The 1966 Box Office Champion That Conquered Every Oscar Category

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Reflecting on the cinematic landscape of July 21, 1966, audiences were captivated by “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, topping box office charts 50 years ago from today. While some might speculate this spoke to turbulent marital dynamics in America back then, the film’s true acclaim came at the 1967 Academy Awards, making history at the 39th ceremony. It joined an exclusive club of films nominated in every possible category. Only two other films have matched this feat to date: the 1931 classic “Cimarron” and Ryan Coogler’s daring 2025 release, “Sinners,” a unique vampire musical.

But what exactly is “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Adapted from Edward Albee’s iconic play, a staple of American theatre, this film was brought to life by the exceptional director Mike Nichols. It stars Hollywood legends Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who were intrinsically connected on-screen and off, as they were wed during the film’s production (from 1964 to 1974, remarrying from 1975 to 1976). In the film, they portray Martha and George, a fractious couple with ties to academia; Martha is the daughter of the university president, while George is entrenched as an associate history professor. The plot thickens one evening when they welcome a younger couple, portrayed by George Segal and Sandy Dennis, into their home, unveiling their volatile nature.

The narrative spirals into chaos with mind-bending games, intense shouting, and alcohol-fueled conflicts as Nick and Honey, the unsuspecting guests, find themselves caught in the psychological crossfire. The film’s peculiar title is born from George and Martha’s strange adaptation of the nursery rhyme, transfiguring “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” into their chilling anthem. It’s a mesmerizing watch, marked by stellar performances and outstanding filmmaking.

The film made waves at the 39th Academy Awards, clinching five Oscars. Elizabeth Taylor, already an Oscar winner for “BUtterfield 8,” triumphed again as best actress, while Sandy Dennis secured best supporting actress. The film’s technical prowess was honored with awards for art direction, cinematography, and costume design. Despite these successes, it narrowly missed out on the best picture award to “A Man for All Seasons,” which also clinched best director for Fred Zinnemann and best actor for Paul Scofield, leaving Richard Burton without a win.

The legacy of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is nothing to be scared of, however. Taylor Swift, a noted fan of Taylor for several reasons unrelated to their shared name, released a song on her 2024 album “The Tortured Poets Department” called “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” in a clear reference to this Burton-Taylor classic. (She also, for that matter, released a song simply titled “Elizabeth Taylor” on her 2025 album “The Life of a Showgirl,” so it’s clearly a deep well of inspiration.) Most infamously, “The Dinner Party,” one of the all-time best episodes of the American version of “The Office,” is a take on this play and movie as Steve Carell’s Michael Scott and Melora Hardin’s Jan Levinson torment each other while osso bucco takes hours to braise in the oven, horrifying guests like Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly (John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer). 

You can rent “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” on major streaming platforms like Amazon if you haven’t seen it … and if you haven’t, you definitely should check it out.