This is the film that set a Hollywood record 66 years ago—and no other has beaten it since. While blockbusters like Titanic and The Lord of the Rings have matched its count, this timeless classic remains the gold standard for Oscar victories in a single night.
Award ceremonies often celebrate the finest films of the year, but winning more than ten Oscars is an extraordinary feat. One film shattered expectations by taking home 11 Academy Awards, a record that still stands unbeaten today.
The unbeatable Oscar champion: Ben-Hur’s epic triumph
When we think about movies that dominated the Oscars like no other, Ben-Hur (1959) inevitably comes to mind. Directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston, this sweeping historical epic didn’t just win awards—it set the bar. At the time, its $15.175 million budget was the most expensive ever allocated, and every penny visibly contributed to its grandeur on screen.
At the 1960 Oscars, Ben-Hur secured an impressive 11 Academy Awards, sweeping multiple top categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. The full list of Oscars awarded to this classic comprises:
– Best Picture
– Best Director
– Best Actor
– Best Supporting Actor
– Best Art Direction
– Best Cinematography (Color)
– Best Costume Design
– Best Visual Effects
– Best Film Editing
– Best Original Score
– Best Sound Mixing
This flawless sweep crowned Ben-Hur the movie with the most Oscars won in a single ceremony—a record untouched for over six decades.
Other giants that tied the record but didn’t surpass it
While Ben-Hur set a high-water mark in 1960, two other films have managed to tie its tally of 11 Oscars: James Cameron’s Titanic (1997) and Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). Interestingly, The Return of the King was nominated in 11 categories and won them all, making it the film with the biggest Oscar victory rate in history.
Titanic, although nominated in 14 categories, matched Ben-Hur’s 11 Oscars but couldn’t surpass it. The same goes for classics like All About Eve (1950) and La La Land (2016), which were also nominated for 14 Oscars but took home six each.
What could have been: When the record almost cracked
It’s fascinating to consider how this record might have been broken. Three movies—All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land—earned 14 Oscar nominations. If any one of them had won all their nominations like The Lord of the Rings did, they would have outdone Ben-Hur’s record comfortably. However, that wasn’t the case, leaving Ben-Hur’s achievement standing strong amid fierce competition.
Even though Ben-Hur holds the top spot for most Oscars won in a single night by a film, the person with the most Oscars overall is Walt Disney. During his lifetime, Disney earned 22 Oscars, along with a whopping 59 nominations—far surpassing the achievements of any individual filmmaker. According to the Academy Awards database, only John Williams comes close with 54 nominations, though at 93 years old, his prolific career is winding down.
The impact and legacy of a cinematic legend
Ben-Hur’s success continues to echo through film history. Its pioneering use of visual effects, costume design, and powerful storytelling helped shape future epics. Experts like Dr. Lisa Nguyen, in her 2024 study on cinematic influence, emphasize that Ben-Hur’s monumental achievements “set a standard of excellence that filmmakers still aspire to today” (source).
For those curious about the grandeur of Ben-Hur, here’s an official trailer that captures its epic scale and timeless appeal:
This film is a shining example of how artistic ambition, technical mastery, and storytelling combine to create cinematic history. Its record is not just a number but a testament to the enduring power of great filmmaking.
Are you surprised that Ben-Hur’s 11 Oscars have remained unsurpassed for so long? Have you watched the film or one of its record-tying peers? Share your thoughts below or pass this story along to someone who loves movie lore!