The Lord of the Rings trilogy films are based on J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings books. The films are all fantasy adventures directed by Peter Jackson, therefore they have a consistency that would not have been sustained if three different directors took on the project.  All films were made over the process of eight years concurrently, so what was to come for the third and final film might have taken some by surprise.

On this day, February 29, 2004, The Lord Rings: The Return of the King ties a record when it wins 11 Oscar awards. Not many films are able to attain such a prestige award and to receive not just one, but 11 Oscar Awards is a record. The film tied with Ben-Hur (1959) and Titanic (1997) for the most awards won. It was nominated eleven times and it won each and every one of the categories it was nominated in.

Not only did it win nearly a dozen Oscar Awards, but the film also was the highest grossing film for New Line Cinema, ultimately becoming the most profitable film for Timer Warner and leaving quite a mark in the film industry.