96th Academy Awards Winners: Oppenheimer Dominates as Cinema Is Celebrated

The winners of the 96th Academy Awards were announced in a ceremony that emphasized craft, storytelling, and the collaborative work of filmmakers. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer emerged as the evening’s most awarded film, taking home multiple top prizes including Best Picture and Best Director. The ceremony returned to a tone of refined celebration, honoring both high-profile and underdog achievements across categories.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the broadcast took a more reserved approach compared with past years. The production focused on highlights of the filmmaking process: elegant staging, a respectful In Memoriam segment, and concise tributes to acting nominees read by former winners. Rather than relying on spectacle, the show prioritized recognition of artistic and technical contributions to cinema.

Major Winners and Notable Highlights

Oppenheimer was the night’s standout, winning awards for Best Picture, Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Cinematography, Film Editing, Original Score, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Cillian Murphy), and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Downey Jr.). The film’s success marked a significant achievement for a historical drama that combined large-scale storytelling with meticulous attention to technical detail.

Emma Stone won Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Poor Things, delivering an emotional acceptance speech that underscored the film’s bold creative choices. Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things also received recognition in Production Design, Makeup & Hairstyling, and Costume Design, rewarding its inventive visual and world-building elements.

International Feature Film recognition made history as The Zone of Interest became the first film from the United Kingdom to win in this category, despite being predominantly in German. The win highlighted the global nature of modern filmmaking and the Academy’s willingness to honor films that transcend national language boundaries.

Low-budget contender Godzilla: Minus One pulled off an upset by winning Visual Effects against films with significantly larger budgets. The victory acknowledged creative visual work delivered under financial constraints and demonstrated that impressive effects work isn’t solely the domain of blockbuster spending.

Full List of Winners (Selected Categories)

Best Picture: Oppenheimer

International Feature Film: The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom)

Animated Feature Film: The Boy and the Heron

Documentary Feature Film: 20 Days in Mariupol

Directing: Christopher Nolan — Oppenheimer

Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema — Oppenheimer

Film Editing: Jennifer Lame — Oppenheimer

Actress in a Leading Role: Emma Stone — Poor Things

Actor in a Leading Role: Cillian Murphy — Oppenheimer

Actress in a Supporting Role: Da’Vine Joy Randolph — The Holdovers

Actor in a Supporting Role: Robert Downey Jr. — Oppenheimer

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Cord Jefferson — American Fiction

Writing (Original Screenplay): Justine Triet & Arthur Harari — Anatomy of a Fall

Costume Design: Poor Things

Makeup & Hairstyling: Poor Things

Production Design: Poor Things

Visual Effects: Godzilla: Minus One

Music (Original Score): Ludwig Göransson — Oppenheimer

Music (Original Song): “What Was I Made For?” — Barbie

Sound: The Zone of Interest

Short Films and Documentary Shorts

Animated Short Film: War Is Over! Inspired the Music of John & Yoko

Documentary Short Film: The Last Repair Shop

Live Action Short Film: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Why This Ceremony Mattered

The 96th Academy Awards reinforced the idea that the Academy remains committed to honoring both large-scale achievements and smaller, risk-taking works. Several winners demonstrated that innovation, strong performances, and thoughtful craftsmanship can win recognition alongside more commercially prominent films. The evening celebrated a wide spectrum of cinematic art — from historical epic to intimate character study, from international storytelling to creative genre filmmaking.

For audiences and industry professionals alike, the ceremony served as a reminder of the diverse talents that shape modern cinema. The distribution of awards highlighted collaborative excellence across directing, acting, writing, design, and technical categories, underscoring how many different skills contribute to memorable film experiences.

As awards season continues to evolve, the 96th Academy Awards stands out for its emphasis on craft and storytelling, spotlighting films that combine ambitious vision with technical mastery.