The 6 Shocking Oscar Wins That Made 'Chicago' An Immortal Hollywood Classic 20 Years Later

The film adaptation of *Chicago*, released in 2002, did more than just bring a classic Broadway musical to the silver screen; it completely revitalized a dormant genre and secured a place in cinematic history by dominating the 75th Academy Awards. As of December 15, 2025, the film’s legacy remains a powerful reminder of a true Hollywood comeback story, having swept six major categories, including the coveted Best Picture prize, a feat a musical had not achieved in over three decades. This deep dive explores every win, the stars who were nominated, and the lasting impact of the film that had "All That Jazz."

The success of *Chicago* was a landmark moment, not just for the cast and crew, but for the musical genre itself. Before its triumph, the last musical to win Best Picture was *Oliver!* in 1969, making *Chicago*'s victory a historic end to a 34-year drought. The film’s dazzling energy, coupled with its sharp satire on celebrity and the justice system, resonated deeply with audiences and Academy voters alike, proving that the movie musical was back and better than ever.

The Complete List of Chicago's 6 Academy Award Wins

The 2002 musical film *Chicago*, directed by Rob Marshall, led the 75th Academy Awards with 13 nominations and ultimately converted six of those into Oscar gold. This impressive haul solidified its status as one of the most decorated musical films in history. The wins spanned both major and technical categories, highlighting the film’s excellence across the board.

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The six categories won by *Chicago* were:

• Best Picture: Won by Producer Martin Richards. This was the crowning achievement, marking the first musical to win the top prize since 1969.
• Best Supporting Actress: Won by Catherine Zeta-Jones for her electrifying performance as Velma Kelly.
• Best Art Direction: Won by John Myhre (Art Direction) and Gordon Sim (Set Decoration). Their work created the stylized, vaudevillian world of the film.
• Best Costume Design: Won by Colleen Atwood. Her designs perfectly captured the roaring twenties aesthetic with a modern, theatrical edge.
• Best Film Editing: Won by Martin Walsh. The film's signature rapid-fire, seamless transitions between reality and fantasy were a triumph of editing.
• Best Sound: Won by Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella, and David Lee. This award recognized the impeccable clarity and mixing of the music and dialogue.

The technical awards are often overlooked, but they were crucial to *Chicago*'s success. The combination of Colleen Atwood’s dazzling costumes and John Myhre and Gordon Sim's evocative Art Direction created the stunning visual language that made the film so unique and immersive. Without these elements, the film's theatrical magic would have been lost.

The Star-Studded Nominations and Unforgettable Performances

While only six Oscars were won, the film garnered a total of 13 nominations, placing it among the most nominated films of the year. The acting nominations, in particular, showcased the phenomenal talent assembled by director Rob Marshall. The intense competition in the acting categories meant that some legendary performances, despite being nominated, did not ultimately take home the trophy.

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Renée Zellweger and Queen Latifah’s Historic Nods

Renée Zellweger, who played the ambitious and manipulative Roxie Hart, received a nomination for Best Actress. Zellweger was already a rising star, and her performance as the lead in a musical—a genre she was not known for—proved her versatility. While she was a favorite, she ultimately lost to Nicole Kidman for *The Hours*.

The Best Supporting Actress category was a unique scenario for *Chicago*, as it featured two nominations from the same film: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah. Queen Latifah, portraying the no-nonsense prison matron Matron "Mama" Morton, earned her first-ever Academy Award nomination. Her nomination was also historic, as she became the first female hip-hop artist to ever receive an Oscar nomination, a significant cultural milestone. Although she lost to her co-star, the recognition cemented her status as a serious dramatic actress.

Other key nominations that boosted the film's topical authority included:

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• Best Director: Rob Marshall (lost to Roman Polanski for *The Pianist*)
• Best Supporting Actor: John C. Reilly for his role as the hapless Amos Hart (lost to Chris Cooper for *Adaptation*)
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Bill Condon
• Best Cinematography: Dion Beebe
• Best Original Song: "I Move On" (Music by John Kander; Lyric by Fred Ebb)

The Lasting Cultural Impact and Recent Updates

The legacy of the *Chicago* film extends far beyond its Oscar haul. It proved that a classic, Broadway-style musical could be a massive commercial and critical success in the modern era, paving the way for subsequent musical film adaptations like *Les Misérables*, *Hairspray*, and *La La Land*. The film’s influence is undeniable, having successfully blended the gritty reality of the 1920s Chicago justice system with the dazzling, escapist fantasy of its musical numbers.

The film’s 20th anniversary was celebrated in 2022, prompting retrospectives that praised its bold, stylized direction and the career-defining performances of its cast. Even two decades later, the film's commentary on the symbiotic relationship between crime, media, and celebrity feels remarkably current.

Entity List for Topical Authority

To fully appreciate the depth of *Chicago*'s success, it is important to recognize the key individuals and entities involved. The film's impact generated a massive amount of LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords and related searches, reinforcing its topical authority:

• Key Performers: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Queen Latifah, Richard Gere, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski.
• Creative Team: Rob Marshall (Director/Choreographer), Martin Richards (Producer), Bill Condon (Screenwriter), John Kander (Composer), Fred Ebb (Lyricist).
• Technical Winners: Colleen Atwood (Costume Design), John Myhre (Art Direction), Gordon Sim (Set Decoration), Martin Walsh (Film Editing), Michael Minkler (Sound), Dominick Tavella (Sound), David Lee (Sound).
• Related Films/Musicals: *Oliver!*, *The Hours*, *A Chorus Line*, *Cabaret*, *Kiss of the Spider Woman*.
• Recent Updates: In a nod to the film’s enduring stage legacy, Oscar winner Mira Sorvino recently joined the Broadway production of *Chicago*, keeping the "Oscar winner" connection alive in the current theater news cycle.

The film's success also had a significant impact on the careers of its stars. Catherine Zeta-Jones used her Oscar win as a springboard for further high-profile roles, and Renée Zellweger went on to win two Academy Awards later in her career. The film's director, Rob Marshall, became the go-to director for major Hollywood musical adaptations, including *Memoirs of a Geisha* and *Mary Poppins Returns*.

Why Chicago's Best Picture Win Still Matters

The Best Picture win for *Chicago* was a cultural moment because it defied the typical Academy preference for serious dramas. It was a flashy, unapologetically entertaining musical that also had a dark, satirical heart. It proved that spectacle and substance could coexist. The film was a critical darling, but its box office success—earning over $306 million worldwide—also made it a populist choice, a rarity for Best Picture winners.

The win was also a triumph for Miramax, which had famously championed the film for years. The aggressive and effective Oscar campaign run by Harvey Weinstein is often cited as a masterclass in awards strategy, ensuring that every Academy member was aware of the film's brilliance and historical significance.

Ultimately, the six Oscars won by *Chicago* represent a pivotal moment where Hollywood embraced the musical again. It’s a film that continues to be celebrated for its razor-sharp choreography, memorable songs, and a cast that effortlessly transitioned from serious actors to dazzling musical performers. Two decades later, the name on everybody's lips is still Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, forever immortalized as Oscar winners.