Film awards are more than just trophies; they’re a major milestone for any movie! Recognitions like the Academy Awards (aka the Oscars), Golden Globes, and BAFTAs honor the standout performances, direction, storytelling, and visuals that define our favorite films.
Winning just one award can put a film on the map, but there are a few films that couldn’t seem to stop winning them! You might be surprised to see which films stole hearts worldwide, from epic dramas to captivating musicals!
Join us as Plaza Electronics & Appliances takes a look at the cinematic masterpieces that have set the gold standard for film excellence!
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a cinematic masterpiece that brought J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy to life. As the trilogy's final installment, it achieved unprecedented success at major film awards for groundbreaking visuals, compelling storytelling, and overall cinematic excellence, solidifying its place in film history.
- Academy Awards: 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director.
- Golden Globes: 4 Golden Globes, including Best Picture – Drama.
- BAFTAs: 5 BAFTAs, including Best Film.
- Other Awards: Numerous Critics’ Choice Awards, Saturn Awards, and more.
2. Titanic
Another film that swept up awards, like candy from a piñata, is Titanic, the James Cameron classic. Set against the backdrop of the infamous RMS Titanic's ill-fated maiden voyage, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon when released in 1997 — and the critics agreed!
- Academy Awards: 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director.
- Golden Globes: 4 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.
- BAFTAs: 2 BAFTAs, including Best Sound and Best Production Design.
- Other Awards: Various honors from the Directors Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, and others.
3. Ben-Hur
One of the most iconic films that swept up awards is Ben-Hur, directed by William Wyler. Released in 1959, this epic historical drama set new standards for filmmaking with its grand scale and impressive production values, becoming a significant cultural touchstone.
- Academy Awards: 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor.
- Golden Globes: 3 Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture – Drama.
- BAFTAs: 1 BAFTA for Best Actor (Charlton Heston).
- Other Awards: Various accolades from the Directors Guild of America and more!
4. La La Land
A film that danced its way into award history is La La Land, directed by Damien Chazelle. This modern musical, featuring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, enchanted audiences and critics with its vibrant homage to classic Hollywood musicals. Released in 2016, La La Land quickly became a cultural phenomenon and a critical darling.
- Academy Awards: 6 Oscars including Best Director, Best Actress.
- Golden Globes: 7 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
- BAFTAs: 5 BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Director.
- Other Awards: Numerous Critics’ Choice Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and more.
5. Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire is a rags-to-riches story that charmed audiences and critics alike. Directed by Danny Boyle, this 2008 film follows Jamal Malik, a young man from the slums of Mumbai, who unexpectedly wins big on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. The film's innovative narrative and powerful performances won it many prestigious awards.
- Academy Awards: 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director.
- Golden Globes: 4 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.
- BAFTAs: 7 BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Director.
- Other Awards: Numerous Critics’ Choice Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and more.
6. Schindler’s List
A landmark film that swept through award ceremonies is Schindler’s List, directed by Steven Spielberg. This powerful historical drama, which chronicles the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust, left an indelible mark on cinema and society.
- Academy Awards: 7 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director.
- Golden Globes: 3 Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture – Drama.
- BAFTAs: 7 BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Director.
- Other Awards: Numerous Critics’ Choice Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and more.
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
During the 1975 awards season, one film took the cake and ate it too — One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest! Directed by Miloš Forman, this drama starred Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a man who pretends to be insane to serve his sentence in a mental institution rather than prison and clashes with the tyrannical Nurse Ratched.
- Academy Awards: 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress.
- Golden Globes: 6 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.
- BAFTAs: 6 BAFTAs, including Best Film Best Director.
- Other Awards: Numerous Critics’ Choice Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and more.
8. Gandhi
Few films have managed to capture the essence of a historical figure as profoundly as Gandhi, directed by Richard Attenborough. This 1982 biographical epic takes us through Mahatma Gandhi's life, whose non-violent resistance philosophy led India to independence from British rule.
- Academy Awards: 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor.
- Golden Globes: 5 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.
- BAFTAs: 5 BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Actor.
- Other Awards: Numerous Critics’ Choice Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and more.
9. The Artist
Stepping back into the silent film era, The Artist, directed by Michel Hazanavicius, is a movie that charmed audiences and critics alike. Released in 2011, this black-and-white silent film pays homage to Hollywood’s golden age, telling the story of a silent film actor grappling with the advent of talkies.
- Academy Awards: 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor.
- Golden Globes: 3 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
- BAFTAs: 7 BAFTAs including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor.
- Other Awards: Numerous Critics’ Choice Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and more.
Lights, Camera, Awards!
From epic fantasies and historical dramas to modern musicals and silent films, these cinematic masterpieces have captured the hearts of both audiences and critics alike. So, if you’re ready to bring the magic of these award-winning films into your home, make sure you have a TV and home theater setup worthy of such classics!
And Plaza Electronics & Appliances has the upgrade you’ve been waiting for — pop by or see our stock online! You’ll find plenty of brand names with the latest tech to make your TV-watching experience feel new and exciting!