At the 96th Academy Awards, the spotlight shines on Oscars 2024 winners, with Christopher Nolan’s epic biopic Oppenheimer leading the pack. Securing seven prestigious Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director, it’s a triumphant comeback after being overshadowed by Barbie at the box office during last summer’s “Barbenheimer” showdown.
Acting Achievements and Surprises
In a remarkable feat, Cillian Murphy made history by becoming the first Irish-born actor to win the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal in Oppenheimer. Robert Downey Jr. also celebrated his first Academy Award win, securing the Best Supporting Actor trophy. Delivering a surprise upset, Emma Stone claimed the Best Actress honor for her role in the offbeat period comedy Poor Things, marking her second win in the category following her triumph for La La Land.
International and Diverse Triumphs
Jonathan Glazer’s German and Polish-language Holocaust drama, The Zone of Interest, broke new ground by becoming the first British film to win the Best International Feature award. Glazer’s acceptance speech addressed the Israel-Palestine conflict, condemning the “dehumanisation” depicted in his film and in reality. Meanwhile, Da’Vine Joy Randolph earned the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in the 70s-set drama The Holdovers.
Barbie’s Bright Spot and Protest Disruption
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie clinches Best Original Song win with Billie Eilish’s ‘What Was I Made For?’ amid accolades. Pro-Palestine protest briefly interrupts ceremony; Eilish, Ramy Youssef among supporters.
Host Jimmy Kimmel’s Memorable Moments
Host Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the show with a warm welcome to the “beautiful human actors” in attendance, acknowledging the challenges faced by writers and actors during the past year’s strikes. Kimmel’s monologue included lighthearted jabs at various celebrities, films, and even a response to Donald Trump’s criticism of his hosting duties.
Other Notable Wins and Milestones
The night also witnessed victories for films like Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall (Best Original Screenplay), Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction (Best Adapted Screenplay), 20 Days in Mariupol (Best Documentary Feature), The Boy and the Heron (Best Animated Feature), and Godzilla Minus One (Best Visual Effects). Wes Anderson claimed his first Oscar for his Roald Dahl adaptation, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, which won Best Live-Action Short.
Oppenheimer’s triumph solidified its place in history, becoming the highest-grossing Best Picture winner since The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2004 and the first film since Ben-Hur in 1960 to win Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor. Oscars 2024 winners.