artistic soulmate. for him to trust me in this work and to grow alongside him has been so special. thank you, brady. i love you. [ applause ] i want to thank my collaborators, my co-producer peter walsh, and the artists who played on the score. the sounds you hear on "the brutalist" are made by a group of hard-working radical musicians who've been making uncompromising music for many years. i'm accepting this award on behalf of them too. thanks to my family and stacy and my manager mark, keith, mona and ada and my friends at cafe cafe -- [ cheers and applause ]

>> announcer: please welcome two-time oscar nominee oprah winfrey and oscar winner whoopi goldberg. [ cheers and applause ] >> wow. >> hello. >> thank you. thank you. [ cheers and applause ] >> when one hears the name quincy jones, one's first thought is "musical genius." and for good reason. 28 grammy awards, arranger and conductor for legends like frank sinatra, ella fitzgerald and ray charles and the driving force behind --

♪ we are the world ♪ but the man, our beloved q, had an equally powerful impact on the world of film as a composer and producer. >> when we talk about black excellence, we're talking about quincy. okay? yeah. you can give it up. you can give it up. [ applause ] in 1967 quincy jones was the first black composer nominated in the original song category for "the eyes of love" in the film "banning." 1967 was the first time. just keep that in mind. and quincy was also nominated that year for original music score for "in cold blood." he received seven oscar nominations for "the wiz," "in cold blood," "for love of ivy," and "the color purple," which me and oprah were part of.

[ applause ] >> paying tribute -- >> that's right. >> paying tribute to him for all he has meant to our movie community is why we all honor q's memory tonight. quincy was love lived out loud in human form, and he poured that love into others and into his work. my life changed forever and for the better after meeting him. he actually discovered me for "the color purple," which was my first film. >> yeah. yeah. [ applause ] me too. [ laughter ] so tonight, we honor the true american legend, whose music and movies continue to inspire us all. >> and now with a song from "the wiz," one that carries the same joy he brought to the world every day, please welcome to the stage oscar nominee --

queen latifah! [ cheers and applause ] ♪ ♪ come on and ease on down ease on down the road come on, y'all, ease on down ease on down the road ♪ ♪ don't you carry nothing that might be a load come on, ease on down ease on down down the road ♪ ♪ pick your left foot up when your right foot's down ♪ ♪ come on legs keep movin' don't you lose no ground ♪ ♪ you just keep on keepin' on the road that you choose ♪ ♪ don't you give up walkin' 'cause you gave up shoes ♪ ♪ ease on down ease on down the road ease on down ease on down the road ♪ ♪ don't you carry nothing that might be a load come on, ease on down

ease on down down the road ♪ ♪ well, there may be times when you think you lost your mind ♪ ♪ and the steps you're takin' leave you three four steps behind ♪ ♪ but the road you're walking might be long sometimes ♪ ♪ you just keep on steppin' and you'll be just fine ♪ ♪ ease on down ease on down the road come on, ease on down ease on down the road ♪ ♪ don't you carry nothing that might be a load come on, ease on down ease on down down the ♪ ♪ ♪ now there may be times that you wish you wasn't born ♪ ♪ and you wake one morning just to find your courage's gone ♪ ♪ but just know that feeling only lasts a little while ♪ ♪ you just stick with us and we'll show you how to smile, yeah ♪ ♪ get 'em up, goin' down ease on down get 'em up coming down down

down ♪ ♪ get 'em up, get 'em up ease on down get 'em up, get 'em up ease on down the road ♪ ♪ get 'em up, goin' down ease on down ease on down ♪ ♪ ease on down ♪ ♪ ariana ♪ ♪ everybody in the building ♪ ♪ ease on down ♪ ♪ [ cheers and applause ] ♪ come on ♪ >> announcer: still to come, the awards for best director and best actor. only at the oscars, here on abc. ♪ ease on down the

can we stay just a little bit longer?

don't worry, we'll be back! i can't believe they're leaving. (♪) like who would ever wanna leave this paradise! oooh! do i miss my other half? uhh, of course i do! but do i regret my decision to stay in paradise?! thank you, charles. absolutely not. a paradise you'll want to lose yourself in. book your escape to celebration key. carnival's exclusive paradise. ♪ ("i see you looking" by allister x + love lola love) ♪ ♪ looking at me ♪ ♪ i see you looking ♪ ♪ looking at, looking at me ♪ ♪ (silence) ♪ let's start paying attention to our breasts when it matters most. early detection for breast cancer should take center stage. so, no matter your age, understand your risk. take the first step. go to yourattentionplease.com ♪

come on. what are you doing? trying to watch the game, but my screen's busted. you should go to t-mobile. you can trade in a broken phone, and they'll give you a brand new iphone 16 pro on them. where did you get gum? it was under my seat. aaaagh! when's this thing over? at t-mobile, new and existing customers get iphone 16 pro with apple intelligence on us when you trade in your busted old phone. plus, families can switch and save 20% vs the other big guy's best plans plus streaming. ♪ aaahhhh! ♪ it's over.

>> announcer: the oscars on abc, brought to you by -- t-mobile. america's largest 5g network. ♪ each character, they're all human. i wanted to watch these characters and understand all their thoughts, behind the eyes, express it silently, portray an inner turmoil. doubt can be hindering. doubt is problematic. it can be an incredible source for strength. >> if there was only certainty, there would be no mystery. and therefore, no need for faith. [ applause ]

>> all right. if you are still enjoying the show, you have something called stockholm syndrome. [ laughter ] he has my exact same genetic makeup, yet somehow he turned out handsome. please welcome oscar winner, cillian murphy. ♪ >> preparing for a leading role involves becoming a detective of sorts. you gather as many clues, details and nuggets as you possibly can about your character. then you use as little or as much as necessary. along the way, there are so many difficult and instinctual choices about what to keep and what to discard.

and that's just one tiny part of what it takes to bring a character to life. and i think i speak for all of us who marveled at the performances of these five nominees for best actor, at every turn they made the right choice. adrien brody, "the brutalist." >> does not want us here. he does not want us here! we are nothing. >> timothee chalamet, "a complete unknown." >> it's required. it's only 12 weeks. >> god made the world in six days. 12 weeks is a lot longer. what am i supposed to do with the extra 65 days. >> are you god? >> how many times do i have to say this? yes. >> colman domingo, "sing sing."

>> just waiting. i'm afraid to see you, mom. i'm afraid to see you. >> ralph fiennes, "conclave." >> what has he offered you, secretary of state? five times i cast my vote for you, aldo. but i was wrong. you lack the courage required to be pope. >> sebastian stan, "the apprentice." >> my three rules of winning. rule one, the world is a mess. the world is a mess, tony. you have to fight back. you have to have a tough skin. attack, attack, attack. if somebody comes after you with a knife, you shoot them back with a bazooka.

>> and the oscar goes to -- adrien brody. >> this is the second oscar win and second nomination for adrie fl brody. he took home his first oscar in this category for his role in "the pianist." [ applause ]

>> they're already counting me down. okay. thank you, god. thank you for this blessed life. if i may just humbly begin by giving thanks for the tremendous outpouring of love that i felt from this world and every individual that has treated me with respect and appreciation. i feel so fortunate you know, acting is a very fragile profession. it looks very glamorous. and in certain moments, it is. but the one thing that i have gained having the privilege to come back here is to have some

perspective. no matter where you are in your career, no matter what you have accomplished, it can all go away. and i think what makes this night most special is the awareness of that and the gratitude that i have to still do the work that i love. winning an award like this, it signifies a destination something my character references in the film. but to me it also -- beyon pinnacle of a career, it is a chance to begin ag the opportunity to hopefully be fortunate enough for the next 20

years of my life, that i can prove that i am worthy of such meaningful and important and relevant roles. i share this with my fell ow nominees who are just wonderful human beings who exude grace goodness and brilliance with their work. there are so many people to thank. i will try and be as brief as possible. i thank, of course, my team, andrew solis and my many friends at caa and lindsey gallen and heather and 824 and focus and universal for believing in us. and brady and mona, for what you have done for independent film and for your beautiful spirit

and for giving me space to exist in this triumph of a work. my fellow cast, guy and felicity, you are just brilliant and lovely. i share this with you. i share this with my amazing partner, georgina who has reinvigorated my sense of value and my values and our beautiful children, dash and india. i know it's been a roller coaster. thank you for accepting me into your life. pops, he is coming home a winner. who else? and judy becker, the reel who deserves to be up here as well. i'm wrapping up. please, please, i'm wrapping up.

i will wrap up. please turn the music off. i have done this before. thank you. [ laughter ] it's not my first rodeo. i will be brief. i promise. i'm oddly -- i have to thank my mom and dad who are here as well. [ applause ] they have given me -- they have created a strong foundation of respect and of kindness and a wonderful spirit. they have given me -- they have given me the strength to pursue this dream. i'm here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of

anti-semitism and racism and believe that -- i pray for a healthier and happier and more inclusive world. i believe if the past can teach us anything, it's a reminder to not let hate go unchecked. [ applause ] i will get out of here. i love you. i appreciate you all. let's fight for what's right. keep smiling, keep loving one another. let's rebuild together. thank you. [ applause ]

>> i don't have a joke here, because this is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time. please welcome two-time oscar winner, quentin tarantino. ♪ >> hello, everybody. great directors don't just call the shots, they make them count. these five filmmakers know exactly what they want, how to get it, and who to bring along for the ride. let's take a look at this year's nominees. sean baker, "anora." brady corbet, "the brutalist." james mangold, "a complete unknown." jacques audiard, "emilia perez." coralie fargeat, "the

substance." and the oscar goes to -- sean baker, "anora." [ applause ] >> this is the third oscar win for sean baker. [ applause ] >> wow. okay. quentin, if you didn't cast mikey madison, there would be no "anora." thank you so much and for all your incredible work. i will take this time to read something i'm passionate about.

first off, thank you to the academy. this means so much. thank you to my fellow nominees. it's an honor to be in this category with you. i will put this down. we're all here tonight and watching this broadcast because we love movies. where did we fall in love with the movies? at the theater. [ cheers and applause ] watching a film in a theater with an audience is an experience. we can laugh together, cry together, sit in silence together and in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever, it's a communal experience you don't get at home. right now, the theater going experience is under threat. movie theaters, especially independently owned theaters, are struggling. it's up to us to support them. during the pandemic, we lost nearly 1,000 screens in the u.s. we continue to lose them regularly. if we don't reverse this trend, we will lose a vital part of our culture. this is my battle cry.

filmmakers, make films for the big screen. i know i will. [ applause ] distributors, please focus first and foremost on the theatrical releases of your films. neon did that for me. i thank you from the bottom of my heart. parents, introduce your children to feature films in movie theaters. you will be molding the next generation of movie lovers and filmmakers. when we can, watch movies in the theater. keep the great tradition of the movie going experience alive and well. one last thing, my mother introduced me to cinema at 5 years old. today is also her birthday. happy birthday, mom. i love you. thank you for everything. this is for you. [ cheers and applause ] ♪

coming up, oscars for best actress and best picture here on abc.

just 49 keys inside a metal thing from 1958. or, it's the first step to... becoming a writer. and your book gets turned into a movie! by your favorite director, aka new best friend. or, becoming a chef! who makes... croissant nigiri!? or, starting a travel zine! that takes you from south america to scandinavia to - uh, hi? cash or card? oh, visa. whatever you want to be, one step can take you: everywhere you want to be. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ready for talent. quick spray and you're all set. okay, sam, you're up. [intense music] [glass shatters] cut! let's go again. [intense music] [glass shatters] let's go again, sam. [glass shatters] all right, let's check her makeup. she's good to go. okay, roll up. let's do a few in a row. [glass shatters] and again. [ applause ] please welcome two lf time oscar winner, emma stone. [ applause ]

>> these five women dazzled us with their brilliance, gutted us with their vulnerability, and held us utterly captive from the first frame to the last. this is the power of their work, the kind that lingers, haunts, heals, and reminds us why great performances aren't just seen but felt. here are the nominees for actress in a leading role. cynthia erivo, "wicked." >> cast a spell. read it. >> don't. >> you can't, can you? >> karla sofia gascon, "emilia perez." >> mikey madison, "anora."

>> jealousy is a disease. remember that. i'm going to go chill. no big deal. >> demi moore, "the substance." >> say it. tell them who your little beauty secret is. why don't you just show them right here. here is your little beauty secret. >> fernanda torres, "i'm still here." >> and the oscar goes to -- mikey madison. >> this is the first oscar win and nomination for mikey madison.

[ applause ] [ applause ] >> wow. this is very surreal. forgive me. i'm nervous. i'm going to read off of a paper. thank you so much to the academy. i grew up in los angeles, but hollywood always felt so far away for me. to be here standing in this room today is really incredible. thank you neon, film

universal, my mom and dad a my little sister and my twin brother. thank you for being my best friend. not that you have a choice. thank you sean baker, alex mark, thank you ann woodward, rachel, nick rich, dan, thank y bri brighton beach for lending us your beautiful backdrop and incredible community. thank you to kendy schneider, our incredible consultants. i want to again recognize and honor the sex worker community. i will continue to support and be an ally. all of the incredible people, the women that i have had the privilege of meeting from that community has been one of the

highlights of this incredible -- of this entire incredible experience. i also just want to recognize the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. i'm honored to be recognized alongside all of you. this is a dream come true. i'm probably going to wake up tomorrow. thank you so much, sean. i adore you. this is all because of you. thank you. [ applause ] ♪ >> to present tonight's final award, it's when harry reunited with sally. please welcome meg ryan and the best oscar host ever, billy crystal.

[ applause ] >> thank you. >> thank you. >> we're here to present the award for best picture. >> it's great to be back because you know i used to work here. >> you did? when was the first time? >> nine tuxedos ago. actually, it was 35 years ago this month. i know. it's weird because on my imdb page, i'm 47. >> that's a lot of numbers. let's cut to the chase. >> you're right. because when you have the chance to be an oscar winner for the rest of your life, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

>> here are the ten nominees for best picture. "anora." alex coco, samantha quan, and sean baker. "the brutalist." nick gordon, brian young, andrew morrison, d.j. gugenheim, and brady corbet. "a complete unknown." fred berger, james mangold, and alex heineman. "conclave." tessa ross, juliette howell, and michael a. jackman. "dune: part two." mary parent, cale boyter, tanya lapointe, and denis villeneuve. "emilia perez." pascal caucheteux, and jacques audiard. "i'm still here." maria carlota bruno and rodrigo teixeira. "nickel boys."