Oppenheimer Dominates the 96th Oscars: Full Winners Recap

The Oscar night celebrated a dominant run for Nolan and the film Oppenheimer, which captured an impressive haul at the 96th Academy Awards. Across the ceremony, the biographical drama emerged as a central force, earning a total of thirteen wins and consolidating its status as a defining title of the season. In the eyes of many viewers in Canada and the United States, the film’s resonance came not just from its intense storytelling but also from its craft, which elevated the film to the top of the night’s honors. This recap highlights the major categories and the performers and creatives who helped shape that triumph.

Here is the list of winners, presented with a focus on the performances, design, and technical excellence that defined the evening for audiences and industry professionals alike. Each entry reflects the consensus of voting bodies and the critics who followed along with keen attention to how these achievements translate to lasting influence in contemporary cinema.

BEST MOVIE

Oppenheimer. The film stood tall as a centerpiece of the ceremony, celebrated for its ambitious direction, moral depth, and meticulous reconstruction of a pivotal historical moment. Across the night, it was acknowledged for its ability to blend intimate character moments with sweeping, high-stakes narrative scope, making it a standout choice that resonated with Canadian and American audiences alike.

BEST ADDRESS

Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer. Nolan’s leadership and vision were repeatedly cited as instrumental in shaping the film’s executive decisions, pacing, and overall storytelling coherence. His work on this project continued to influence conversations about directing craft and narrative architecture within contemporary American and international cinema.

BEST ACTOR

Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer. Murphy’s portrayal offered a disciplined, restrained performance that captured the psychological weight of the lead role. His grounded approach attracted widespread praise for revealing the character’s moral ambivalence and intellectual intensity, a combination that resonated with audiences on both sides of the border.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Robert Downey Jr. for Oppenheimer. Downey’s contribution added a nuanced contrast to the central performance, bringing a layer of complexity and wit that complemented the film’s broader emotional arc. His recognition underscored the value of strong supporting roles in elevating an ensemble piece.

BEST ACTRESS

Emma Stone for Poor Creatures. Stone delivered a compelling turn that showcased versatility and emotional range, reinforcing her status as one of the period’s most reliable actors. The performance connected with audiences through a blend of vulnerability and resilience that transcends genre boundaries.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Da’Vine Joy Randolph for The Leftovers. Randolph’s performance brought unforgettable energy and depth, marking a standout moment in a year filled with remarkable ensemble work. Her portrayal helped define the category with a memorable, character-driven intensity.

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

Interest by Jonathan Glazer. This selection highlighted a bold, provocative work that sparked conversations about cross-cultural storytelling and cinematic experimentation. It signaled broad appreciation for risk-taking in global cinema across Canada, the United States, and beyond.

BEST ANIMATED MOVIE

The Boy and the Heron by Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki’s latest feature continued the studio’s tradition of thoughtful, visually striking storytelling, resonating with both younger audiences and adult viewers who value artistic craft and imaginative worlds.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY

Hoyte van Hoytema for Oppenheimer. The cinematography drew critical attention for its stark contrast, luminous textures, and the way light and shadow were used to heighten emotional intensity. The visual language contributed decisively to the film’s immersive experience across theatres in North America.

BEST INSTALLATION

Oppenheimer. The ceremony honored the film’s comprehensive production approach, recognizing how its sensory design and technical execution created a cohesive, world-building experience that studios and audiences alike admired.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Holly Waddington for Poor Creatures. The costumes complemented the storytelling with careful period accuracy and character-driven choices, enhancing atmosphere and helping to convey subtexts about status, mood, and transformation throughout the narrative.

BEST Adapted Screenplay

Cord Jefferson in American Fiction. The adapted screenplay was praised for its sharp dialogue, structural clarity, and the way it translated source material into a film that felt both fresh and deeply aware of its cinematic lineage.

BEST ORIGINAL SCRIPT

Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for Anatomy of a Fall. The writing duo delivered a compelling, morally intricate narrative that kept audiences guessing while maintaining a strong emotional throughline and a distinctive voice.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM

20 days in Mariupol by Mstyslav Chernov. This documentary was recognized for its on-the-ground immediacy, ethical storytelling, and unflinching portrait of real-world events, making a powerful impact on viewers seeking truth-telled cinema.

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

The Last Garage by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers. The short film was celebrated for its intimate perspective, tight narrative focus, and ability to convey meaningful human experiences within a compact runtime.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Poor Creatures. The production design earned praise for its immersive environments, precise texture work, and the way it supported the film’s themes and character journeys throughout.

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS

Godzilla Minus One. The effects team was lauded for delivering convincing, visceral monster sequences that felt integrated with practical realism and cinematic spectacle.

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

War is Over! Inspired by the music of John & Yoko by Dave Mullins and Brad Booker. This short was recognized for its bold visual experimentation and emotionally resonant storytelling, anchored by a memorable musical heritage.

BEST FICTION SHORT FILM

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Wes Anderson. The fiction short highlighted Anderson’s signature style, combining whimsy with precise craft to deliver an unforgettable miniature cinema experience.

THE BEST MAKEUP AND HAIR STYLING DESIGN

Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston for Poor Creatures. The team earned acclaim for transforming characters with convincing continuity, texture, and expressive details that enhanced performance and mood.

BEST MUSIC

Oppenheimer. The film’s score was acknowledged for elevating scenes with its haunting themes, driving tension, and emotional resonance that linger in memory after the credits roll.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

What Was I Created For?, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell. The song joined the film in a way that amplified key moments, offering a melodic thread that matched the narrative arc and the film’s emotional tempo.

BEST SOUND

Area of Interest. The sound design stood out for its precise layering, clarity, and spatial realism, contributing significantly to the immersive experience and the film’s overall impact.