
• Forrest Gump (1994): 13 nominations, 6 wins
• Braveheart (1995): 10 nominations, 5 wins
• Chicago (2002): 12 nominations, 6 wins
• No Country for Old Men (2007): 8 nominations, 4 wins
• The Departed (2006): 5 nominations, 4 wins
• Slumdog Millionaire (2008): 10 nominations, 8 wins
• The Hurt Locker (2009): 9 nominations, 6 wins
• The Artist (2011): 10 nominations, 5 wins
• Argo (2012): 7 nominations, 3 wins
The Academy Awards has recognized the best of the best in filmmaking since 1924. This list of Oscar-nominated films is an impressive catalog of masterful storytelling, dazzling performances, and artistic vision. From Hitchcock’s romance to Cameron’s 3D spectacle, the target has always been the same—to identify and honor the most outstanding, innovative, and unforgettable films of all time.