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Winning an Oscar is a dream for many filmmakers, actors, and writers. But most celebrated films and talented artists go their entire careers without being able to fulfill that dream. However, lucky are those who have managed to earn a place in the elite category of films that have achieved something truly extraordinary—the Big 5.
Well, this term refers to movies that win the five most prestigious Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay (either Original or Adapted). Throughout the long history of the Oscars, only three films have managed to pull off this rare feat. So today, we’re ranking these legendary movies based on their impact and lasting legacies.
3.It Happened One Night(1934)
Winning an Oscar is an extraordinary achievement, but winning five of the most prestigious Academy Awards is almost unheard of. However, the 1934 movieIt Happened One Nightmanaged to achieve the rare accomplishment of winning 5 Oscars. Well, why won’t it, considering how Frank Capra is often credited for shaping the romantic comedy genre as we know it today?
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Being the first ever movie in the history of Oscar to achieve the Big 5, the romantic drama set the template that countless rom-coms have followed ever since. Considering how most of the famous and modern-day rom-coms use the celebrated tropes of enemies-to-lovers, musical moments, runaway brides, and such—all of these can be traced back to the 1934 movie. Believe it or not, this movie had it all.
The film follows the journey of a spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert), who runs away from her controlling father and ends up crossing paths with out-of-work journalist Peter Warne (Clark Gable). The two embark on a road trip filled with misadventures, witty banter, and growing romantic tension. So much so, that the movie even broke barriers with multiple mentions of s-x, a risky scene of Colbert lifting her skirt, and Gable’s shirtlessness.
Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert’s on-screen chemistry is electric. Filmmaker Frank Capra’s vision and direction revolutionized Hollywood’s storytelling forever. And the screenplay was beyond extraordinary considering the era it was released. So it goes without saying that althoughIt Happened One Nightwas released nearly a century ago, the movie ended up being a timeless classic that shaped the romantic genre.
Every romantic comedy that follows the “opposites attract” trope or the “road trip adventure” theme owes something to this film. However, although the movie remains a vital part of the cinematic revolution, it seems to have lost its charm among modern audiences, who are now accustomed to the tropes that this movie first introduced. So in terms of relatability,It Happened One Nightseems to have lost its charm, and therefore stands in the third position on our list.
It Happened One Nightis currently available to watch on Prime Video.
2.The Silence Of The Lambs(1991)
Horror movies rarely get the recognition they deserve at the Academy Awards, often dismissed as mere sources of entertainment rather than serious art. However,Jonathan Demme’sThe Silence of the Lambsbroke that stereotype. This chilling psychological thriller not only redefined the horror genre, but also won the Big 5, and went on to become a cultural phenomenon.
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StarringJodie Fosterand Anthony Hopkins in their career’s best performances as Clarice Starling and Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the 1991 movie narrates the tale of an FBI trainee who takes the help of the brilliant but cannibalistic serial killer to catch another murderer, Buffalo Bill. Thisparticular dynamicbetween Clarice and Lecter is what elevated this film beyond the typical crime thriller.
The conversation between them turns out to be intense, unsettling, and filled with psychological depth. This later transformedAnthony Hopkinsinto one of the most haunting villains in cinematic history, leading him to reprise his role inHannibal(2001) andRed Dragon(2002). Overall, the director’s approach to the material with his artistic vision, turned the horror into more psychological than graphic.
Also, there’s no denying how the screenplay, adapted from Thomas Harris’s novel, turned out to be super enticing, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, from start to finish. Not to mention Jodie Foster’s performance as Clarice Starling was quite unforgettable. So eventually, these are all the aspects that turnedThe Silence of the Lambsinto one of themost influential psychological thrillersever made, even three decades later.
And in terms of popularity, whether you’ve seen the movie or not, there’s not a movie buff, or even a casual theatergoer who hasn’t heard its name. Considering how the film redefined the horror-thriller genre, proving that even films like this can earn both critically acclaimed as well as commercial success,The Silence of the Lambsacquired second place on our list for its timeless popularity.
The Silence of the Lambsiscurrently available to watch on Prime Video.
1.One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest(1975)
Finally, at the top of our ranking isOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,a film that not only won the Big 5 but also left an everlasting mark on cinematic history. Directed by Miloš Forman, this 1975 adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel managed to throw the spotlight on the effects of authority, the sense of individuality, and the power of the human spirit.
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Narrating the tale of Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a rebellious convict who fakes insanity to escape prison and is sent to a mental institution, the film delves into the controlling nature of asylums and showcases institutional oppression. In the movie, Nicholson’s character is seen clashing with the terrorizing Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), which leads to chaos while inspiring the other patients to reclaim their sense of self.
Jack Nicholson delivered one of the greatest performances in film history, alongside Louise Fletcher’s Nurse Ratched. The actress literally proved to have understood the assignment of villainy. Without raising her voice throughout the movie, the actress turned her character into one of the most terrifying antagonists in cinema, by simply using calculated cruelty. Well, they were both deserving of the recognition they achieved.
Not to mention Miloš Forman’s direction is what makes this film truly unforgettable. Capturing the lifelessness of the mental institution, while simultaneously showcasing the silver lining in rebellion, Forman did justice to Lawrence Hauben & Bo Goldman’s screenplay. But it was the ending of the film that turned out to be the most powerful sequence.
Without spoiling it, all we can say is that the final moments left a lasting impact on audiences, symbolizing both loss and liberation (goosebumps! Guaranteed goosebumps). In the end,One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestbecame more than just a film. It became a deeply moving statement on the human condition, with themes of freedom, power, and resilience that still seem relevant today.
So, while winning the Big 5 was well-deserved, the film’s real legacy lies in its ability to inspire and provoke thought even decades later. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, it’s your cue to finally give it your precious time, you won’t be disappointed.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestiscurrently available to watch on Prime Video.
As well mentioned earlier, winning the Oscars’ Big 5 is a rare achievement, but these three films proved why they deserved it.The Silence of the Lambspushed the boundaries of psychological thrillers,It Happened One Nightdefined romantic comedies, andOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestdelivered one of the most powerful stories of rebellion ever told.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
