90th Academy Awards: The Shape of Water Dominates the Night
The 90th Academy Awards, held on March 4, 2018, celebrated the pinnacle of cinematic achievement. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the ceremony was a star-studded event that saw The Shape of Water emerge as the night's biggest winner, sweeping several major categories and cementing its place in film history.
Broadcast on ABC, the ceremony lasted 3 hours and 53 minutes, drawing a massive television audience of 26.5 million viewers in the United States. From breathtaking performances to technical mastery, the evening highlighted the diverse talent within the global film industry.
Key Facts
- Best Picture Winner: The Shape of Water
- Most Nominations: The Shape of Water (13)
- Most Awards Won: The Shape of Water (4)
- Host: Jimmy Kimmel
- Total US Viewership: 26.5 million
Major Award Winners
The 90th Oscars recognized excellence across various disciplines, from acting to technical production. Guillermo del Toro took home both Best Picture and Best Director for his visionary work on The Shape of Water.
Acting Excellence
The acting categories featured intense performances that captivated audiences and critics alike. Gary Oldman secured Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, while Frances McDormand won Best Actress for her role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
In the supporting categories, Sam Rockwell won Best Supporting Actor for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Allison Janney earned Best Supporting Actress for her performance in I, Tonya.
Writing and Directing
The power of storytelling was highlighted through several key wins. Jordan Peele won Best Original Screenplay for the groundbreaking film Get Out, while James Ivory took home Best Adapted Screenplay for Call Me by Your Name.
Technical and Artistic Achievements
Beyond the acting, the Academy honored the technical crafts that bring stories to life. Roger Deakins was recognized for his stunning work in Blade Runner 2049, winning Best Cinematography (the art of photography and lighting in filmmaking).
Other notable technical winners included Alexandre Desplat for Best Original Score and Richard King for Best Sound Editing. The ceremony also celebrated international cinema, with Sebastián Lelio winning Best Foreign Language Film for the Chilean production A Fantastic Woman.
Animation also saw significant recognition, with Glen Keane co-winning the award for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball.
Summary of Major Winners
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale | The Shape of Water |
| Best Director | Guillermo del Toro | The Shape of Water |
| Best Actor | Gary Oldman | Darkest Hour |
| Best Actress | Frances McDormand | Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri |
| Best Original Screenplay | Jordan Peele | Get Out |
| Best Animated Feature | Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson | Coco |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which film won the most awards at the 90th Academy Awards?
The Shape of Water was the most successful film of the night, winning a total of 4 awards.
Who hosted the 2018 Oscars?
The ceremony was hosted by comedian and presenter Jimmy Kimmel.
How many nominations did The Shape of Water receive?
The Shape of Water received a total of 13 nominations.
Which film won Best Foreign Language Film?
The Chilean film A Fantastic Woman, directed by Sebastián Lelio, won the award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Who won Best Actor for playing Winston Churchill?
Gary Oldman won the Best Actor award for his performance as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour.