Oscars Trivia Questions and Answers

The Academy Awards have nearly a century of records and firsts. These Oscars trivia questions cover the very first winners, record-breaking films, the rare 'Big Five' sweep and the most-nominated performers, each with a short explanation. Great for an awards-night warm-up or a movie-themed quiz round.

5 questions · Every answer explained · Fact-checked October 2026

1. 1. Which 1997 film won 11 Academy Awards, a record it shares with two other films?

   • A. Titanic
   • B. Braveheart
   • C. Gladiator
   • D. Forrest Gump
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   A. Titanic — Titanic won 11 Oscars, tying the record Ben-Hur set in 1959; The Return of the King matched it in 2003.

2. 2. Which film became the first non-English-language winner of the Oscar for Best Picture?

   • A. Roma
   • B. Amélie
   • C. Parasite
   • D. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
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   C. Parasite — Bong Joon-ho's South Korean thriller Parasite won Best Picture at the 2020 ceremony.

   Did you know? It was the first film since Marty (1955) to win both the Palme d'Or and Best Picture.

3. 3. Which film won the top prize at the very first Academy Awards?

   • A. Sunrise
   • B. Wings
   • C. The Broadway Melody
   • D. All Quiet on the Western Front
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   B. Wings — The World War I aviation drama Wings won Outstanding Picture at the 1929 ceremony.

   Did you know? Sunrise won a separate, one-off award at the same ceremony: 'Unique and Artistic Production'.

4. 4. Who holds the record for the most Academy Award acting nominations?

   • A. Katharine Hepburn
   • B. Bette Davis
   • C. Cate Blanchett
   • D. Meryl Streep
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   D. Meryl Streep — Meryl Streep has 21 acting nominations, more than any other performer.

   Did you know? Katharine Hepburn still holds the record for most acting wins, with four.

5. 5. Which film is one of only three to win the 'Big Five' Oscars (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay)?

   • A. Titanic
   • B. The Godfather
   • C. The Silence of the Lambs
   • D. Schindler's List
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   C. The Silence of the Lambs — The Silence of the Lambs (1991) joined It Happened One Night (1934) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975).

   Did you know? Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor with only about 16 minutes of screen time.