Everyone knows Alabama wins a lot of trophies, just not always on the football field. The state has reached many a mountaintop, including Hollywood’s most prestigious honor: The Oscars.

Before the 96th Annual Academy Awards air on ABC this Sunday at 6 p.m. CT, we want to look back at some of Alabama’s biggest moments at the annual ceremony celebrating the movie industry’s best work, for natives who won the big prize and for films set or shot in the state that either won or earned nominations. Dating back to the 1960s, the state holds connections to best picture winners and other major categories you may not even remember.

First, a few honorable mentions:

• The Miracle Worker (1962): The biopic about Tuscumbia native Helen Keller won two Oscars (Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke) with five nominations.
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977): Partially filmed in two abandoned World War II airship hangars at the former Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi epic earned eight nominations and one win (cinematography).
• Norma Rae (1979): Filmed in Opelika, including mill scenes that were shot at the Opelika Manufacturing Corp. and motel scenes filmed at The Golden Cherry Motel. Sally Field won best actress.
• My Cousin Vinny (1992): Set in a fictional Alabama town (but filmed in Georgia), the Joe Pesci legal comedy scored a surprise best supporting actress win for Marisa Tomei. (10 facts about “My Cousin Vinny”)
• Capote (2005): Philip Seymour Hoffman won best actor for portraying the legendary author who grew up in Monroeville. Also features Harper Lee, played by Catherine Keener (nominated for best supporting actress).
• Selma (2014): Ava DuVernay’s historic drama, filmed in Alabama, was nominated for best picture and won best original song (John Legend, Common).
• Get Out (2017): Jordan Peele filmed part of his horror flick phenom in Fairhope. It won best original screenplay.

Below are Alabama’s five biggest moments in Oscar history.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Gregory Peck won an Oscar for his portrayal of noble attorney Atticus Finch in this 1962 adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel of the same name. Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Ala., during the 1930s, it tells the story of Finch and his family as he defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his kids against prejudice. A must-see for Southerners. It won three Oscars for actor, adapted screenplay and art direction and scored five more nominations for picture, director, supporting actress (Birmingham native Mary Badham), cinematography and musical score.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Birmingham native Louise Fletcher earned the best actress Oscar for playing Nurse Ratched in Milos Forman’s mental hospital drama that also won best picture, director, actor (Jack Nicholson) and adapted screenplay. In a touching moment during her acceptance speech, an emotional Fletcher used sign language to thank her parents, both of whom were deaf and worked with the hard-of-hearing.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Robert Zemeckis’ Oscar-winning adaptation of Winston Groom’s novel tells the unbelievable fictional story of a good-natured Alabama man who witnesses and participates in many of the defining events of American history during the latter half of the 20th century. While most of the best picture-winner takes place in Alabama, Zemeckis filmed those scenes in South Carolina, Virginia and North Carolina. It won six Oscars including best picture and actor (Tom Hanks) and grossed nearly $700 million worldwide. Gump grows up in the fictional town of Greenbow, Ala., and eventually plays football for the University of Alabama under Paul “Bear” Bryant. Among the most decorated of Alabama’s Oscar-connected movies.

READ: 35 fascinating facts about ‘Forrest Gump’

The Help (2011)

Montgomery native Octavia Spencer won best supporting actress for her scene-stealing performance as Minny Jackson in “The Help,” Tate Taylor’s adaptation of University of Alabama graduate Kathryn Stockett’s beloved book about a young white woman’s relationship with two black maids during the Civil Rights era in 1963 Jackson, Miss. The film has since suffered some backlash with many categorizing it as a “white savior” film, and actress Viola Davis even expressing some regret for which point of view it emphasizes. But Spencer’s rich performance remains a highlight. She would also receive nominations in the same category for “Hidden Figures” and “The Shape of Water.”

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2023)

Inarguably Bama’s biggest night at the Oscars. Co-written and directed by Birmingham native Daniel Scheinert (with his filmmaking partner Daniel Kwan) and edited by Alabama-born Paul Rogers, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won seven total, including best picture, directing, original screenplay, actress (Michelle Yeoh), supporting actor (Ke Huy Quan), supporting actress (Jamie Lee Curtis) and editing. It led all nominees with 11 at the 95th Annual Academy Awards. Born in Birmingham, Scheinert, 36, attended Oak Mountain Elementary and Middle Schools before going to high school in Shades Valley. His parents, Ken and Becky, now live in Guntersville. His dad said Scheinert got into filmmaking through local competitions and musical theater during high school. During his acceptance speech, in true Alabama fashion, Homewood High School graduate Rogers drew big laughs when he said, “This is my second film, y’all. This is crazy.”

READ: Daniel Scheinert on his Alabama roots, fitting his state into ‘Everything Everywhere’