13 Films With The Most Golden Globe Wins In History

The Golden Globe Awards have recognized some of the greatest achievements in film history, but only a select group of films have truly dominated the night by winning five or more trophies in a single ceremony.

In this article, we break down 13 films that hold the record for the most Golden Globe wins in a single year – from La La Land’s unmatched seven‑award sweep to classics like The Godfather and modern juggernauts like Oppenheimer.

Chapters / Video Timeline

00:00 – Intro
00:23 – La La Land (7 awards)
01:00 – Lawrence of Arabia (6 awards)
01:36 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (6 awards)
02:10 – Midnight Express (6 awards)
02:51 – All the King’s Men (5 awards)
03:19 – Doctor Zhivago (5 awards)
03:53 – The Graduate (5 awards)
04:33 – Love Story (5 awards)
05:09 – The Godfather (5 awards)
05:47 – A Star Is Born (5 awards)
06:23 – Ordinary People (5 awards)
07:04 – Gandhi (5 awards)
07:36 – Oppenheimer (5 awards)

1. La La Land – 7 Golden Globe wins

La La Land is a 2016 American musical romantic comedy‑drama written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film follows a jazz pianist and an aspiring actress pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles while trying to keep their relationship alive.

At the 74th Golden Globe Awards in 2017, La La Land made history by converting all seven of its nominations into wins, becoming the single most awarded film in Golden Globes history.

Golden Globe wins (7):

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Ryan Gosling)
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Emma Stone)
Best Director – Motion Picture (Damien Chazelle)
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Damien Chazelle)
Best Original Score – Motion Picture (Justin Hurwitz)
Best Original Song – “City of Stars” (Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul)

2. Lawrence of Arabia – 6 Golden Globe wins

Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 epic biographical adventure drama directed by David Lean. Based on the life of T. E. Lawrence and his book Seven Pillars of Wisdom, the film chronicles his role in the Arab Revolt during World War I.

At the 20th Golden Globe Awards in 1963, Lawrence of Arabia collected six trophies, underlining its status as one of the defining epics in cinema history.

Golden Globe wins (6):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (Omar Sharif)
Best Director – Motion Picture (David Lean)
Most Promising Newcomer – Male (Peter O’Toole)
Most Promising Newcomer – Male (Omar Sharif)
Best Cinematography – Color (Freddie Young)

The film also earned Golden Globe nominations for Peter O’Toole and Anthony Quinn in the Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama category.

3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – 6 Golden Globe wins

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a 1975 American psychological comedy‑drama directed by Miloš Forman, based on the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey. Set in a psychiatric hospital, it examines power, rebellion and individuality through the battle between Randle McMurphy and Nurse Ratched.

At the 33rd Golden Globe Awards in 1976, the film won all six categories in which it was nominated, mirroring its dominance later at the Oscars.

Golden Globe wins (6):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Jack Nicholson)
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Louise Fletcher)
Best Director – Motion Picture (Miloš Forman)
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Lawrence Hauben, Bo Goldman)
New Star of the Year – Actor (Brad Dourif)

4. Midnight Express – 6 Golden Globe wins

Midnight Express is a 1978 prison drama film directed by Alan Parker and adapted by Oliver Stone from Billy Hayes’s 1977 memoir. The story follows an American student who is arrested for drug smuggling in Turkey and faces brutal conditions in prison.

At the 36th Golden Globe Awards in 1979, Midnight Express earned six awards out of eight nominations, cementing its reputation as a hard‑hitting, controversial drama.

Golden Globe wins (6):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (John Hurt)
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Oliver Stone)
Best Original Score – Motion Picture (Giorgio Moroder)
Best Motion Picture Acting Debut – Male (Brad Davis)
Best Motion Picture Acting Debut – Female (Irene Miracle)

The film also received Golden Globe nominations for Brad Davis (Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama) and Alan Parker (Best Director – Motion Picture).

5. All the King’s Men – 5 Golden Globe wins

All the King’s Men is a 1949 American political drama written, produced and directed by Robert Rossen. Adapted from Robert Penn Warren’s Pulitzer Prize‑winning 1946 novel, it portrays the rise and fall of a populist Southern politician inspired by Huey Long.

At the 8th Golden Globe Awards in 1950, the film won five awards, reflecting both its critical acclaim and its resonance as a portrait of power and corruption.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Director (Robert Rossen)
Best Actor – Drama (Broderick Crawford)
Best Supporting Actress (Mercedes McCambridge)
Most Promising Newcomer – Female (Mercedes McCambridge)

6. Doctor Zhivago – 5 Golden Globe wins

Doctor Zhivago is a 1965 epic historical romance directed by David Lean, with a screenplay by Robert Bolt based on Boris Pasternak’s 1957 novel. Set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution, it follows physician and poet Yuri Zhivago and his complicated love story with Lara.

At the 23rd Golden Globe Awards in 1966, Doctor Zhivago won five of its six nominations, reinforcing David Lean’s reputation as a master of large‑scale, emotionally rich epics.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Omar Sharif)
Best Director – Motion Picture (David Lean)
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Robert Bolt)
Best Original Score – Motion Picture (Maurice Jarre)

Geraldine Chaplin also received a nomination for Most Promising Newcomer – Female.

7. The Graduate – 5 Golden Globe wins

The Graduate is a 1967 American romantic comedy‑drama directed by Mike Nichols, based on Charles Webb’s 1963 novella. It tells the story of Benjamin Braddock, a disillusioned recent graduate who becomes entangled in an affair with an older woman while falling for her daughter.

At the 25th Golden Globe Awards in 1968, the film picked up five awards, capturing the mood of a changing generation.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Anne Bancroft)
Best Director – Motion Picture (Mike Nichols)
Most Promising Newcomer – Male (Dustin Hoffman)
Most Promising Newcomer – Female (Katharine Ross)

The Graduate also earned nominations for Buck Henry and Calder Willingham (Best Screenplay – Motion Picture) and for Dustin Hoffman (Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy).

8. Love Story – 5 Golden Globe wins

Love Story is a 1970 American romantic drama directed by Arthur Hiller and adapted by Erich Segal from his own novel. The film centers on the tragic relationship between Oliver Barrett IV and Jennifer Cavalleri, whose love story became a cultural phenomenon.

At the 28th Golden Globe Awards in 1971, Love Story won five awards, reflecting both its popularity and its impact as a defining romantic drama of its era.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Ali MacGraw)
Best Director – Motion Picture (Arthur Hiller)
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Erich Segal)
Best Original Score – Motion Picture (Francis Lai)

The film also received nominations for Ryan O’Neal (Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama) and John Marley (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture).

9. The Godfather – 5 Golden Globe wins

The Godfather is a 1972 American epic gangster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo based on Puzo’s best‑selling novel. It chronicles the Corleone family and their struggle to balance power, loyalty and survival in organized crime.

At the 30th Golden Globe Awards in 1973, The Godfather collected five awards, further establishing it as one of the most influential films in movie history.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Director – Motion Picture (Francis Ford Coppola)
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Marlon Brando)
Best Screenplay (Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola)
Best Original Score (Nino Rota)

Al Pacino received a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, and James Caan was nominated for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.

10. A Star Is Born (1976) – 5 Golden Globe wins

A Star Is Born is a 1976 American musical romantic drama directed by Frank Pierson. This remake follows a fading rock star who discovers and mentors a talented young singer, as her career rises while his declines.

At the 34th Golden Globe Awards in 1977, the film won all five categories in which it was nominated, driven by its music and the performances of its leads.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Kris Kristofferson)
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Barbra Streisand)
Best Original Score – Motion Picture (Kenny Ascher, Paul Williams)
Best Original Song – Motion Picture: “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)”
(Music by Barbra Streisand, lyrics by Paul Williams)

11. Ordinary People – 5 Golden Globe wins

Ordinary People is a 1980 American drama and the first feature film directed by Robert Redford. Adapted by Alvin Sargent from Judith Guest’s 1976 novel, it explores grief, guilt and family tension in the aftermath of a tragic accident.

At the 38th Golden Globe Awards in 1981, Ordinary People won five awards, underscoring its emotional impact and strong performances.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Mary Tyler Moore)
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (Timothy Hutton)
Best Director – Motion Picture (Robert Redford)
New Star of the Year – Actor (Timothy Hutton)

The film also earned nominations for Donald Sutherland (Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama), Judd Hirsch (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture) and Alvin Sargent (Best Screenplay – Motion Picture).

12. Gandhi – 5 Golden Globe wins

Gandhi is a 1982 biographical film directed and produced by Richard Attenborough. It portrays the life of Mahatma Gandhi, focusing on his leadership of the Indian independence movement and his philosophy of non‑violent resistance.

At the 40th Golden Globe Awards in 1983, Gandhi won all five categories in which it was nominated, cementing its status as a landmark historical epic.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Foreign Film
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Ben Kingsley)
Best Director – Motion Picture (Richard Attenborough)
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (John Briley)
New Star of the Year – Actor (Ben Kingsley)

13. Oppenheimer – 5 Golden Globe wins

Oppenheimer is a 2023 epic biographical thriller written, co‑produced and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American theoretical physicist who led the development of the first nuclear weapons during World War II.

At the 81st Golden Globe Awards in 2024, Oppenheimer won five awards, confirming its status as one of the most acclaimed recent historical dramas.

Golden Globe wins (5):

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Director – Motion Picture (Christopher Nolan)
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Cillian Murphy)
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (Robert Downey Jr.)
Best Original Score – Motion Picture (Ludwig Göransson)

The film also received nominations for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Emily Blunt) and Best Screenplay (Christopher Nolan).

Final thoughts

These 13 films didn’t just win awards – they defined their awards seasons, setting records and shaping how the Golden Globes recognize cinematic excellence. Together, they show how a single night of dominance at the Globes can help turn a movie into a lasting piece of film history.

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