20 movies with the highest number of Academy Awards, ranked

The Academy Awards also known as the Oscars are one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies and is presented by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). There are several categories for which this award is given, for example, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, etc. The Oscars were held in 1929 for the first time and are still one of the most coveted awards ceremonies. In this list, we discuss the top 20 movies with the highest number of Academy Award Winners ranked highest to lowest.

1) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – 11

History was made at the 76th Academy Awards in 2004 when Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King received 11 awards for all the 11 nominations that they received. It was the first fantasy film to receive the award of Best Picture having a tie with Ben-Hur(1959) and Titanic(1997). The awards won by the film are Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup, Best Sound Mixing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Film Editing.

2) Titanic - 11

Titanic made history with both its massive critical and commercial success. Pushing the boundaries of visual effects and grabbing 11 Academy Awards at the 70th Academy Awards Ceremony. The awards are proof of this movie’s artistic and technical brilliance that the viewers witnessed. The awards won by the movie Titanic at the Academy Awards are Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects, Best Music- Original Song (My Heart Will Go On), Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Film Editing and Best Costume Design.

3) Ben-Hur - 11

At the 32nd Academy Award Ceremony, Ben-Hur won 11 Academy Awards. The movie has stunning visuals and a powerful story that revolves around betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness. With an elaborate budget, this movie had groundbreaking special effects. Some of the categories that Ben-Hur won at the Academy Awards include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Cinematography.

4) West Side Story – 10

The movie is a modern retelling of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. West Side Story is centered around two rival gangs. Love blossoms amid the tensions and have a tragic ending. West Side Story won 10 Academy Awards. Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Sound etc. This movie has been a cult favorite of its viewers for its timeless exploration of love, prejudice, and social injustice.

5) The English Patient - 9

This movie is a war film that focuses on the themes of love, loss, and the impact of war which is mostly devastating. The poignant theme of the story has won 9 Academy Awards. The movie has powerful visual effects which have been appraised by the viewers. The categories for which the movie won at the Academy Awards include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Music Score, Best Art Direction, Best Sound, and Best Film Editing. Many say that this movie has encouraged filmmakers to make more artistically driven movies.

6) The Last Emperor - 9

The Last Emperor is a movie based on the life of China’s Last Emperor, Pu Yi. The movie has received immense positive reactions from its viewers. The Last Emperor has received 9 Academy Awards. The movie explores the themes of loss of innocence, the impact of Chinese history, and Pu Yi’s search for his own identity. The categories for which the movie won include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Film Editing.

7) Gigi - 9

Gigi is a charming story of a Parisian girl who is groomed by her family to become a courtesan. This is a coming-of-age movie where it questions the idea of arranged marriage. The themes of this movie include love and self-discovery. Gigi is on her journey to find her own path. This movie took away 9 Academy Awards along with immense commercial success. The categories won by Gigi include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Music.

8) Slumdog Millionaire - 8

The 81st Academy Award Ceremony witnessed Slumdog Millionaire winning 8 awards. The movie is based on the life of Jamal Malik, a young man from the slums of India who makes his way to the show called Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The movie's main themes are hope, destiny, and the power of love. The categories for which Slumdog Millionaire won include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Editing.

9) Amadeus - 8

Amadeus is a period drama based on the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The story is told from Antonio Salieri’s perspective who was also a gifted composer. The themes of jealousy, genius, and creativity have been explored in this movie. The movie received 8 Academy Awards for various categories. The categories include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, and Best Sound.

10) Gandhi - 8

Based on the story of the Indian freedom fighter whose leadership played a vital role in the Indian Independence Movement, Gandhi, received 8 Academy Awards. This movie was a landmark film as it brought the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi to a global audience and is perceived by its viewers for its themes. The categories for which Gandhi received Academy Awards are Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, and Best Sound.

11) Cabaret - 8

Cabaret was directed by Bob Fosse. This movie delves into the story of a cabaret singer Sally Bowles. This is a dark and provocative musical set. There are significant themes in the movie such as love and loss, the rise of fascism, and the importance of art. It received 8 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound.

12) My Fair Lady - 8

The movie focuses on the life of Eliza Doolittle and is known to its viewers for its themes of transformation and identity. My Fair Lady received immense appreciation from its viewers along with several accolades. The movie won 8 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound.

13) On The Waterfront - 8

On The Waterfront tells the story of former boxing contender, Terry Malloy who eventually started working as a longshoreman. His life turns upside down when he witnesses the murder of a fellow longshoreman. This movie delves into the themes of corruption and injustice along with redemption and forgiveness. The movie won several accolades including 8 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Story and Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score.

14) From Here To Eternity - 8

This is an American epic war drama film. The film explores the themes of love, war, the human condition, and loss. The movie is considered one of the greatest films by its viewers and won 8 Academy Awards in several categories. The categories for which the movie won include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Cinematography.

15) Gone With The Wind - 8

Gone With The Wind tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara who yearns to marry Ashley Wikes. However, her life takes a turn after the war disrupts throwing her into poverty. This story has several key themes that have been appraised by the viewers such as survival and resilience, love and obsession along with gender roles. The movie is considered a classic and won 8 Academy Awards. Gone With The Wind received awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Film Editing.

16) Gravity - 7

This sci-fi survival movie is based on Dr. Ryan Stone’s struggle to survive in outer space after being stranded. How Dr. Stone uses her ingenuity and dwindling resources to make her way back to Earth has been critically acclaimed and praised by its viewers. The movie received 7 Academy Awards for various categories. The categories for which the movie won are Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Mixing, Best Soun Editing, and Best Visual Effects.

17) Shakespeare In Love - 7

The movie is based on the life of young Shakespeare facing writer's block. Shakespeare In Love revolves around Shakespeare’s struggles while writing his most famous work Romeo and Juliet. The movie has a huge fan base and has received immense critical acclaim. The movie won 7 Academy Awards. The movie won in several categories including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.

18) Schindler's List - 7

Schindler’s List is a movie that tells the true story of businessman Oskar Schindler who changed the lives of many Jewish people. The movie delves into the themes of individual action which can make a huge difference in someone’s life. The movie also delves into the theme of the power of one's conscience. The movie won 7 Academy Awards for various categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Art Direction.

19) Dances With Wolves - 7

In Dances With Wolves, Lieutenant John Dunbar is faced with a difficult choice when he has to choose between his loyalty to his country and his new friendship with the Lakota Sioux Tribe. This movie has the themes of cultural exchange, the impact of Western expansion, and the journey of self-discovery which the audience reportedly enjoyed. The movie won 7 Academy Awards in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Sound.

20) Out Of Africa - 7

Out of Africa is a 1985 movie that tells the story of Karen Blixen who falls in love with hunter Denys Finch Hatton. The movie delves into the themes of love, loss, the impact of colonialism, and the power of storytelling. The movie received immense acclamation from its viewers and received 7 Academy Awards. The categories for which the movie won the Academy Awards are Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Original Score, and Best Sound.