History and cinema intertwined this year, as the Oscars reflected a year of bold storytelling and historic moments. Oppenheimer, a study of the man behind the atomic bomb, earned Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood. The film received 13 nominations, securing Christopher Nolan his first Best Director Oscar and marking Cillian Murphy’s continued ascent in a career full of high achievements. Awards went to Robert Downey Jr. for supporting actor, with the photography, editing, and soundtrack teams also celebrated for their contributions.
The night delivered a story many expected, yet still carried moments of surprise. Al Pacino’s distinctive delivery added a touch of personality to the ceremony, while Nolan’s body of work solidified its place in contemporary cinema. Hoyte van Hoytema’s cinematography, praised by Nolan and embraced by audiences, anchored the film’s visual impact both on the big screen and in the history books.
In recent years, the Oscars have balanced between prestige projects and independent cinema, recognizing titles like Everything Everywhere All at Once, Coda, Parasite, and Moonlight. This year, Oppenheimer shared the stage with other crowd-pleasers, including a notable competition with Barbie. The film’s worldwide box office neared 1.5 billion dollars, and its long-awaited song, performed by Billie Eilish and Finneas, earned the Oscar for Best Original Song, a moment marked by the youngest winners among the ceremony’s contenders.
Complete list of winners of the 96th Oscars
A few surprises and Stone’s victory
Oppenheimer’s Best Picture win stood among a night full of unexpected moments. The screenplay award went to Anatomy of a Fall, with American Fiction taking the prize in the adapted category. Emma Stone surprised many by clinching Best Actress, marking a historic second Oscar for Stone following La La Land. Poor Creatures and Yorgos Lanthimos were acknowledged for makeup, hair, production design, and costumes, underscoring the diverse talents celebrated that evening.
The ceremony also highlighted Lily Gladstone as a historic nominee in the lead actor category for The Moon Killers, becoming one of the first Native American actors recognized in this field. Meanwhile, Maestro and Past Lives faced tough reception, illustrating how some hoped-for triumphs didn’t fully land for every title.
The end of Spanish dreams and a political night
The pacing of the night carried both predictable applause and notable triumphs. Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Oscar for supporting actress in Those Who Stayed was widely praised. Yet some announced nominations did not translate into wins for titles from Spain, such as a creative work in animation and other closely watched categories. The event underscored how influence and recognition can shift across different branches of cinema, sometimes in surprising ways.
Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan: an obsessive craftsman who tackles nearly impossible tasks
Jonathan Glazer and JA Bayona brought politically charged moments to the Dolby Theatre, reminding viewers of cinema’s power to reflect and challenge reality. Protests surrounding the Gaza conflict briefly paused red-carpet rituals and delayed some broadcast elements. Host Jimmy Kimmel touched on the disruption with humor, while many attendees wore badges and pins in support of a ceasefire, underscoring how art and politics can intersect at the same event.
Among the acceptance speeches, a recurring theme emphasized peace, memory, and responsibility. A prominent moment saw the night’s speakers urging audiences to consider the past openly and to recognize the human costs that history records. The ceremony also highlighted the responsibility of filmmakers to demonstrate courage, empathy, and honesty in their storytelling.
The night’s conversations extended beyond the stage. Filmmakers and performers spoke about the enduring impact of cinema on memory and history, reminding audiences that films do more than entertain—they shape how generations understand the world and its struggles. The celebration of craft, performance, and technical achievement stood alongside discussions of urgent global concerns, inviting a broader reflection on the power of moving pictures to influence thought and action.
This year’s Oscars reaffirmed cinema’s role as a mirror and a message builder, a place where artistry and conscience meet under the bright lights of a theater and in the shared memory of audiences everywhere.