The 97th Academy Awards were full of show-stopping performances and memorable Oscar wins.
“Anora” was the biggest winner of the night with five Academy Awards including best picture.
Oscars viewership has declined over the past decade — around 43.7 million people watched the Academy Awards in 2014 compared to 19.5 million in 2024 — but this year, audiences were promised a new host and a new way to watch: The ceremony streamed live on Hulu for the first time.
However, once the show got underway on Sunday, Hulu’s streaming service glitched for users several times throughout the night. When some users were unable to log in to watch the show, Hulu Support wrote on X that it had “identified the issue and users affected should be able to log back in again soon.”
Others experienced an abrupt end of the broadcast just before the award for best actress was announced, leaving some viewers unable to watch the final two awards of the night. A representative for Hulu did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider.
Here’s a recap of the biggest moments.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Wicked’ performance
To open the show at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performed songs from “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz,” and “Wicked.”
Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue
During his first stint hosting the Oscars, O’Brien addressed the controversy involving Karla Sofía Gascón’s tweets and had a humorous exchange with Adam Sandler.
O’Brien’s brief musical number
At the end of his monologue, O’Brien burst out into a musical number in which he pledged not to waste the viewers’ time.
Kieran Culkin’s best supporting actor win
Culkin took home the first Oscar of the night for best supporting actor in “A Real Pain.”
In his speech, he shared a story about his wife, Jazz Charton, making a deal to have four children with him — if he won an Oscar.
“I just have to say to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith — no pressure,” he said.
“I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again. And let’s get cracking on those kids. What do you say? I love you.”
‘Flow’ named best animated feature film
“Flow” was the first Latvian film to be nominated for an Oscar.
A historic best costume design win for ‘Wicked’
“Wicked” costume designer Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win an Oscar for best costume design.
‘Anora” won best screenplay and best editing
While accepting the Oscar for best screenplay, director Sean Baker — whose film tells the story of a young sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch — thanked “the sex worker community” in his speech.
‘Conclave’ won best adapted screenplay
Peter Straughan adapted the Oscar-winning screenplay from a novel by Robert Harris.
Best hair and makeup won by ‘The Substance’
Pierre-Olivier Persin thanked “The Substance” star Demi Moore for her “patience in the makeup chair.”
A James Bond tribute
Margaret Qualley danced as Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye sang in a James Bond-themed performance.
Zoe Saldaña’s best supporting actress win
Saldaña became emotional while accepting her award for her role in “Emilia Pérez.”
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hard-working hands,” Saldaña said. “And I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award.”
Ben Stiller’s humorous introduction
Stiller introduced the award for best production design with a physical comedy act demonstrating the importance of precision in production design. He then presented the award, which went to “Wicked.”
‘Emilia Pérez’ won best original song
Camille sang part of her speech as she accepted the Oscar.
Best documentary won by ‘No Other Land’
Despite not having an official US distributor, the collaboration between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist won best documentary feature.
Los Angeles firefighter tribute
Greater Los Angeles firefighters received a standing ovation and even delivered some of O’Brien’s jokes.
In memoriam segment
The segment, which remembered Academy members who died in the last year, paid tribute to Maggie Smith, Kris Kristofferson, Jeff Baena, Donald Sutherland, Shelley Duvall, David Lynch, James Earl Jones, and Gene Hackman, among others.
Best original score won by ‘The Brutalist’
The orchestra at the Oscars played the scores as the nominees were announced. Composer Daniel Blumberg accepted the award for “The Brutalist.”
Adrien Brody won best actor
Brody’s performance in “The Brutalist” earned him the Oscar for best actor in a leading role, 22 years after he won the award for “The Pianist.”
In his speech on Sunday, he said the lesson of “The Brutalist” was to “not let hate go unchecked.”
Baker won again for directing
While accepting the Oscar for best director for “Anora”, Baker urged audiences to support independently owned theaters.
Mikey Madison won best actress
The “Anora” star said the win felt “surreal” and that she wanted to “recognize and honor the sex worker community.”
‘Anora’ won best picture
“Anora” won a total of five Oscars out of its six nominations.
Its director, Sean Baker, made history by winning four awards — best original screenplay, best editing, best director, and best picture — for the same movie in one night.
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