Top 10 Oscar-Winning Movies You Must Watch [2025] (2025)

The Oscar Awards: Celebrating Cinematic Excellence

The Academy Awards, widely known as the Oscars, are the film industry’s highest honor. Since their inception in 1929, they have recognized outstanding achievements in filmmaking across categories like Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

Winning an Oscar is often seen as the ultimate mark of excellence, cementing a film’s impact on audiences and critics alike.

Let’s explore the top 10 Oscar-winning movies that have defined cinema history with their exceptional storytelling, performances, and direction!

List of Best Oscar-Winning Movies

10: On the Waterfront

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 8

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Best Director
• Best Writing, Screenplay
• Best Cinematography, Black-and-White
• Best Sound, Recording
• Best Film Editing

Directed by: Elia Kazan

Genre: Crime Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 108 minutes

Box Office: $9.6 Million

Release Date: July 28, 1954

On the Waterfront(1954) is a gripping crime drama that follows Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando), a former boxer entangled in a corrupt labor union controlled by ruthless mob boss Johnny Friendly. Set among the dockworkers of Hoboken, New Jersey, the film highlights themes of corruption, morality, and the fight for justice in the face of oppression.

A critical and commercial triumph, On the Waterfront won eight Oscar Awards. With its raw realism, powerful storytelling, and enduring cultural impact, the film remains a defining classic of American cinema and one of the best Oscar-winning movies.

9: From Here to Eternity

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 8

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Best Director
• Best Writing, Screenplay
• Best Cinematography, Black-and-White
• Best Sound, Recording
• Best Film Editing

Directed by: Fred Zinnemann

Cast: Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, and Frank Sinatra

Genre: Romantic War Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 118 minutes

Box Office: $30.5 Million

Release Date: August 5, 1953

From Here to Eternity (1953) is a powerful romantic war drama based on James Jones’ 1951 novel. Set in Hawaii before the Pearl Harbor attack, the film’s storyline revolves around the lives of three soldiers as they navigate love, duty, and the harsh realities of military life.

A landmark in American cinema, the film is renowned for its emotional depth, compelling characters, and iconic performances—including the legendary beach kiss scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr.

At the Academy Awards, it won eight Oscars. In 2002, the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry, recognizing its cultural and historical significance.

8: The English Patient

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 9

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Best Director
• Best Cinematography
• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
• Best Costume Design
• Best Sound
• Best Film Editing
• Best Music, Original Dramatic Score

Directed by: Anthony Minghella

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas, Naveen Andrews, Colin Firth, Julian Wadham, and Jürgen Prochnow

Genre: Romantic War Drama

Original Language: English, German, Italian, Arabic

Running Time: 162 minutes

Box Office: $232 million

Release Date: November 15, 1996

The English Patient (1996) is a haunting romantic war drama that unravels the memories of a mysteriously burned man, revealing a passionate love affair set against the backdrop of World War II. Exploring themes of love, identity, and loss, the film masterfully weaves past and present into an emotionally charged narrative.

Praised for its breathtaking cinematography and Gabriel Yared’s evocative score, The English Patient became a critical and commercial triumph.

At the Academy Awards, it won nine Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, solidifying its place as one of the most acclaimed films of the 1990s. Its intricate storytelling and rich performances continue to leave a lasting cultural impact.

7: The Last Emperor

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 9

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
• Best Cinematography
• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
• Best Costume Design
• Best Sound
• Best Film Editing
• Best Music, Original Score

Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci

Cast: John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole, Ying Ruocheng, Victor Wong, Dennis Dun, and Ryuichi Sakamoto

Genre: Biographical, Drama and History

Original Language: English, Mandarin, Japanese

Running Time: 163 minutes

Box Office: $44 Million

Release Date: October 4, 1987

The Last Emperor (1987) is an epic biographical drama chronicling the life of Puyi, China’s final emperor. Adapted from his autobiography, the film follows his extraordinary journey—from being crowned as a child ruler to his fall from power, imprisonment, and eventual rehabilitation under Communist rule.

Renowned for its breathtaking cinematography and historical depth, The Last Emperor made history as the first Western film granted permission to shoot inside Beijing’s Forbidden City.

Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, an acclaimed name among the top French film directors, known for his visually stunning and emotionally profound storytelling, the film reflects his signature style of grand, poetic narratives. His works often revolve around the themes of power, identity, and political transformation, making The Last Emperor one of his most celebrated achievements.

A critical and commercial triumph, it is one of the best Oscar-winning movies, covering nine categories. Its sweeping success solidifies it as one of the greatest Oscar-winning historical films of all time.

6: Gigi

Directed by: Vincente Minnelli

Cast: Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Gingold, Eva Gabor, Jacques Bergerac, and Isabel Jeans

Genre: Musical and Romantic Comedy

Original Language: English

Running Time: 115 minutes

Box Office: $13.2 Million

Released on: May 15, 1958

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 9

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
• Best Cinematography, Color
• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White or Color
• Best Costume Design, Black-and-White or Color
• Best Film Editing
• Best Music, Original Song
• Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture

Gigi (1958) is a charming musical romantic comedy based on Colette’s 1944 novella. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the film is set in 1900s Paris during the Belle Époque, a period of elegance and societal change.

It follows the evolving relationship between a wealthy playboy and a courtesan-in-training, whose platonic friendship challenges the expectations of high society.

Renowned for its lavish cinematography, elegant costumes, and unforgettable songs, Gigi became one of MGM’s last great musicals. At the 31st Oscar Awards, it swept the competition, winning nine Oscars. Its legacy continues to shine as a defining masterpiece of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

5: Gone With the Wind

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 10

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Actress in a Leading Role
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Best Director
• Best Writing, Screenplay
• Best Cinematography, Color
• Best Art Direction
• Best Film Editing
• Best Picture
• Honorary Award
• Technical Achievement Award

Directed by: Victor Fleming

Cast: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, and Olivia de Havilland

Genre: Epic Historical Romance

Original Language: English

Running Time: 221 minutes

Box Office: $390 million

Release Date: December 15, 1939

Gone with the Wind (1939) is a sweeping historical drama that follows Scarlett O’Hara’s journey through love, loss, and survival during the phase of American Civil War and Reconstruction. Against the backdrop of war and societal upheaval, Scarlett’s resilience and romantic entanglements define one of cinema’s most unforgettable characters.

Renowned for its breathtaking cinematography, grand storytelling, and Max Steiner’s iconic score, the film became a monumental success. At the 12th Academy Awards, it won eight Oscars, making history with Hattie McDaniel’s win as the first Black actor to receive an Academy Award.

Despite its controversial themes, Gone with the Wind remains a significant cinematic achievement, with a lasting influence on film history.

4: West Side Story

Directed by: Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins

Cast: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris

Genre: Musical and Romantic Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 152 minutes

Box Office: $44.1 Million

Release Date: October 18, 1961

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 10

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Best Director
• Best Cinematography, Color
• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color
• Best Costume Design, Color
• Best Sound
• Best Film Editing
• Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture

West Side Story (1961) is a landmark American film adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical. Set in New York City, it tells the tragic tale of two young lovers caught between rival street gangs (Jets and the Sharks).

As tensions rise, their romance sparks a chain of events leading to heartbreak and violence. With dynamic choreography, Leonard Bernstein’s iconic music, and powerful social themes, the film redefined the musical genre.

A massive critical and commercial success, West Side Story won 10 Oscar Awards, including Best Picture, making it one of the most awarded musicals in history. In recognition of its cultural significance, it was added to the National Film Registry in 1997. Decades later, it remains one of the greatest Oscar-winning films of all time.

3: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, and David Wenham

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, and Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 201 minutes

Box Office: $1.151 Billion

Release Date: December 18, 2003

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 11

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
• Best Film Editing
• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
• Best Costume Design
• Best Makeup
• Best Music, Original Score
• Best Music, Original Song
• Best Sound Mixing
• Best Visual Effects

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) is the epic conclusion to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic novels. The movie follows Frodo and Sam as they journey to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, while Aragorn, Gandalf, and their allies wage war against Sauron’s forces.

This Oscar-winning movie set new standards for fantasy cinema with breathtaking visuals, a powerful score, and an emotionally gripping narrative.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King set new standards for fantasy cinema, captivating audiences with its breathtaking battle sequences and groundbreaking visual effects.

From the seamless integration of CGI creatures to the epic landscapes of Middle-earth, the film showcased cutting-edge technology that revolutionized the industry.

A box office juggernaut, the film grossed over $1.1 billion globally, making it the highest-grossing film of 2003. At the Oscar Awards, it achieved a historic sweep, winning 11 Oscars. Its monumental success solidified The Return of the King as one of the greatest Oscar-winning films of all time.

2: Titanic

Directed by: James Cameron

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, David Warner, and Bill Paxton

Genre: Romance, Drama, and Disaster

Original Language: English

Running Time: 195 minutes

Box Office: $2.264 Billion

Release Date: December 19, 1997

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 11

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
• Best Cinematography
• Best Sound
• Best Costume Design
• Best Film Editing
• Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing
• Best Effects, Visual Effects
• Best Music, Original Song
• Best Music, Original Dramatic Score

Titanic (1997) is an epic romantic disaster film that masterfully blends historical events with fiction. This movie was a landmark in the works of James Cameron, adding his name to one of the most popular Canadian movie directors.

Set during the ill-fated 1912 voyage of the RMS Titanic, it follows the passionate love story of Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a penniless artist, and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), an upper-class passenger trapped in a forced engagement. Their romance unfolds against the backdrop of one of history’s most tragic maritime disasters.

A groundbreaking cinematic achievement, Titanic was praised for its stunning visuals, emotional depth, and powerful performances. It dominated the Oscar Awards, winning 11 Oscars.

With a global box office of $2.2 billion, Titanic became one of the highest-grossing films of all time, cementing its status as a cultural and cinematic masterpiece.

1: Ben-Hur

Directed by: William Wyler

Cast: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott, Cathy O’Donnell, and Sam Jaffe

Genre: Epic, Drama, and Historical

Original Language: English

Running Time: 212 minutes

Box Office: $146.9 million

Release Date: November 18, 1959

Number of Oscar Awards Won:. 11

Categories of Oscar Awards Won:

• Best Picture
• Best Actor in a Leading Role
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Best Director
• Best Cinematography, Color
• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color
• Best Costume Design, Color
• Best Sound
• Best Film Editing
• Best Effects, Special Effects
• Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture

Ben-Hur (1959) is a legendary epic based on Lew Wallace’s novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Starring Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur, the film follows a Jewish prince’s quest for vengeance after being betrayed by his Roman friend, Messala.

His journey—from brutal galley slavery to the iconic chariot race—is a gripping tale of hardship, redemption, and faith.

A milestone in cinematic history, Ben-Hur was the most expensive film of its time, featuring grand sets, thousands of extras, and a breathtaking nine-minute chariot race that remains one of Hollywood’s greatest action sequences.

The film made history at the Academy Awards, winning 11 Oscars. Its masterful storytelling, groundbreaking production, and historical significance cement its status as one of the greatest Oscar-winning movies of all time.

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