16 Memorable Moments From Oscar History

12. ‘Titanic’ Ruins Everyone’s Night

Like it or not, Titanic is probably the most celebrated individual film in Academy history. Not only is it tied for most wins by a single film (it won 11, same as Ben-Hur and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King), it’s also tied for first with most nominations (14, like All About Eve). The real crime is that not only is this overblown disaster picture certifiably not James Cameron’s best film (that would be Aliens or The Abyss), but 1997, the year of Titanic, was an otherwise incredible year for now completely unrewarded movie gems. Here’s a short list of what else was competing for an Oscar that year: As Good As It Gets (which, admittedly, took home both Lead Actor Awards), The Full Monty, Good Will Hunting, L.A. Confidential (the film that really should have won Best Picture), Jackie Brown, Boogie Nights, Donnie Brasco, Gattaga and Wag the Dog. Undoubtedly, Cameron was “king of the world” that night, though.