The 2024 Oscars dazzled with unforgettable moments-from “Oppenheimer” sweeping seven awards including Best Picture and Christopher Nolan’s first directing Oscar, to Emma Stone’s surprise win for Best Actress in “Poor Things,” and Robert Downey Jr.’s emotional supporting actor victory. The night also featured a jaw-dropping nude cameo by John Cena, a show-stopping performance of “I’m Just Ken” by Ryan Gosling with Slash on guitar, and a heartfelt standing ovation for Billie Eilish’s Oscar-nominated song from “Barbie.” Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the ceremony was a rollercoaster of laughter, tears, and historic wins that kept Hollywood buzzing long after the final award was handed out.
The night always kicks off before the event officially starts, with some absolutely killer red carpet moments (and this year, a very good dog made a special appearance). Best Supporting Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph and The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer gave some powerful speeches. Billie Eilish and Ryan Gosling brought the Barbie soundtrack to life. The Boy and the Heron beat out some worthy competitors for Best Animated Feature.
Oh, also John Cena got naked!
In case you missed the three-hour-long broadcast – or you just want to relive some of the best moments – here are the biggest moments from the 2024 Academy Awards.
Messi seated at the Oscars
Messi, the seven-year-old border collie and breakout star of the Oscar-winning film Anatomy of a Fall, made a memorable appearance at the 2024 Oscars by having his own seat at the ceremony. Known for his role as Snoop, the service dog in the film, Messi captured the hearts of attendees and viewers alike, even sporting a bow tie for the occasion. His presence among the celebrities added a charming and unique moment to the star-studded event, with many fans sharing pictures and videos of the adorable canine on social media.
The Oscars is all about deciding who is the year’s best actor, actress, and director, but one question that’s somehow eluded the Academy until this year: Who’s a good boy? Or rather, who is the year’s goodest boy? Messi the dog from Anatomy of a Fall, that’s who! There was a bit of uncertainty if everyone’s favorite pooch was coming to this year’s ceremony, but luckily, Messi was able to clear his busy schedule to make an appearance at Hollywood’s biggest night.
Eugene Lee Yang stuns in his scene-stealing Oscar look
Eugene Lee Yang stole the spotlight at the 2024 Oscars with a stunning red gown featuring a dramatic train, perfectly blending classic elegance with bold, modern flair. Despite being a late invitee without a secured look initially, he arrived with confidence and poise, captivating photographers and fans alike. His fashion choice, described as both timeless and on-trend, was praised for its impeccable tailoring and striking silhouette, marking a triumphant moment that many saw as a stylish redemption after his previous Met Gala experience. Eugene’s appearance not only celebrated his role in the nominated film Nimona but also showcased his fearless and radiant presence on Hollywood’s biggest night.
It’s expected that if you’re walking the red carpet for the Oscars, you need to show up in your most eye-popping formal attire. Nimona star and former Try Guy Eugene Lee Yang showed up tonight intent to take home the honor for this year’s most attention-grabbing ensemble: An elegant red suit jacket complimented with a long flowing dress bottom.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph wins best speech with the night’s first speech
Da’Vine Joy Randolph opened the 2024 Oscars with a powerful and heartfelt acceptance speech after winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Holdovers. She expressed deep gratitude to her mother, mentors, and all who supported her journey, emphasizing a personal revelation: “For so long, I’ve always wanted to be different, and now I realize I just need to be myself.” Her emotional words resonated with the audience, blending humor and sincerity, and set a moving tone for the night’s ceremony.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph gave a moving speech while accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers. Co-star Paul Giamatti, who walked Da’Vine up to the stage when her name was announced, shed visible tears as Randolph talked about the power of being seen, accepted, and celebrated for her worth and thanking her mother, teachers, and publicists for guiding and supporting her in her career.
The Boy and the Heron wins, Hayao Miyazaki stays home
At the 2024 Oscars, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” won the Best Animated Feature award, triumphing over strong contenders like Disney’s “Elemental” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Despite this prestigious win, Miyazaki did not attend the ceremony, with producer Toshio Suzuki accepting the award on his behalf. The film, a semi-autobiographical story set during World War Two, showcases Miyazaki’s signature hand-drawn animation style and took about a decade to complete. This victory marks Miyazaki’s second Oscar, the first being for “Spirited Away” in 2003, further cementing his legacy as a master animator while signaling a new era in animation that honors traditional techniques in a digital age.
While this year’s Best Animated Feature category was stacked with terrific nominees, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron were the films most favored to win the prestigious award. After months of anticipation, The Boy and the Heron was finally revealed to be this year’s winner for Best Animated Feature.
His first feature-length animated film in over a decade, The Boy and the Heron marks Miyazaki’s second time winning the award for Best Animated Feature after his landmark win for 2001’s Spirited Away.
Cord Jefferson calls out risk-averse studios taking risks on $200 million movies
Cord Jefferson, upon winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “American Fiction,” used his acceptance speech to critique Hollywood’s risk-averse nature. He pointed out that while studios often hesitate to back smaller films, investing in $200 million blockbusters is itself a significant risk that doesn’t always pay off. Jefferson urged the industry to diversify its investments by producing multiple lower-budget films-suggesting making 20 films at $10 million each or 50 at $4 million-rather than focusing on a few high-budget projects. His plea emphasized the need to provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers and to broaden the range of stories told in cinema, highlighting that many talented creators are waiting for their chance to shine.
Cord Jefferson accepted the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on American Fiction. In his speech, Jefferson took a moment to call out Hollywood studios to take more chances on original films like American Fiction. “I understand this is a risk-averse industry,” Jefferson said. “But instead of making one $200 million movies, try making ten $20 million movies. The next Scorsese is out there, the next Nolan is out there; they just want a shot.”
Billie Eilish melts the audience by performing “What Was I Made For?”
Billie Eilish delivered a deeply moving performance of “What Was I Made For?” at the 2024 Oscars, captivating the audience with her emotional vocals alongside her brother Finneas on piano. The stage was set simply, with the siblings joined by a string section that heightened the song’s delicate intensity. Their heartfelt rendition, drawn from the Barbie soundtrack, resonated powerfully throughout the theater, moving many-including cast members and celebrities-to tears. The performance concluded with a standing ovation, underscoring the profound impact Eilish’s artistry had on the night and cementing the song’s place as the winner for Best Original Song at the ceremony.
Billie Eilish took the stage with her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell for a stirring orchestral rendition of her song ’What Was I Made For?’ from the Barbie soundtrack. The song is nominated for this year’s Best Original Song alongside fellow Barbie track “I’m Just Ken.”
Naked John Cena gets performance anxiety streaking across the stage
At the 2024 Oscars, John Cena created a memorable moment by nearly streaking across the stage in a humorous nod to the infamous 1974 Oscars streaker incident. Initially hesitant and joking about the male body not being a joke, Cena appeared almost naked, wearing a flesh-colored sling and holding the winner’s envelope to cover himself as he presented the award for Best Costume Design to “Poor Things.” This playful act paid tribute to the legendary streaker Robert Opel, adding levity to the prestigious event while sparking laughter among the audience and viewers alike.
The male body is not a joke, Jimmy Kimmel.
And in case you were wondering. yes, he really was buns out.
The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer calls attention to the ongoing Israeli-Palestine conflict
At the 2024 Oscars, Jonathan Glazer, director of the Holocaust-themed film The Zone of Interest, used his acceptance speech to draw attention to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He condemned the “occupation” and the dehumanization fueling violence on both sides, stating that he refuted his “Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation” that has caused suffering for many innocent people. Glazer highlighted the victims of both the October 7 attacks in Israel and the ongoing Gaza conflict, urging resistance against dehumanization. His speech sparked both applause and controversy, reflecting the film’s broader message about humanity’s capacity for violence and the importance of confronting present injustices.
Jonathan Glazer took time in his acceptance speech for Best International Feature on behalf of The Zone of Interest to call out the historical parallels between the events of the Holocaust drama and the ongoing humanitarian crisis of the Israeli-Palestine conflict. “All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present,” Glazer said. “Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst.”
Robert Downey Jr. wins Best Supporting Actor, thanks his lawyer
Robert Downey Jr. won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the 2024 Academy Awards for his role as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer, marking his first Oscar win after three decades in the industry. In his acceptance speech, Downey Jr. humorously credited his wife Susan, jokingly calling her his “veterinarian” for rescuing him like a snarling rescue pet, and expressed gratitude to the film’s director Christopher Nolan, his co-stars, and his longtime entertainment lawyer who had supported him through ups and downs. He acknowledged that he needed this role more than it needed him, highlighting the meaningfulness of the work and the personal growth it brought him.
In a career first, Robert Downey Jr. won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. “I’d like to thank my terrible childhood, and the Academy, in that order,” Downey said. “I’d like to thank my veterinarian – I meant, wife, Susan Downey. She found me a snarling rescue pet, and loved me back to life.”
Messi applauding for Robert Downey Jr. for his win
At the 2024 Oscars, Messi, the border collie star of the Best Picture nominee Anatomy of a Fall, stole the spotlight with a charming moment when he appeared to applaud Robert Downey Jr. after he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer. Although the applause was pre-recorded and cleverly staged with fake paws, the heartwarming clip captured the audience’s and viewers’ hearts, making Messi an instant viral sensation and a beloved figure of the night. The moment was also met with delight from fellow nominees like Ryan Gosling, who was seen smiling at Messi’s appearance, highlighting the dog’s unexpected but memorable presence at the ceremony.
D’aww, who’s a good boy? Messi’s a good boy!
Twins stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito reunite on stage, air shared animosity for the Caped Crusader
At the 2024 Oscars, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito reunited on stage 36 years after their iconic film Twins, but this time as former Batman villains rather than brothers. Presenting the award for Best Visual Effects, the duo humorously aired their shared animosity toward Batman, with Schwarzenegger recalling how the Caped Crusader defeated his Mr. Freeze character by exploiting his weakness to heat, while DeVito, who played the Penguin, joined in the playful roast. Their witty banter included a mock confrontation with Michael Keaton, who portrayed Batman, making for one of the night’s most memorable and entertaining moments.
“Batman, that son of a bitch.”
Godzilla Minus One wins the award for Best Visual Effects
At the 96th Academy Awards, Godzilla Minus One made history by winning the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, marking the first time a Godzilla film and a Japanese production have received this honor. The award was accepted by director and visual effects supervisor Takashi Yamazaki, along with Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi, and Tatsuji Nojima. Their work stood out against competitors with significantly larger budgets, delivering a documentary-like realism that elevated the film’s post-war setting and kaiju spectacle. This win not only celebrates the film’s technical achievements but also honors the 70th anniversary of the Godzilla franchise, solidifying its legacy in cinematic history.
With plastic Godzilla toys in hand, the visual effects team for Godzilla Minus One and Director Takashi Yamazaki took to the Oscars stage to accept this year’s award for Best Visual Effects. In a moving speech, Yamazaki compared his team to the underdog efforts of Rocky Balboa – beating the odds to prove that no matter what, everyone has a chance.
20 Days in Mariupol director accepts Oscar, saying he wished he never had to make the film in the first place
At the 2024 Oscars, Mstyslav Chernov, director of the Ukrainian documentary “20 Days in Mariupol,” accepted the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature with a poignant message. Chernov expressed that he wished he never had to make the film, hoping instead for Russia never to have attacked Ukraine or occupied its cities. He dedicated the award to the people of Mariupol and those who lost their lives, emphasizing the importance of cinema in preserving memory and history. Chernov called on the world to ensure the truth prevails and to remember the victims, highlighting the film’s role in documenting the harsh realities of war and occupation.
20 Days in Mariupol director Mstyslav Chernov took to the stage to accept the award for this year’s best Documentary Feature. In his acceptance speech, Chernov called attention to the auspiciousness of the Oscar win – the first in Ukrainian history – and expressed his sincerest wish that the history of the Russian-Ukrainian war is told and remembered truthfully.
“I’ll be the first director on this stage who will say, ’I wish I never made this film’,” Chernov said. “I wish I could exchange this for Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities. I cannot change the history, I cannot change the past. But all together – among you, some of the most talented people in the world – we can make sure the record is set straight, and the truth will prevail. And that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten. Cinema forms memories, and memories form history.”
John Mulaney recaps Field of Dreams
At the 2024 Oscars, John Mulaney delivered a hilarious and rapid-fire recap of the 1989 film Field of Dreams while presenting the award for Best Sound. He humorously summarized the plot, highlighting iconic moments like Kevin Costner mowing down corn to create a baseball field where ghosts play, and the memorable line, “If you build it, he will come.” Mulaney also joked about the film’s quirky details, such as a ghost baseball player performing the Heimlich maneuver and then being unable to return to the game. His comedic take ended with a playful endorsement that Field of Dreams deserved to win Best Picture, much to the delight of the audience.
After extolling some great lines of cinema (including “He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders right before she died”), John Mulaney went into a rapid-fire SparkNotes rundown of the plot of Field of Dreams, using the phrase “ghost baseball” several times more than any Oscar ceremony on record.
Ryan Gosling performs “I’m Just Ken,” Slash plays guitar!
At the 2024 Oscars, Ryan Gosling delivered a memorable and theatrical performance of “I’m Just Ken” from the Barbie movie, dressed in a sparkling pink suit and serenading co-star Margot Robbie before joining a troupe of Ken dancers on stage. The highlight included a dramatic guitar solo by legendary guitarist Slash, adding rock star energy to the show. Gosling’s performance was noted for its charm and humor, even referencing Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” routine, and was widely praised as one of the standout moments of the ceremony.
In a sparkly pink suit, Ryan Gosling started to croon Ken’s big anthem from the audience, before he took the the stage with a group of fellow Kens. It was bright and pink, with big Barbie face props and some karate chops. Also, Slash from Guns N’ Roses!
Billie Eilish and Finneas make all young people look bad by winning second Oscar before turning 30
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas have set a new standard for young talent by winning their second Oscar before turning 30, making them the youngest two-time Academy Award winners in history. At just 22 and 26 years old respectively, their win for the song “What Was I Made For?” from the film Barbie follows their first Oscar for “No Time to Die” in 2021. Their remarkable achievement not only highlights their exceptional songwriting skills but also raises the bar for young artists everywhere, showing that age is no barrier to reaching the pinnacle of success in the entertainment industry.
Billie Eilish and Finneas accepted the Oscar for Best Original Song for “What Was I Made For?” In an emotional speech, Eilish thanked director Margot Robbie and everyone who was deeply affected by Barbie and the song. With this win, Billie Eilish became the first woman to win the “Triple Crown” (Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe) for a work of film music twice.
Christopher Nolan wins Best Director, gets played off by the theme for Pirates of the Caribbean
Christopher Nolan won his first Oscar for Best Director at the 2024 Oscars for his film Oppenheimer, marking a significant milestone after multiple previous nominations. In his acceptance speech, Nolan expressed gratitude to his cast, crew, and wife Emma Thomas, and reflected on the century-long journey of cinema, acknowledging the honor of being considered a meaningful part of it. However, just as Nolan finished his speech, the ceremony unexpectedly played the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean, signaling a prompt end to his moment on stage, which caught some by surprise.
Christopher Nolan took home the award for Best Director on behalf of Oppenheimer. In his acceptance speech, Nolan thanked his wife and producer Emma Thomas, and commented on how honored he felt to be considered a part of cinema’s century-long legacy. “We don’t know where this incredible journey is going from here, but to know that you think I’m a meaningful part of it means the world to me.” Then, they played him off to Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean theme. Weird!
Emma Stone wins Best Actress with a broken dress
At the 2024 Oscars, Emma Stone won the Best Actress award for her role in “Poor Things,” but not without a memorable moment: her custom mint Louis Vuitton gown suffered a wardrobe malfunction with a broken zipper or seam on the back. Stone humorously acknowledged the mishap during her acceptance speech, attributing the damage to her enthusiastic reaction to Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” performance earlier in the night. Despite the dress issue, which required her to be sewn back into the gown backstage, Stone delivered a heartfelt speech celebrating her team and the collaborative spirit of filmmaking, making the moment both touching and unforgettable.
For her role as Bella Baxter in Poor Things, Emma Stone won the award for Best Actress, tearfully accepting the award (and pointing out to the presenters that her dress broke, probably some time during the “I’m Just Ken” performance). Stone looked incredibly surprised to accept the award, especially when up against Lily Gladstone and Sandra Hüller.
“It’s not about me,” Stone said, referring to what Poor Things director Yorgos Lanthimos advised her about a possible acceptance speech. “It’s about a team that came together to make something greater than the sum of its parts. That is the best part of making movies.”
Oppenheimer wins Best Picture, Al Pacino says. something?
At the 2024 Oscars, “Oppenheimer” won Best Picture, sweeping seven awards including Best Director for Christopher Nolan and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. The moment was marked by an unusual announcement from Al Pacino, who presented the award. Instead of following the traditional format of reading all the nominees first, Pacino abruptly declared, “My eyes see Oppenheimer,” which caused some confusion among the audience. He later explained that this approach was a decision made by the show’s producers to speed up the ceremony, as the nominees had already been highlighted throughout the event. Pacino expressed empathy for those who felt slighted by the omission of the nominee names, emphasizing his respect for filmmakers and actors.
Al Pacino presented the award for Best Picture, announcing Oppenheimer’s win in a trail of syllables that everyone in the audience was able to make out just well enough for the winners to take the stage. Producer Emma Thomas Nolan gave the acceptance speech, thanking the Academy, her children, and her husband Christopher Nolan. “The reason this movie is the movie it was, was Chris Nolan. He’s singular, he’s brilliant. and I’m so grateful for you.”
What was the most shocking moment at the 2024 Oscars
The most shocking moment at the 2024 Oscars was when John Cena, the former wrestler turned actor, presented an award almost completely nude, crab-walking across the stage with only a large envelope strategically covering him. This unexpected and bold stunt stunned the audience and became the night’s wildest highlight.
Why was Emma Stone’s dress rupture considered the biggest shock
Emma Stone’s dress rupture at the 2024 Oscars was considered the biggest shock because it happened live during her acceptance speech for Best Actress, revealing the broken back of her Louis Vuitton gown. She humorously blamed the malfunction on her enthusiastic cheering and movement during Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken,” which caused the zipper to rip open. The unexpected wardrobe malfunction, combined with the high-profile moment of her win, made it a memorable and surprising incident of the night.
