The 2024 Oscars took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the best movies of the past year. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was the biggest winner of the night, earning seven wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score.
In the acting branch, there weren’t many surprises, with all the favorites taking their statuettes: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) for Best Supporting Actress, Robert Downey Jr. in Best Supporting Actor, and Cillian Murphy as Best Actor, both forOppenheimer.
However, the real question was who was going to win Best Actress: Lily Gladstone or Emma Stone? At the end, it was Stone, for Poor Things, who looked shocked on the stage. However, the night was filled with other surprises, here are the best reactions.
Biggest surprises at the 2024 Oscars
Animated Feature – The Boy and The Heron
While the competition was tough, “The Boy and The Heron” defeated favorite “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Sadly, Hayao Miyazaki and the team couldn’t make it to the ceremony, so presenters Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy accepted the award on their behalf.
Best Original Screenplay – Anatomy of a Fall
This one was one of the most even races of the night. Celine Song’s Past Lives and David Hemingson’s The Holdovers were favorites in the category, but at the end, it was Justine Triet and Arthur Harari’s Anatomy of a Fall who took the trophy.
Best Adapted Screenplay – American Fiction
Cord Jefferson, who also directed the film, won his first Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay with American Fiction, beating the absolute favorite Oppenheimer and, the other worthy contender, Poor Things. So, it was one of the biggest surprises of the night, but one that was welcomed.
Production Design – Poor Things
While Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer (Barbie) had taken almost every critics’ award for Production Design during the season, the Oscar went to Shona Heath and James Prince for Poor Things. The film also took home Costume Design and Best Hair and Makeup.
Best Visual Effects – Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla Minus One took the Oscar, beating titles such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. It’s the first Oscar win for a Godzilla movie and the first time one has been nominated. And, of course, the Internet celebrated it.
Best Actress – Emma Stone
Gladstone and Stone were the two frontrunners during the whole season. However, at the end, it was Stone who won the Oscar, after nabbing the Golden Globes for Best Actress in Comedy and Musical, as well as the BAFTA.
