The first time a science fiction film won Best Picture

Entertainment · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For decades, the Academy's highest honor was considered the exclusive domain of prestige dramas. That changed in 2023 when a chaotic, multi-dimensional odyssey shattered the status quo, becoming the first sci-fi film to take home the trophy and making history across multiple categories.

The 95th Academy Awards, held on March 12, 2023, marked a significant shift in cinematic recognition. *Everything Everywhere All at Once* dominated the evening, securing seven awards including Best Picture. Its victory was historic as it became the first science fiction film to ever win the top prize. Furthermore, it joined *Network* (1976) and *A Streetcar Named Desire* (1951) as the third motion picture to secure three acting trophies. The movie's triumph was enhanced because Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the directors, were the third duo to receive awards for a single production. The ceremony also served as a milestone for diversity and longevity. Michelle Yeoh was the initial Asian female to earn Best Actress, and the first woman who self-identifies as Asian to receive a nomination in that field. An Oscar was awarded to Ke Huy Quan, marking the first time a Vietnamese individual won the prize. In terms of career endurance, the night saw Judd Hirsch set a record for the longest gap between nominations, spanning 42 years between his 1980 nomination for *Ordinary People* and his 2022 nomination for *The Fabelmans*. Meanwhile, 90-year-old John Williams became the oldest person ever nominated competitively in the Oscars' history. Beyond the trophies, the production faced unique logistical hurdles. Following a high-profile incident at the previous year's ceremony, the Academy hired a dedicated "crisis team" to manage potential mishaps. The visual identity of the night also shifted; for the first time since 1960, the ceremony moved away from a red carpet, opting for a champagne-colored one designed to evoke a "golden hour" sunset. Despite some critical debate over the broadcast's "ordinariness," the telecast successfully drew 18.75 million viewers in the United States, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.

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