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.
#15. 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
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.
#8. From Here to Eternity
Oscar Wins: 8
Oscar Nominations: 13
Release Year: 1953
#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.
