Skip to content

Top 100 Cannes Winners

notable Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winners

Here's a brief overview of some notable Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winners over the years, highlighting the festival's rich history and the diversity of its awardees:

  • 1955: The first Palme d'Or was awarded to "Marty" directed by Delbert Mann, marking the introduction of this prestigious award【9†source】.
  • 1979: "Apocalypse Now" by Francis Ford Coppola and "The Tin Drum" by Volker Schlöndorff shared the Palme d'Or, showcasing the festival's recognition of cinematic excellence【9†source】.
  • 1994: Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" won the Palme d'Or, highlighting the festival's embrace of groundbreaking and influential cinema【11†source】.
  • 2002: Roman Polanski's "The Pianist" received the Palme d'Or, further emphasizing the festival's appreciation for powerful storytelling and directing【11†source】.
  • 2019: "Parasite" by Bong Joon-ho won, later making history by also winning the Academy Award for Best Picture, underscoring the global impact of Cannes winners【11†source】.

These winners illustrate the festival's role in elevating films that go on to achieve global recognition and acclaim. The Cannes Film Festival continues to be a critical platform for filmmakers worldwide, showcasing a mix of genre-defining blockbusters, independent films, and avant-garde cinema. Each year's winners add to the festival's legacy of celebrating the art of filmmaking at its finest.

Palme d'Or

Over the last 20 years, the Cannes Film Festival has awarded the prestigious Palme d'Or to a diverse range of films from across the globe, highlighting the festival's commitment to celebrating cinematic excellence. Here's a look at some of the most notable Palme d'Or winners from the past two decades:

  • 2023: "Anatomy of a Fall" by Justine Triet is among the recent winners, underlining the festival's appreciation for storytelling and directorial prowess【33†source】.
  • 2019: "Parasite" by Bong Joon-ho, a South Korean film that not only won at Cannes but also made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Picture, showcasing the global reach and impact of Cannes' selections.
  • 2017: "The Square" by Ruben Östlund, a satirical drama that explores the art world, societal norms, and human behavior.
  • 2014: "Winter Sleep" by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, a Turkish film that delves into the human condition and social issues, was recognized during the 100th anniversary year of Turkish cinema【33†source】.
  • 2013: "Blue Is the Warmest Color" by Abdellatif Kechiche, notable not only for its intimate portrayal of a romantic relationship but also for the decision to award the Palme d'Or to both the director and the lead actresses, a unique occurrence in the festival's history【33†source】.

Each of these films, along with the other winners over the past 20 years, reflects the Cannes Film Festival's role as a vital platform for films that push boundaries, challenge viewers, and contribute significantly to the art of cinema. For a comprehensive list of Palme d'Or winners and more detailed information about each film, the official Cannes Film Festival website and resources like IMDb offer extensive insights.

Continuing from the introduction of the Palme d'Or in 1955 and moving through the decades, the Cannes Film Festival has celebrated the best in international cinema through this prestigious award. Each winner reflects the changing tastes, trends, and political climates of their times. Here's an overview of notable Palme d'Or winners from 1955, marking the award's inception, up to 2002:

  • 1955: "Marty" by Delbert Mann (USA) - The first film to receive the newly introduced Palme d'Or, "Marty" is an American romantic drama that explores the life of a lonely butcher looking for love.

  • 1960s Highlights:

  • 1961: "The Long Absence" (Une aussi longue absence) by Henri Colpi (France) and "Viridiana" by Luis Buñuel (Spain) - In a rare tie, Buñuel's controversial masterpiece shared the award with Colpi's poignant drama.

  • 1969: "If...." by Lindsay Anderson (UK) - A daring social commentary set in a British boarding school, reflecting the era's revolutionary spirit.

  • 1970s Highlights:

  • 1974: "The Conversation" by Francis Ford Coppola (USA) - A psychological thriller that tapped into the era's paranoia and the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.

  • 1979: "Apocalypse Now" by Francis Ford Coppola (USA) and "The Tin Drum" (Die Blechtrommel) by Volker Schlöndorff (West Germany) - Another tie, with Coppola's war epic sharing the honors with Schlöndorff's adaptation of Günter Grass's novel.

  • 1980s Highlights:

  • 1985: "When Father Was Away on Business" (Otac na službenom putu) by Emir Kusturica (Yugoslavia) - A personal story set against the backdrop of post-war Yugoslavia, highlighting the political turmoil within a family.

  • 1989: "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" by Steven Soderbergh (USA) - A groundbreaking independent film that challenged traditional narratives and catapulted Soderbergh to fame.

  • 1990s Highlights:

  • 1993: "Farewell My Concubine" (霸王别姬) by Chen Kaige (China) and "The Piano" by Jane Campion (New Zealand) - The decade saw Campion become the first female director to win the Palme d'Or, sharing the award with Chen's epic.

  • 1997: "Taste of Cherry" (طعم گيلاس) by Abbas Kiarostami (Iran) - A contemplative film that sparked debates on its minimalist approach and philosophical themes.

  • 2000s Highlights:

  • 2002: "The Pianist" by Roman Polanski (France/Poland/Germany/UK) - A powerful biographical drama about a Polish-Jewish pianist surviving the Holocaust, marking a significant win at the start of the new millennium.

The Cannes Film Festival continues to be a platform for films that challenge, entertain, and inspire audiences worldwide. Each Palme d'Or winner adds to the rich tapestry of cinematic history, marking milestones in filmmaking and reflecting the festival's commitment to artistic excellence【50†source】.

Here is a summarized list of the Palme d'Or winners at the Cannes Film Festival for the last 20 years, highlighting the diversity and global reach of the festival's top honor:

This list showcases the festival's commitment to recognizing a wide range of storytelling and filmmaking styles from directors around the world. Each winner reflects the contemporary themes and artistic innovation of its time, contributing to the global dialogue on cinema. For more detailed information, including synopses and the context of each win, the official Cannes Film Festival website and cinema-focused databases offer comprehensive insights.

Ranked List of Cannes Palme d'Or Winners (1975-2023)

  1. 1975: "Chronicle of the Years of Fire" by Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina (Algeria)
  2. 1976: "Taxi Driver" by Martin Scorsese (USA)
  3. 1977: "Padre Padrone" by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani (Italy)
  4. 1978: "The Tree of Wooden Clogs" by Ermanno Olmi (Italy)
  5. 1979 (tie): "Apocalypse Now" by Francis Ford Coppola (USA)
  6. 1979 (tie): "The Tin Drum" by Volker Schlöndorff (West Germany)
  7. 1980 (tie): "All That Jazz" by Bob Fosse (USA)
  8. 1980 (tie): "Kagemusha" by Akira Kurosawa (Japan)
  9. 1981: "Man of Iron" by Andrzej Wajda (Poland)
  10. 1982 (tie): "Missing" by Costa-Gavras (France/USA)
  11. 1982 (tie): "The Way" by Yılmaz Güney and Şerif Gören (Turkey)
  12. 1983: "The Ballad of Narayama" by Shōhei Imamura (Japan)
  13. 1984: "Paris, Texas" by Wim Wenders (West Germany)
  14. 1985: "When Father Was Away on Business" by Emir Kusturica (Yugoslavia)
  15. 1986: "The Mission" by Roland Joffé (UK)
  16. 1987: "Under the Sun of Satan" by Maurice Pialat (France)
  17. 1988: "Pelle the Conqueror" by Bille August (Denmark/Sweden)
  18. 1989: "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" by Steven Soderbergh (USA)
  19. 1990: "Wild at Heart" by David Lynch (USA)
  20. 1991: "Barton Fink" by Joel and Ethan Coen (USA)
  21. 1992: "The Best Intentions" by Bille August (Sweden)
  22. 1993 (tie): "Farewell My Concubine" by Chen Kaige (China)
  23. 1993 (tie): "The Piano" by Jane Campion (New Zealand)
  24. 1994: "Pulp Fiction" by Quentin Tarantino (USA)
  25. 1995: "Underground" by Emir Kusturica (FR Yugoslavia)
  26. 1996: "Secrets & Lies" by Mike Leigh (UK)
  27. 1997 (tie): "Taste of Cherry" by Abbas Kiarostami (Iran)
  28. 1997 (tie): "The Eel" by Shohei Imamura (Japan)
  29. 1998: "Eternity and a Day" by Theo Angelopoulos (Greece)
  30. 1999: "Rosetta" by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (Belgium)
  31. 2000: "Dancer in the Dark" by Lars von Trier (Denmark)
  32. 2001: "The Son's Room" by Nanni Moretti (Italy)
  33. 2002: "The Pianist" by Roman Polanski (France/Poland)
  34. 2003: "Elephant" by Gus Van Sant (USA)
  35. 2004: "Fahrenheit 9/11" by Michael Moore (USA)
  36. 2005: "The Child" by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (Belgium)
  37. 2006: "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" by Ken Loach (Ireland/UK)
  38. 2007: "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" by Cristian Mungiu (Romania)
  39. 2008: "The Class" by Laurent Cantet (France)
  40. 2009: "The White Ribbon" by Michael Haneke (Germany)
  41. 2010: "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)
  42. 2011: "The Tree of Life" by Terrence Malick (USA)
  43. 2012: "Amour" by Michael Haneke (Austria)
  44. 2013: "Blue Is the Warmest Colour" by Abdellatif Kechiche (France)
  45. 2014: "Winter Sleep" by Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey)
  46. 2015: "Dheepan" by Jacques Audiard (France)
  47. 2016: "I, Daniel Blake" by Ken Loach (UK)
  48. 2017: "The Square" by Ruben Östlund (Sweden)
  49. 2018: "Shoplifters" by Hirokazu Kore-eda (Japan)
  50. 2019: "Parasite" by Bong Joon-ho (South Korea)
  51. 2020: No award due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  52. 2021: "Titane" by Julia Ducournau (France)
  53. 2022: "Triangle of Sadness" by Ruben Östlund (Sweden)
  54. 2023: "Anatomy of a Fall" by Justine Triet (France)

Table of Cannes Palme d'Or Winners (1975-2023)

Year Film Director Country
2023 Anatomy of a Fall Justine Triet France
2022 Triangle of Sadness Ruben Östlund Sweden
2021 Titane Julia Ducournau France
2020 No award (COVID-19 pandemic) - -
2019 Parasite Bong Joon-ho South Korea
2018 Shoplifters Hirokazu Kore-eda Japan
2017 The Square Ruben Östlund Sweden
2016 I, Daniel Blake Ken Loach UK
2015 Dheepan Jacques Audiard France
2014 Winter Sleep Nuri Bilge Ceylan Turkey
2013 Blue Is the Warmest Colour Abdellatif Kechiche France
2012 Amour Michael Haneke Austria
2011 The Tree of Life Terrence Malick USA
2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives Apichatpong Weerasethakul Thailand
2009 The White Ribbon Michael Haneke Germany
2008 The Class Laurent Cantet France
2007 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days Cristian Mungiu Romania
2006 The Wind That Shakes the Barley Ken Loach Ireland/UK
2005 The Child Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne Belgium
2004 Fahrenheit 9/11 Michael Moore USA
2003 Elephant Gus Van Sant USA
2002 The Pianist Roman Polanski France/Poland
2001 The Son's Room Nanni Moretti Italy
2000 Dancer in the Dark Lars von Trier Denmark
1999 Rosetta Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne Belgium
1998 Eternity and a Day Theo Angelopoulos Greece
1997 (tie) Taste of Cherry Abbas Kiarostami Iran
1997 (tie) The Eel Shohei Imamura Japan
1996 Secrets & Lies Mike Leigh UK
1995 Underground Emir Kusturica FR Yugoslavia
1994 Pulp Fiction Quentin Tarantino USA
1993 (tie) Farewell My Concubine Chen Kaige China
1993 (tie) The Piano Jane Campion New Zealand
1992 The Best Intentions Bille August Sweden
1991 Barton Fink Joel and Ethan Coen USA
1990 Wild at Heart David Lynch USA
1989 Sex, Lies, and Videotape Steven Soderbergh USA
1988 Pelle the Conqueror Bille August Denmark/Sweden
1987 Under the Sun of Satan Maurice Pialat France
1986 The Mission Roland Joffé UK
1985 When Father Was Away on Business Emir Kusturica Yugoslavia
1984 Paris, Texas Wim Wenders West Germany
1983 The Ballad of Narayama Shōhei Imamura Japan
1982 (tie) Missing Costa-Gavras France/USA
1982 (tie) The Way Yılmaz Güney and Şerif Gören Turkey
1981 Man of Iron Andrzej Wajda Poland
1980 (tie) All That Jazz Bob Fosse USA
1980 (tie) Kagemusha Akira Kurosawa Japan
1979 (tie) Apocalypse Now Francis Ford Coppola USA
1979 (tie) The Tin Drum Volker Schlöndorff West Germany
1978 The Tree of Wooden Clogs Ermanno Olmi Italy
1977 Padre Padrone Paolo and Vittorio Taviani Italy
1976 Taxi Driver Martin Scorsese USA
1975 Chronicle of the Years of Fire Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina Algeria

This comprehensive list and table capture the essence and diversity of Cannes Palme d'Or winners from 1975 to 2023, highlighting the festival's role in celebrating cinematic achievements from around the world.