Oscar night 2024 is nearly here! After a massive year for movies, thanks tobig screen events such as Barbenheimer, Hollywood’s biggest night is already gearing up to be quite the competition withOppenheimer,Poor Things, andKillers of the Flower Moonall closely aligned with their nominations. Yet, even with all their potential accolades, there remain three films that are so impressive, they still share therecord for the most Oscar nominations.
What Three Movies Have the Most Oscar Nominations?
Released decades apart,All About Eve,Titanic, andLa La Landall earned 14 Oscar nominations. Generally speaking, none of the films are of the same genre, style or level of excitement.Eveis a classic film released in 1950, starring one of the all-time great stars,Bette Davis. While it is consideredone of the greatest “behind the scenes” films of all time, the film is humbled when compared toJames Cameron’s epic-romance,Titanic, which itself is vastly contrasted from the dreamlike, musical world ofLa La Land. So how did these three films manage to wow Academy members enough to each garner such equal honors? From varied specifics regarding their nominations to the unique aspects of each film and the unseen methods that connect each film, the answer is not as black-and-white as the Davis-led classic.
‘Titanic’s Success Was Full of Controversy
ThoughAll About Eve,Titanic, andLa La Landall share the record number of Oscar nominations, their specific lists and wins vary greatly.Evewas part of the23rd Annual Academy Awards Ceremony. Held on July 30, 2025, the film received nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Mixing, two for Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography (black-and-white), Best Art Direction (black-and-white), Best Film Editing, Best Director, two for Best Actress, and Best Picture. The film walked away with six awards, including Best Picture.
The power ofTitaniccannot be understated. To date,it remains one of the most successful films ever made. Brought to the big screen by visionary director James Cameron, the epic romance set aboard a doomed ocean liner had movie goers enamored, raking in more than $1.8 billion,according to Box Office Mojo.The film was the first to tieAll About Eve’s 14 nominations. While there were some category crossover,Titanicgarnereda few designationsthat were unique to its list, including Best Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.Its screenplay did not receive a nomination, and only two of its players received nods for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Still, the film managed to sweep the night with 11 wins, including Best Picture and Best Director for Cameron, who proclaimed he was “King of the world.”
According toThe Hollywood Reporter,Titanic’s Oscar success was an uphill battle. Despite the film’s massive success in theaters, the now-disgraced Hollywood producer,Harvey Weinstein, was determined that Miramax was going to take home the award for Best Picture. According to THR,Weinstein made his people aggressively campaign againstTitanic. Try as Miramax might,Titanicwas the year’s big winner. 2017’s categories werefilled with nominationsforLa La Land. LikeTitanic, it had a number of unique considerations, including Best Original Score and Best Original Screenplay. LikeEve, the original record holder, it walked away with six wins, for Best Original Song, Score, Production Design, Directing, Cinematography, and Lead Actress. Of the three films, however, it is the only one to not win Best Picture, for which it was also nominated, losing to the groundbreaking, romantic-thriller,Moonlight.
These Three Movies Are More Similar Than You’d Think
In terms of genre and story, the three films could not be more different.All About Eveis a dynamic drama that follows the anxieties of an aging actress on the verge of being replaced by her conniving prodigy.Titanicis a sweepingRomeo & Julietstory set on the infamous ship.La La Landis an enchanting musical that follows an aspiring actress who begins an encouraging romance with a jazz pianist. On paper, it’s puzzling that these three films should share such a unique record in film history. However, a deep dive into the screenplays and structures of each film reveals that they are far more similar than they appear in a press release.
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Each film has an element of spectacle.Titanicused larger than life movie making to recreate the horrific events of the terrible sinking.Director James Cameron’s intense methodsare well documented, but have often produced incredible results.Titanicis a cornerstone of his creativity and laid the way for the director’s enduringAvatar franchise.La La Landmay be a smaller scale love story thanTitanic, but it’s certainly filled with plenty of dazzling sequences. From the gorgeous production design to the sweeping, award-winning score,La La Landis equally enchanting, no sinking ship required. Then, there’sAll About Eve. The most modest of the movies, it’s hard not to be pulled into the classic Hollywood glamour that is the film.The film is set in old-time Broadway theaters and populated with beloved Hollywood royalty. The costumes are stunning and, though there are no dance sequences or submerged sets, the cinematography is nothing short of glamorous.
The final shot of the film is particularly stunning, and also a masterpiece of storytelling. After the villainous Eve has managed to surpass Davis’ Margo in the New York theater scene, a fan of Eve’s breaks into her apartment with hopes of meeting her. When Eve leaves the room, thenewaspiring actress picks up Eve’s award and stares into a series of mirrors, where she’s reflected all around.Not only does it foreshadow Eve’s upcoming downfall, it serves as a reminder that acting is a fickle career and that there’s always someone new ready to replace the old. The film serves as a reminder that there is always a place for a good story and a bit of spectacle in the world of movies.
At first glance, it’s surprising thatAll About Eve,Titanic, andLa La Landshould share the record for the mostOscar nominations. However, the specifics of their honors are as unique as the film’s. And when one digs deeper, the movies aren’t all that different after all.They each contain gripping character stories and use their genres to create a spellbinding spectacle. It’s safe to say that these movies will continue to delight viewers for decades to come.
The Oscarswill air on ABC live on Sunday, March 10.
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