Last night’s Oscars ceremony was a crowd-pleaser, with the internet going wild for Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken,” John Cena’s wardrobe malfunction, and Messi the dog appearing in the audience.
Here are the best viral social media moments from the 2024 Oscars:
Jimmy Kimmel Takes Critique From Donald Trump
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the ceremony this year, and while film buffs didn’t appreciate him criticizing the length of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon or mocking the Best Animated Feature category, he was generally well-received.
However, one particularly outspoken critic really didn’t care for Kimmel — in a move that felt like a throwback to the most heated years of the culture war, Kimmel took the time to read a Truth Social post from former President Donald Trump, which was just as catty as one would expect, describing Kimmel as “trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be.”
John Cena Bears All
John Cena had an unique approach to Best Costume Design, appearing on stage seemingly in the nude to present the award. Cena was making a tribute to an incident during the 1974 Oscars, which saw a naked man run on stage to interrupt the Best Picture announcement.
Cena’s bold move drew praise online, with many making light of the stunt.
In reactionary, “manosphere” circles, Cena’s joke didn’t go down well, and was even described as a “humiliation ritual” by commentators like Andrew Tate.
For viewers who have not been poisoned by the culture war, the bizarre response only made Cena’s stunt funnier.
‘Barbie’ Dominated The Discourse
Out of eight nominations, Barbie won just one award, for Best Original Song for Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?,” to the disappointment of Barbie fans.
However, another song proved the highlight of the ceremony, as Ryan Gosling performed “I’m Just Ken,” much to the delight of the internet.
Commentators pointed out that Gosling always gives it his all, no matter the role; one even said his performance deserved an Oscar.
Hayao Miyazaki Didn’t Show Up, Again
This year’s Best Animated Feature category was stacked with strong films this year, and Hayao Miyazaki’s dreamlike The Boy and the Heron was crowned the winner.
This marks the second time Miyazaki has won the award, and the second time the legendary director didn’t bother to show up.
Miyazaki’s indifference to the ceremony was heralded online.
Messi The Dog Steals The Show
Messi the dog, who appears in Anatomy of a Fall, gained the enthusiastic support of the public, after false reports circulated over the weekend that the canine was not allowed to attend the ceremony.
Commentators framed Messi as triumphantly rising against the stuffy academy, and a GIF of the dog “clapping” instantly went viral.
The narrative that Messi was unwanted might not have been true, but it didn’t stop commentators from having fun.
The ‘Madame Web’ Meme Made It To The Oscars
The Madame Web “researching spiders” meme, an infamously clunky line from the movie trailer, delivered with Dakota Johnson’s bored monotone, made it all the way to the Oscars — who would’ve thought the joke would prove so durable?
John Mulaney jokingly referenced the meme as though it were one of the most iconic lines in cinema history:
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Snubbed
Despite his great contributions to the art of cinema, Martin Scorsese is rarely rewarded by the academy, and Killers of the Flower Moon didn’t win a single Oscar, much to the dismay of film buffs.
The most egregious snub was Lily Gladstone, who was widely expected to win Best Actress for her transcendent performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, but Emma Stone was announced as the winner for her performance in Poor Things.
The snub sent shockwaves across social media, and many pointed to Stone’s reaction, with the actress appearing as surprised as everyone else.
This is Stone’s second Best Actress Oscar (she previously won for La La Land), and although many were surprised that Gladstone didn’t win, it was generally agreed that Stone delivered a great performance.
Gladstone might not have taken home the award, but commentators noted that her performance speaks for itself.
‘Oppenheimer’ Explodes In Triumph
Oppenheimer might have been defeated by Barbie during the “Barbenheimer” box office war, but the film triumphed at this year’s Oscars — with star Cillian Murphy taking home the Best Actor award and the film winning Best Picture.
Many found director Christopher Nolan’s speech to be genuinely moving and insightful, as Nolan noted that film, as a medium, is still in its infancy.
Finally, Al Pacino’s understated announcement of the Best Picture winner was well-received by the internet, as Pacino seemed more carefree then anyone in the room.
While many were hoping that Flower Moon would take Best Picture, most agreed that Oppenheimer also deserved the recognition — there have certainly been less deserving winners in past ceremonies.
Generally, 2024 Oscars was a fun night, well-received by film lovers; most agreed that the organizers had gotten the formula right.
Snubs aside, the ceremony was an earnest celebration of the magic of the movies, and those who make them.