As the stars converged under the shimmering lights of Hollywood’s most prestigious stage, the 96th Academy Awards (Oscars 2024) unfolded its dazzling spectacle at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday night, leaving us with the newest winners to celebrate and tons of entertaining moments!
Under the seasoned guidance of the ever-charismatic Jimmy Kimmel, the star-studded soirée evolved into a canvas of cinematic triumphs, surprises, heartfelt speeches, and unforgettable moments.
The evening commenced with a familiar face from the awards season circuit as Da’Vine Joy Rudolph clinched the Oscar for Focus Features’ “The Holdovers”, delivering a moving acceptance speech honouring her mother and those who have “ushered and guided me.”
Among the evening’s luminaries, “Oppenheimer” emerged as a towering presence, clinching an impressive seven awards out of 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
The film’s profound exploration of history and humanity, coupled with Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy’s stellar performances under the legendary filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s direction, deeply resonated with audiences and the award committee, marking a pinnacle in cinematic storytelling.
Nolan, in his acceptance speech for Best Director, mused, “Movies are just over 100 years old, and just imagine 100 years into painting or theatre. We don’t know where this journey is going [from here], but to know that you think I’m a meaningful part of it means the world to me.”
Robert Downey Jr. took the Supporting Actor prize for Oppenheimer. He said from the podium, “Here’s my little secret: I needed this job more than it needed me.” It was his first Academy Award on his third nomination, after Tropic Thunder and Chaplin.
Although Cillian Murphy has garnered almost every award nomination he received this season for his seasoned portrayal in “Oppenheimer,” this marked his first-ever Oscar nomination and the first win for an Ireland-born actor in the category.
“For better or worse,” he stated on stage, “We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or for worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world. So I’d like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.”
While “Oppenheimer” stood out as the night’s undisputed champion, other cinematic gems also made their mark on Hollywood’s grandest stage!
Emma Stone’s triumphant return to the 2024 Oscars stage captured hearts and headlines alike, clinching her second Academy Award for her role in “Poor Things,” a victory that reverberated throughout Hollywood.
It marked Stone’s second win in the category, following her acclaimed performance in “La La Land” in 2017.
Reflecting on her win, Stone expressed gratitude to director Yorgos Lanthimos “for the gift of a lifetime in Bella Baxter.” Additionally, “Poor Things” garnered praise for its exceptional craftsmanship, securing accolades for hair and makeup, production design, and costume design, reaffirming the film’s status as a cinematic tour de force.
“Barbie,” despite securing eight nominations, garnered a single win for Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s enchanting original song, “What Was I Made For,” a moment of musical splendour.
Cord Jefferson won Best Original Screenplay for Amazon MGM Studios’ “American Fiction.” In his acceptance speech, Jefferson — an Emmy winner for his work on HBO’s “Watchmen” — urged Hollywood to give new creatives a chance. The Academy Award for Best Animated Short went to the anti-war film “War Is Over!” inspired by the music of John & Yoko.
Below is the complete list of winners and nominees at the Oscars 2024, a testament to the indelible mark left by these cinematic masterpieces on the landscape of contemporary filmmaking:
Best Picture
- Oppenheimer – WINNER
- American Fiction
- Anatomy of a Fall
- Barbie
- The Holdovers
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Maestro
- Past Lives
- Poor Things
- The Zone of Interest
Best Actor in a Leading Role
- Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer – WINNER
- Bradley Cooper – Maestro
- Colman Domingo – Rustin
- Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers
- Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Robert Downey Jr – Oppenheimer – WINNER
- Sterling K Brown – American Fiction
- Robert De Niro – Killers of the Flower Moon
- Ryan Gosling – Barbie
- Mark Ruffalo – Poor Things
Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Emma Stone – Poor Things – WINNER
- Annette Bening – Nyad
- Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon
- Sandra Hüller – Anatomy of a Fall
- Carey Mulligan – Maestro
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers – WINNER
- Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer
- Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple
- America Ferrera – Barbie
- Jodie Foster – Nyad
Best Directing
- Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan – WINNER
- Anatomy of a Fall – Justine Triet
- Killers of the Flower Moon – Martin Scorsese
- Poor Things – Yorgos Lanthimos
- The Zone of Interest – Jonathan Glazer
Best Animated Feature Film
- The Boy and the Heron – WINNER
- Elemental
- Nimona
- Robot Dreams
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Adapted Screenplay
- American Fiction – WINNER
- Barbie
- Oppenheimer
- Poor Things
- The Zone of Interest
Best Original Screenplay
- Anatomy of a Fall – WINNER
- The Holdovers
- Maestro
- May December
- Past Lives
Best Cinematography
- Oppenheimer- WINNER
- El Conde
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Maestro
- Poor Things
Best Costume Design
- Poor Things – WINNER
- Barbie
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Napoleon
- Oppenheimer
Best Documentary Feature Film
- 20 Days in Mariupol – WINNER
- Bobi Wine: The People’s President
- The Eternal Memory
- Four Daughters
- To Kill a Tiger
Best Documentary Short Film
- The Last Repair Shop – WINNER
- The ABCs of Book Banning
- The Barber of Little Rock
- Island in Between
- N?i Nai & Wài Pó
Best Film Editing
- Oppenheimer – WINNER
- Anatomy of a Fall
- The Holdovers
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Poor Things
Best International Feature Film
- The Zone of Interest – WINNER
- Io Capitano
- Perfect Days
- Society of the Snow
- The Teachers’ Lounge
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- Poor Things – WINNER
- Golda
- Maestro
- Oppenheimer
- Society of the Snow
Best Original Score
- Oppenheimer – WINNER
- American Fiction
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Poor Things
Best Original Song
- What Was I Made For? – Barbie – WINNER
- The Fire Inside – Flamin’ Hot
- I’m Just Ken – Barbie
- It Never Went Away – American Symphony
- Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) – Killers of the Flower Moon
Best Production Design
- Poor Things – WINNER
- Barbie
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Napoleon
- Oppenheimer
Best Animated Short Film
- WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko – WINNER
- Letter to a Pig
- Ninety-Five Senses
- Our Uniform
- Pachyderme
Best Live-Action Short Film
- The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar – WINNER
- The After
- Invincible
- Knight of Fortune
- Red, White and Blue
Best Sound
- The Zone of Interest – WINNER
- The Creator
- Maestro
- Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
- Oppenheimer
Best Visual Effects
- Godzilla Minus One – WINNER
- The Creator
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
- Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
- Napoleon