Chaos, tears, and a shower of golden trophies – the 2023 Oscars delivered everything from historic wins to jaw-dropping speeches, with Everything Everywhere All At Once sweeping through the night to claim Best Picture and rewrite awards season history.
The 2023 Oscars proceeded with the usual opening pomp and grand celebrity fashion show, as expected from Hollywood’s biggest night. The red carpet was full of wild questions, Jimmy Kimmel opened the night with expected slap jokes, then Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis won the audience’s heart with their moving, emotional acceptance speeches for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. David Byrne donned a pair of hot-dog-finger gloves while performing an original song from Everything Everywhere All At Once, alongside Mitski. And Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava tore up the stage with their performance of “Naatu Naatu” from S. S. Rajamouli’s Oscar-nominated Indian action epic RRR.
If you didn’t catch the three-hour-plus broadcast – or just want to relive some of the night’s brightest and weirdest moments – we’ve rounded up the best, the funniest, the most touching, and most exhilarating moments from tonight’s Academy Awards ceremony.
Let’s get down to it!
Questlove shows off his diamond-encrusted Crocs
Questlove turned heads on the red carpet with his custom diamond-encrusted Crocs, adding playful flair to the evening’s glamour. The musician and filmmaker paired the sparkling shoes with a sleek black suit, proving that comfort and originality can share the same spotlight. His bold footwear choice became one of the night’s most talked-about fashion moments, blending humor, confidence, and unmistakable style.
This year at the Oscars, plenty of attendees showed up in white or cream-accented outfits to complement the ceremony’s extravagant pale entranceway, nicknamed the “Champagne Carpet.” Not Questlove, though. The Oscar-winning director and iconic joint frontman of The Roots showed up in nothing short of diamond-encrusted Crocs, stating that he’s “just been choosing comfort for years now,” and he’s showing up to “shine his light.”
I just got one question, though: What are those?
Hugh Grant is here, and man, he is so over it
Hugh Grant delivered one of the most talked-about moments on the red carpet, where his dry humor and visible disinterest turned a simple interview into viral gold. His curt responses to questions and barely concealed boredom made social media light up, cementing his role as the night’s most unintentionally entertaining guest. It was peak British sarcasm on display, perfectly contrasting the glitz and enthusiasm surrounding the 2023 Oscars.
Did you know that Hugh Grant was in Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion? It’s true, he makes a brief (and I mean brief) appearance at the beginning, as Phillip, partner to detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). He’s there for like, all of five seconds.
Anyway, Grant was asked what it was like to film the movie, and whether he had fun. His answer: Ehhh?
The Snyder bros are back, and they are being extremely normal
The Snyder brothers crashed the 2023 Oscars with their signature deadpan delivery, cracking wise about Everything Everywhere All at Once sweeping Best Picture. Zack and his brother traded barbs on multiverse madness and Michelle Yeoh’s win, somehow keeping it straight-faced amid the glamour. Their banter cut through the ceremony’s high drama, landing zingers on Hollywood’s wildest night without missing a beat.
Remember when Zack Snyder’s Justice League (not to be confused with 2017’s Justice League) won the coveted #OscarsCheersMoment prize at last year’s Academy Awards ceremony? No? Well, the Snyder bros of the world sure do, and they’re clutching that “W” hard, like the prickly armored vice-grip of Steppenwolf. Somebody even went so far as to fly a plane trailing a banner over the Oscars red carpet, just to remind folks that it happened.
Jimmy Kimmel mocks the Nicole Kidman AMC ad
Jimmy Kimmel took a playful jab at Nicole Kidman’s viral AMC Theatres ad during his Oscars monologue, referencing her dramatic line about the magic of moviegoing. The audience laughed as the camera cut to Kidman smiling in the crowd, clearly in on the joke. It was a lighthearted moment that set an easygoing tone for the rest of the show.
We come to the 95th Academy Awards ceremony for magic. We come to laugh, to cry, to care. That indescribable feeling we get when Jimmy Kimmel parachutes from the ceiling onto the stage and proceeds to riff on Nicole Kidman’s viral AMC ad, expressing gratitude that she’s free from that “abandoned theater she’s been trapped in for two years,” and snickering about how the ad urges people who are already in the theater to go to the theater. Because we need that – all of us.
Naatu Naatu dancers pulled Kimmel off stage
Naatu Naatu dancers stole the show onstage at Kimmel, delivering a high-energy surprise that became one of the evening’s most talked-about moments.
Getting played off by the Jaws theme song? Pssh, been there, done that. This year, Kimmel claimed, any Oscar winner who went overboard on their acceptance speech would get Naatu Naatu’d off the stage, which he promptly demonstrated.
Ke Huy Quan wins the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor
Ke Huy Quan received the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his heartfelt performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once. His emotional acceptance speech reflected his remarkable return to Hollywood after decades away from the industry, moving both audiences and fellow actors. The award marked a triumphant moment for Quan and added to the film’s sweeping success throughout the night.
Ke Huy Quan accepted the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as Waymond Wang in the Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once. Quan delivered a moving acceptance speech dedicated to his mother and his wife Echo, to roaring applause, recalling the story of his time in a refugee camp in Hong Kong as a child, and his arrival in America.
Jamie Lee Curtis dedicating her win to her parents – because Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh never won an Oscar
Jamie Lee Curtis dedicated her win to her parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, highlighting that they never won an Oscar themselves and emphasizing the lasting impact of their legacy on the film world.
Jamie Lee Curtis accepted the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Deirdre Beaubeirdre in the Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once – the first nomination and first win in her 46-year career. She dedicated her award to her father Tony Curtis and her mother Janet Leigh, who never won Oscars, but were nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, for their performances in 1958’s The Defiant Ones and 1960’s Psycho.
The live-action-short winner sings “Happy birthday”
During the ceremony, the winner of Best Live Action Short, Charlie Mackesy, surprised the audience with a brief song of “Happy Birthday” dedicated to his film’s producer. The lighthearted moment drew laughter and applause, breaking the formal rhythm of the evening and reminding everyone that even amid Hollywood’s grandeur, spontaneous joy has its place.
Tom Berkley and Ross White’s An Irish Goodbye won the award for Best Live Action Short at the 95th Academy Awards. Berkley took the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of the film’s co-star James Martin, by dedicating half his winner’s speech slot to a sing-along rendition of “Happy Birthday to You.”
David Byrne in hot-dog fingers
David Byrne turned heads at the 2023 Oscars by performing in a pair of hot-dog finger gloves, a hilarious nod to Everything Everywhere All At Once. The surreal prop, instantly recognizable to fans of the film, captured the weird humor and boundless creativity that defined the night’s biggest winner. Alongside his performance partners, Byrne leaned fully into the absurdity, turning what could have been a simple musical number into one of the ceremony’s most talked-about moments.
Stephanie Hsu and David Byrne took to the stage for a performance of “This Is A Life” from the Everything Everywhere All At Once soundtrack, with the latter donning a hot-dog-finger gloves to celebrate the occasion. That’s not all: Raccacoonie even made a surreal, glow-eyed appearance! Wow, all the stars really are out here tonight!
The donkey from Banshees of Inisherin hits the stage
Jenny, the sweet donkey from The Banshees of Inisherin, made an unexpected appearance during the Oscar ceremony, stealing the spotlight much like she did in the film. Her brief moment on stage brought smiles and laughter across the audience, offering a lighthearted break amid the evening’s emotional speeches and high-stakes awards. It was a playful nod to one of the year’s most memorable characters and a reminder of how the film’s quiet humor and charm reached audiences worldwide.
Following a commercial break, Jimmy Kimmel brought out Jenny, the donkey that starred alongside Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin, describing Jenny as a “certified emotional support donkey” while encouraging her to thank Gleeson for letting her eat his finger. Awww!
[Ed. note: The donkey seen on stage is confirmed to not be Jenny the Donkey, but in fact an imposter! Booooo!]
Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava perform “Naatu Naatu,” confirmed as a “total banger”
Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava lit up the Oscars stage with an electrifying performance of “Naatu Naatu,” bringing infectious energy and rhythm that had the crowd on its feet. Their powerful vocals and synchronized moves captured the spirit of the hit track from RRR, while the audience cheered along. The number’s explosive energy stood out as one of the most thrilling highlights of the night, turning the Dolby Theatre into a celebration of Telugu cinema on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava – the playback singers who performed “Naatu Naatu” in S.S. Rajamouli’s Indian action drama RRR in place of the film’s stars, N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan – took to the stage for a performance of the song, complete with all the exhausting-looking dance choreography from the movie itself. Naturally, this one later won the Best Song Oscar.
Cocaine Bear showed up
Cocaine Bear stormed the Oscars stage in one of the night’s most unexpected comedy bits, drawing loud cheers from the audience. The actor in the bear suit, referencing the wild movie inspired by a true story, joined Elizabeth Banks to present an award. The moment added a touch of absurd humor to an otherwise glamorous evening and quickly went viral across social media.
There he is. Cocaine Bear.
Lady Gaga’s emotional performance of her Top Gun: Maverick song
Lady Gaga delivered a heartfelt rendition of her song from Top Gun: Maverick, bringing a quiet intensity to the ceremony. Dressed in simple black attire, she stripped away the film’s grandeur to focus on raw emotion, her voice carrying both vulnerability and power. The performance stood out as one of the night’s most intimate moments, drawing the audience into the song’s themes of courage and connection.
Lady Gaga changed out of her champagne-carpet duds and into a plain black T-shirt and torn jeans for a passionate, intimate performance of her original song “Hold My Hand” from the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack. Gaga’s performance was particularly striking for its otherwise sparse presentation and dynamic cinematography. The performance ended with a touching dedication to Top Gun director Tony Scott, who died in 2012.
Hugh Grant calls his face “basically a scrotum”
Hugh Grant brought his trademark sarcasm to the 2023 Oscars, joking during a red carpet interview that his face now resembles “a scrotum.” The remark, delivered with perfect deadpan timing, immediately went viral and drew laughter online. His self-deprecating humor stood out in an evening otherwise dominated by glitz, glamour, and emotional speeches, reminding viewers why his wit remains as sharp as ever.
Hugh Grant certainly seem to lighten up as the night went along, joking with his speech partner Andie Macdowell about the importance of regularly applying moisturizer while presenting the award for Best Production Design. Grant went so far as to compare Macdowell as “still stunning” thanks to her regular skin routine, meanwhile comparing himself to “a scrotum.” Hey, if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?
Malala declines to weigh in on Spitgate 2021
Malala Yousafzai drew attention on the Oscars red carpet not only for her shimmering gown but also for her calm response during a lighthearted interview referencing 2021’s so-called “Spitgate” drama between Harry Styles and Chris Pine. When asked for her thoughts on the viral incident, Malala gracefully declined to comment, saying she only speaks about peace. Her quick wit and composed demeanor earned applause online, reinforcing her reputation for dignity even in the most unexpected moments.
Midway through the show, Kimmel took to the aisles to ask “viewer-submitted questions” of some of the audience’s most distinguished guests, starting with Malala Yousafzai. The Pakistani education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate was asked for her take on whether Harry Styles spat on Chris Pine while promoting Olivia Wilde’s 2022 psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling. Obviously taken aback by the brazen silliness of the question, Yousafzai curtly yet politely replied, “I only talk about peace.” Now that is what we should expect from a Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
The Daniels deliver a frantic top-speed double speech
The Daniels fire off a blistering, breathless rapid-fire exchange, each line snapping into the next with relentless energy as the room holds its breath.
Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (aka the Daniels) accepted the award for Best Original Screenplay for Everything Everywhere All At Once by trading turns at the mic and trying to cram in as much speech as possible. Scheinert pretended he was about to call out all the mean teachers who gave him detention, then thanked the ones who changed his life instead. Kwan professed his love of storytelling amid a touching admission of imposter syndrome. The speech read as if they were afraid – like so many nominees before them – that they might be overlooked in the other categories, and wouldn’t get a chance back onstage, so they had to make the most of their moment. Little did they know.
Sarah Polley wins, Frances McDormand looms
Sarah Polley took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Women Talking, marking a proud moment for independent filmmaking and female-driven stories. Her calm confidence backstage contrasted sharply with the larger-than-life presence of producer Frances McDormand, who supported the project from its earliest days. McDormand’s influence was felt throughout the night, a quiet reminder of the power behind the scenes that helps bold voices like Polley’s reach the stage.
A spectre is haunting Sarah Polley – the spectre of Francis McDormand. The director took to the stage to accept the award for Best Adapted Screenplay on behalf of her 2022 film Women Talking.
Polley delivered a moving speech about the film’s message about people’s power to disagree while still coming together to build a better future. But she wasn’t the only center of attention. A gigantic screenshot of Frances McDormand, who starred in the film, loomed over Polley’s shoulder with an expression that bore a striking resemblance to Death from Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal by way of the Engineer from Ridley Scott’s Prometheus. Beautiful speech, but seriously, WTF was that about?
RRR composer gives his winner’s speech in song
Composer M.M. Keeravani turned his acceptance speech for RRR’s Oscar win into a musical moment, singing his thanks instead of speaking them. Accompanied by the tune of a classic pop hit, he cleverly wove gratitude toward the Academy, his team, and India into the lyrics, drawing cheers and laughter from the audience. It was a heartfelt and playful highlight that captured the spirit of celebration sweeping the ceremony.
RRR composer M. M. Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose took to the stage to accept the award for Best Original Song for “Naatu Naatu.” Keeravaani, who professed his love for The Carpenters, sung his acceptance speech to the tune of their 1972 song “Top of the World.”
The Daniels return and win Best Director
The Daniels returned to the Oscar stage and celebrated with a Best Director win that capped a night full of bold, boundary-pushing moments.
The Daniels took to the Oscars stage to receive yet another award, this time for Best Director. Scheinert took the opportunity to thank his parents for encouraging his creativity, while Kwan delivered a passionate speech on the collaborative nature of genius and the inherent greatness within every person.
Brendan Fraser mixes whale metaphors in his Best Actor speech
Brendan Fraser delivered an emotional and slightly whimsical speech after winning Best Actor for The Whale, weaving ocean imagery into his gratitude. He thanked director Darren Aronofsky for giving him the chance to resurface after years away from major roles, comparing his career comeback to rising from the depths. With visible emotion, Fraser spoke about endurance, trust, and second chances, leaving the audience both moved and charmed by his heartfelt metaphors.
Brendan Fraser accepted the award for Best Actor for his starring role in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale. Through tears, Fraser thanked Aronofsky for “throwing him a creative lifeline” and praised the cast and crew of The Whale alongside the other nominees, all via a series of extended whale metaphors. Fraser’s victory was the brightest spot in a controversial film, marking the end of a very long and difficult comeback for the actor.
Michelle Yeoh wins Best Actress
Michelle Yeoh made history by winning Best Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, becoming the first Asian woman to receive the award. Her performance as Evelyn Wang was praised for its depth and emotional range, anchoring a film that swept several major categories. Yeoh’s win marked a powerful moment of recognition for her decades-long career and a broader celebration of diversity in Hollywood.
Everything Everywhere All At Once continued its sweep, with Michelle Yeoh winning the award for Best Actress. (Which puts Everything Everywhere All At Once at three out of four of the acting awards – something that’s only happened two other times in Oscar history.)
Yeoh is the first Asian actor to win the Best Actress Oscar. She began her speech saying, “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dreams come true. And ladies. never let anybody tell you that you are past your prime.”
Everything Everywhere All At Once wins Best Picture
“Everything Everywhere All At Once” claimed the night’s top honor, taking home Best Picture and marking a major triumph for independent cinema. The film dazzled audiences with its bold storytelling, blending humor, emotion, and surreal action into a genre-bending experience. Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert also received Oscars for Best Director, while Michelle Yeoh’s historic win for Best Actress crowned an evening that celebrated creativity and risk-taking in filmmaking.
After sweeping the major categories all night, it wasn’t so much a surprise that the A24 multiverse dramedy picked up the top prize of the night. Victories are rarely this sweet.
“This is for my dad,” said producer Jonathan Wang, “who like so many immigrant parents, died young. He is so proud of me. not because of this, but because we made this movie with what he taught me to do: That no person is no important than profits, and no one is more important than anyone else.”
Harrison Ford gives Ke Huy Quan a big Temple of Doom hug
After years apart, Harrison Ford and Ke Huy Quan shared an emotional reunion on the Oscars stage. The two, who first worked together in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, embraced as Ford presented Everything Everywhere All At Once with the Best Picture award. Quan’s wide smile and Ford’s warm reaction captured one of the night’s most heartfelt moments, bringing nostalgia and joy to fans of both stars.
The producers of the 2023 Oscars knew what they were doing when they asked Ford to present the Best Picture Oscar – Everything Everywhere All at Once was the clear favorite for the win, and putting the legend on stage meant the potential for an adorable reunion with his former Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom co-star Ke Huy Quan. And that’s exactly what happened, minutes after the EEAAO cast took the stage for the Best Picture win. I mean, c’mon, this echo of their long-ago movie is a great moment in award-show history.
Full list of 2023 Oscars winners by category
Here is the full list of 2023 Oscars (95th Academy Awards) winners by category, using standard published winner lists.
Top categories
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Best Picture – Everything Everywhere All at Once.
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Best Director – Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once.
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Best Actor – Brendan Fraser, The Whale.
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Best Actress – Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once.
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Best Supporting Actor – Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once.
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Best Supporting Actress – Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Screenplay
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Best Original Screenplay – Everything Everywhere All at Once (Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert).
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Best Adapted Screenplay – Women Talking (Sarah Polley).
Animation and international
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Best Animated Feature Film – Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
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Best International Feature Film – All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany).
Documentary
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Best Documentary Feature – Navalny.
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Best Documentary Short Film – The Elephant Whisperers.
Shorts (non-documentary)
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Best Animated Short Film – The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
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Best Live Action Short Film – An Irish Goodbye.
Craft / technical categories
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Best Cinematography – All Quiet on the Western Front (James Friend).
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Best Film Editing – Everything Everywhere All at Once (Paul Rogers).
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Best Production Design – All Quiet on the Western Front (Christian M. Goldbeck & Ernestine Hipper).
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Best Costume Design – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Ruth E. Carter).
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Best Makeup and Hairstyling – The Whale.
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Best Visual Effects – Avatar: The Way of Water.
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Best Sound – Top Gun: Maverick.
Music
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Best Original Score – All Quiet on the Western Front (Volker Bertelmann).
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Best Original Song – “Naatu Naatu,” RRR (music by M.M. Keeravaani, lyrics by Chandrabose).
Note
This list reflects the standard 23 competitive categories that were presented for the 95th Academy Awards in 2023 and matches multiple major outlets’ complete-winners rundowns.
What were the biggest surprises in 2023 Oscars winners
Several outcomes at the 2023 Oscars were widely described as surprises or at least less-expected results, even in a night where many major races went to the presumed favorites.
Acting-category surprises
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Jamie Lee Curtis winning Best Supporting Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once was one of the clearest surprises, since Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) had been treated as the frontrunner for much of awards season and results had been very split among precursors.
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Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan’s wins were highly anticipated, but the extent of Everything Everywhere All at Once’s dominance in the acting categories (three wins) still went beyond what some awards-watchers expected going into the night.
Sweep strength of Everything Everywhere All at Once
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Everything Everywhere All at Once sweeping seven Oscars and taking six of the top “above-the-line” prizes (Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress) was labeled a surprise in terms of scale, since most pundits predicted a strong showing but not near-total domination.
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This level of concentration of wins meant several other heavily nominated films-like The Banshees of Inisherin, Elvis, The Fabelmans, Tár, and Triangle of Sadness-were completely shut out, which many commentators considered an implicit surprise or “negative shock” of the night.
Technical and craft upsets
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All Quiet on the Western Front winning Best Production Design over more “showy” period spectacles like Elvis and Babylon stood out as a surprise result, given pre-ceremony predictions that favored those films’ elaborate sets.
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The same film’s strong overall haul (International Feature, Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design) also exceeded some expectations and made it the second-biggest winner of the night, which awards coverage highlighted as one of the broader surprises.
Song and performance angles
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“Naatu Naatu” from RRR winning Best Original Song was seen as a happy surprise in some quarters, as it beat high-profile nominees tied to huge franchises and stars, including Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand”.
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Lady Gaga’s stripped-down, no-makeup performance of “Hold My Hand” itself was often described as an unexpected creative choice compared with the more polished spectacle many anticipated from her.
Overall, pundits noted that the 2023 ceremony had fewer genuine upsets than some past years, but pointed especially to Curtis’s win, All Quiet on the Western Front’s craft strength, and the sheer scale of Everything Everywhere All at Once’s sweep as the biggest “surprise” storylines among the winners.
