26 women with the most Oscar nominations: Edith Head, Meryl Streep, Diane Warren …

Over Hollywood’s century-long history, women have played an integral part both as actresses on the screen, as well as creators behind the scenes. Many have fought to establish themselves in a male-dominated world, and have earned their place in history alongside the best, even managing to show out at the most prestigious awards ceremony — the Academy Awards. In celebration of Women’s History Month 2024, and the recent 96th Oscars ceremony, following is a list of 26 women who have earned eight or more Oscar nominations. Scroll through our photo gallery above (or click here for direct access).

One area in which women have dominated Oscar nominations is writing. Going all the way back to the second ceremony, Josephine Lovett earned a bid for “Our Dancing Daughters,” while Bess Meredyth received two noms for “A Woman of Affairs” and “Wonder of Women.” The next year, Frances Marion became the first woman to triumph in a non-gendered category, earning the Best Writing award for “The Big House;” two years later, she became the first person with multiple writing wins, earning Best Original Story for “The Champ.”

At the 1935 Oscars, Anne Bauchens became the first woman to be nominated for Best Film Editing for “Cleopatra.” She was among the inaugural candidates for this category, and went on to become the first woman to win it six years later, for “North West Mounted Police.” Female editors have been recognized many times, with Thelma Schoonmaker holding the record for most nominations of any individual in this category with nine.

Women have also dominated Best Costume Design, with at least one nominated each year since its inception in 1949. For several years, this category was split into black-and-white and color films, and two women, Dorothy Jeakins and Karinska, won the first color award for “Joan of Arc” (1948). Famed Hollywood Golden Age designer Edith Head is among the most-nominated individuals in the academy’s history, earning eight wins from 35 nominations, making her the most-honored woman.

Female songwriters have also been well-recognized. The Best Original Song category was first introduced in 1934, and Dorothy Fields garnered back-to-back nominations in 1935 and 1936, winning the latter year for “The Way You Look Tonight” from “Swing Time.” Marilyn Bergman and Diane Warren have each reaped 15 nominations in this category.

In 1974, Julia Phillips became the first woman to be nominated as a producer for Best Picture, and won for “The Sting.” In the 50 years since, such females as Kathleen Kennedy and Fran Walsh have earned multiple nominations in the category; in 2017, Dede Gardner became the first woman to win two, earning one for “Moonlight” three years after winning for “12 Years a Slave.” In 2021, Frances McDormand became the first woman to be nominated for both acting and producing in the same year, and claimed both awards for “Nomadland.” At the 2024 Oscars, Emma Stone became the second woman to obtain these two nominations at a single ceremony, for “Poor Things.”

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