The 96th Academy Awards delivered a historic night for cinema, capped by Christopher Nolan's biographical thriller Oppenheimer dominating the major categories. Held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the ceremony concluded months of industry speculation, blockbuster box office runs, and intense campaign trails. If you missed the broadcast or want a clear breakdown of how the night unfolded, here is the definitive recap of the biggest winners, memorable speeches, and defining moments from Hollywood's most prestigious evening.
Oppenheimer led the charge with a massive seven wins from its 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Christopher Nolan, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. Meanwhile, Yorgos Lanthimos's surreal dark comedy Poor Things secured four Oscars, showcasing technical and artistic brilliance across production design, makeup, costume design, and a Best Actress win for Emma Stone.
Major Category Winners and Breakdown
The competition across the core categories featured strong contenders, but a few heavy hitters pulled ahead early in the evening. The Academy spread the wealth among several critically acclaimed international and domestic releases, ensuring a diverse podium.
Best Picture and Directing
Oppenheimer claimed the night's top prize, rounding out a dominant awards season run. Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, and Christopher Nolan accepted the award. Christopher Nolan also secured his first career Academy Award for Best Director, steering a complex narrative about the Manhattan Project that resonated deeply with voters and global audiences alike.
Acting Categories
The acting races featured fierce competition between seasoned veterans and breakout performances.
- Best Actor: Cillian Murphy won for his haunting portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, edging out fellow nominees like Bradley Cooper and Paul Giamatti.
- Best Actress: Emma Stone earned her second career Oscar for her fearless, eccentric performance as Bella Baxter in Poor Things.
- Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. captured his first Oscar for his nuanced turn as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer.
- Best Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph swept the season, winning for her deeply moving performance as a grieving cafeteria manager in Alexander Payne's The Holdovers.
Writing and Feature Categories
Original and Adapted Screenplay categories recognized sharp, risk-taking storytelling.
- Best Original Screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari took home the trophy for the gripping courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall.
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Cord Jefferson won for American Fiction, adapting Percival Everett's novel Erasure into a razor-sharp satire.
- Best International Feature Film: Jonathan Glazer’s chilling masterpiece The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom) took the award, utilizing groundbreaking sound design to convey unimaginable horror.
- Best Animated Feature Film: Hayao Miyazaki’s imaginative fantasy The Boy and the Heron added another historic win to Studio Ghibli's legacy.
Technical Excellence and Craft Wins
While the major performance and directing awards grab headlines, the technical categories tell the story of how films achieve their distinct look and feel. Oppenheimer proved unstoppable in crafts, winning Best Cinematography for Hoyte van Hoytema, Best Film Editing for Jennifer Lame, and Best Original Score for Ludwig Göransson.
The sound category saw The Zone of Interest win for its haunting, avant-garde soundscape created by Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn. In visual effects, the Japanese historical monster film Godzilla Minus One made history by becoming the first film in the franchise—and the first non-Hollywood studio blockbuster in its category—to win Best Visual Effects, proving that compelling character stakes matter far more than inflated budgets.
Memorable Highlights and Surprises
Every Oscar ceremony features unscripted moments that define the broadcast. The 96th Academy Awards delivered several viral highlights that kept viewers talking long after the credits rolled.
Ryan Gosling delivered one of the most energetic live performances in recent Oscar history, turning "I'm Just Ken" from Barbie into a massive, auditorium-wide spectacle complete with dozens of backing Kens, special guest guitarists Slash and Wolfgang Van Halen, and an infectious pink-drenched stage design. The song lost Best Original Song to Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell's poignant "What Was I Made For?" from the same film, but Gosling's performance stole the night's entertainment spotlight.
Another touching moment occurred when John Cena appeared on stage wearing virtually nothing in a playful nod to the infamous 1974 streaker incident involving presenter David Niven, tasked with presenting the award for Best Costume Design (which went to Poor Things).
Documentary filmmaking also received a powerful platform when director Mstyslav Chernov accepted the award for Best Documentary Feature for 20 Days in Mariupol. His raw, emotional speech about the realities of war and the importance of preserving truth resonated deeply with the Dolby Theatre audience, marking Ukraine's first-ever Oscar win.
Common Misconceptions About the Academy Awards
Viewers frequently misunderstand how voting works within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). A common myth is that all members vote across every category. In reality, members vote within their specific branches for nominations—actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors, and so on—while the entire voting body casts ballots for Best Picture.
Another frequent point of confusion involves the Best Picture preferential ballot system. Unlike a standard plurality vote where the option with the most checkmarks wins instantly, the Best Picture category uses a ranked-choice voting method. Voters rank films from first to last. If no film captures over 50 percent of first-place votes in the initial round, the lowest-ranking film is eliminated, and its votes are redistributed to those ballots' second-choice picks. This process repeats until a single film crosses the majority threshold, which often benefits consensus choices that rank high across multiple voting branches rather than polarizing favorites.
You can review the official archive and historical rules directly on the Oscars Official Website or read broader archival coverage via BBC News.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which film won the most awards at the 2024 Oscars?
Oppenheimer dominated the ceremony, winning seven total awards out of its 13 nominations, sweeping both the artistic and technical fields.
Did Barbie win any Oscars?
Yes. Despite entering the night with eight nominations, Barbie won a single Academy Award: Best Original Song for Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell's "What Was I Made For?"
Who hosted the 96th Academy Awards?
Comedian and television host Jimmy Kimmel hosted the ceremony, marking his fourth time guiding the broadcast.
How are Oscar winners chosen?
Nominees are selected by members belonging to their respective branch (e.g., actors vote for actors), while the final winners across all categories are voted on by the roughly 10,000 global members of the Academy. Best Picture uses a unique ranked-choice voting system.
