Oscars 2023 - live: Hollywood preps for Academy Awards as Michelle Yeoh, Austin Butler tipped for top prizes
Hollywood is gearing up for the Oscars with the 95th Academy Awards this Sunday 12 March at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Everything Everywhere All at Once has the most nominations and is considered the frontrunner for best picture having won a string of top prizes at the guild awards that precede the Oscars.
Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert are tipped for best director, and former child star Ke Huy Quan is expected to pick up best supporting actor. First-time nominee Michelle Yeoh could also become the first Asian best actress winner.
In a field of ten best picture nominees, Netflix’s German anti-war film All Quiet on the Western Front could sneak an upset having picked up the best film trophy at the BAFTAs.
Host Jimmy Kimmel has said that he will address last year’s “The Slap” incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock, noting it would be “ridiculous” not to. The academy will have its first-ever “crisis team” in place to react to any similar surprises.
The Independent will have all the latest from the [champagne-coloured] red carpet to the final award, including a performance from Rihanna, nominated for best original song for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
What you need to know
Oscars 2023 gift bag revealed
08:00 , Inga Parkel
Each year, Oscar attendees are not only pampered with an entire three-course meal during the ceremony but they’re also treated to some goodies to take home.
Ha, who are we kidding? “Some goodies” is a complete understatement.
Find out what exactly is in this year’s Oscar gift bags:
Oscars 2023 gift bag revealed
A facelift, a $25,000 home renovation and... 3 nights at a private lighthouse
Where to watch all the 2023 Oscar-nominated films
07:00 , Inga Parkel
Props to anyone trying to watch all of the 2023 Oscar-nominated films ahead of Sunday’s ceremony!
If you’re among the select few who can miraculously spare an entire day or two to speed run through the 10 Best Picture nominees before the awards show, then this list is for you.
Ready, set, watch!
Oscars 2023: How to watch the nominated movies in the UK
First-time Prime Video members can even watch ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ for free
Oscar nominations 2023 in full
06:00 , Inga Parkel
In case you’re in need of another refresher, here’s a list of all the 2023 Oscars nominees.
Oscar nominations 2023 in full: Every movie nominated at this Sunday’s ceremony
Every nominated movie in one place – from ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once‘ to ‘The Fabelmans’
17 films that should never have won Oscars
05:00 , Inga Parkel
Any belief that the Oscars award the right films, directors and performances has faded over the years.
While every ceremony has a smattering of correct decisions – trophies handed to the right people for the right films – more often than not, the pervading feeling is one of pessimism caused by a deluge of undeserving recipients.
The Oscars are a far cry from what they claim to be – a celebration of the previous year’s cinematic offerings. But this does not stop people from trawling the internet the following morning in the hope that maybe, just maybe, the winners list impresses rather than disappoints.
The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy has highlighted 17 films that really should not have been awarded Oscars.
17 films that should never have won Oscars
...and what should have won instead
The 19 most problematic films ever made, from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to Forrest Gump
04:00 , Inga Parkel
In an Oscars adjacent deep-dive, The Independent’s Louis Chilton selected some of the most controversial movies ever released.
And surprise, surprise, some of the titles include Oscar-nominated films!
Read more:
The 19 most problematic films ever made
From ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ to ‘Forrest Gump’
All the food and drink the 2023 Oscar nominees will dine on
03:00 , Inga Parkel
The official Oscars dinner is, as one would expect, a lavish affair. On Sunday night 12 March, Hollywood’s greatest stars will sit down around the table after the award winners have been announced and feast on all manner of culinary delights.
Read more:
All the food and drink the 2023 Oscar nominees will dine on
The extravagant dinner will be overseen by veteran Oscars chef Wolfgang Puck
James Cameron reflects on ‘hubristic’ Oscars mistake after Titanic win in 1998
02:00 , Inga Parkel
James Cameron reflected on his “hubristic” speech after winning Best Director at the 1998 Academy Awards.
Cameron’s speech was poorly received by Oscars viewers, with the Avatar director revealing that he knew he’d made a mistake after seeing Warren Beatty’s face backstage.
James Cameron reflects on ‘hubristic’ Oscars mistake after Titanic win in 1998
Director told onlookers he felt like ‘king of the world’
Goldie Hawn doesn’t think the Oscars are no longer ‘elegant'
01:00 , Inga Parkel
Hollywood icon Goldie Hawn thinks the Oscars have lost their touch.
Read more:
Goldie Hawn explains why she thinks the Oscars are no longer ‘elegant’: Too ‘politicised’
‘I’m not old-fashioned, but sometimes jokes are off-colour,’ Hawn said
Why is there a petition to remove Donnie Yen from presenting at this year’s Oscars?
00:00 , Inga Parkel
Thousands of people from Hong Kong have signed a petition to have actor Donnie Yen removed as an Oscar presenter due to his support for the Chinese government.
Read more:
Donnie Yen: Thousands sign petition to remove Oscars presenter over his support for the Chinese government
‘He’s helping to whitewash the Chinese regime,’ petition owner said
Sharon Stone recalls ‘awful’ first Oscars where ‘no one’ would dress her
Friday 10 March 2023 23:00 , Inga Parkel
When nobody wanted to dress her, Stone decided to take matters into her own hands.
Sharon Stone recalls ‘awful’ first Oscars where ‘no one’ would dress her
The ‘Basic Instinct’ star dressed herself for her first time at the awards ceremony
Why is the Oscars carpet not red this year?
Friday 10 March 2023 22:00 , Inga Parkel
While many things about the Academy Awards have changed throughout the years, one thing has remained constant over the past six decades: the red carpet.
However, this year, for the first time since 1961, this is changing. But why?
Read more:
In a first since 1961, the Oscars carpet will not be red
‘We chose this beautiful sienna, saffron color that evokes the sunset,’ creative consultant said
Who votes for the Oscars?
Friday 10 March 2023 21:00 , Inga Parkel
The Oscars has long been regarded as the highest film award ceremony. But, you may be wondering: who makes up this so-called Academy, the group in charge of voting for the Oscars?
And more importantly, what sets the Oscars apart from all of the other film awards (Golden Globes, SAG Awards, etc.)?
Find out here:
Quick ‘what’s what’ guide to help you make sense of all the awards shows
Top Gun: Maverick should win the Oscar for Best Picture
Friday 10 March 2023 20:00 , Inga Parkel
Inexplicably, one of the biggest films from last year is a bit of an underdog at this week’s Oscars despite a handful of nominations.
The Independent’s Adam White makes a case for why he thinks Tom Cruise’s blockbuster sequel should win the Oscar for Best Picture
Top Gun: Maverick – Why Tom Cruise’s blockbuster sequel should win the Oscar for Best Picture
Moment Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars
Friday 10 March 2023 19:30 , Inga Parkel
The 13 most confusing Oscar screw-ups of all time
Friday 10 March 2023 19:00 , Inga Parkel
Ahead of this year’s Oscars, The Independent’s Adam White has gone through more than 30 years of ceremonies to find 13 of the most frustrating Academy Award screw-ups in the acting categories.
The 13 most confusing Oscar screw-ups of all time
From awarding Rami Malek’s all-teeth performance as Freddie Mercury to Julianne Moore winning Best Actress for the wrong movie, the Oscars have always inspired confusion and frustration
What are the Oscars doing to prevent another slap fiasco?
Friday 10 March 2023 18:00 , Inga Parkel
This year, for the first time ever, the 2023 Oscars will welcome a team of crisis management professionals, the event that the awards show is rocked by another fiasco.
But exactly how can/will the team prevent something similar?
Read more:
Oscars adds crisis communications team to 2023 show following Will Smith slap
‘Because of last year, we’ve opened our minds to the many things that can happen at the Oscars,’ the Academy CEO said
The most iconic Oscars dresses of all time
Friday 10 March 2023 17:30 , Inga Parkel
Since its inauguration in 1929, the Oscars has been eagerly watched by devoted cinephiles but, over the years, it has also become one of the most anticipated events for fashion aficionados.
Among Hollywood’s brightest stars walking the red carpet in front of millions of viewers, the strongest candidates set themselves up to be sartorially scrutinised and battle it out for the evening’s most hotly contested accolade; that of the best dressed.
As award season nears its close, The Independent’s Sarah Young looks at all the gowns that have earned a special place in fashion history.
The most iconic Oscars dresses of all time
From Audrey Hepburn to Gwyneth Paltrow
Top Oscars records that could be broken this year
Friday 10 March 2023 17:00 , Inga Parkel
The Oscars have always been considered the grandest night in film but this year, in particular, could be extra special – with a number of chances for the awards body to make history.
Read more:
Six records that could be broken, from oldest victor to first MCU winner
This year’s award show has the chance of making history multiple times
Oscars 2023 predictions
Friday 10 March 2023 16:30 , Peony Hirwani
Will it be an Everything Everywhere All at Once sweep? Or could Tár prove to be the one to beat? Adam White has looked over the major categories to try and figure them out.
Who will win and who should win at Sunday’s Oscars?
Battle for Best Picture: Ignore the snobs – Avatar deserves to win the Oscar for Best Picture
Friday 10 March 2023 15:45 , Peony Hirwani
James Cameron’s hit sci-fi sequel has been all but written off in this year’s Oscar race. It’s a rank injustice, argues Louis Chilton – this earnest blockbuster is pure cinema.
Ignore the snobs – Avatar: The Way of Water deserves to win Best Picture
Oscars boss reacts to Chris Rock’s scathing Netflix special
Friday 10 March 2023 15:00 , Peony Hirwani
The Academy’s chief executive has reacted to Chris Rock’s scathing comments in his recent Netflix special, in which he addressed the moment he was slapped by Will Smith at the Oscars.
Asked about the timing of the special’s release ahead of this Sunday’s Oscars ceremony, and whether it would put the incident back into public consciousness, Kramer told US outlet Deadline: “I think what’s important for us is that we’re moving forward.
“At the Nominees Luncheon... Janet Yang very clearly owned that we, as an Academy, have to be better prepared and have to be much more nimble and clear in our response to things.
“I really want to focus on that.”
He added: “I think it’s great that Chris spoke his truth. I can’t speak to the timing of that, but we are ready to move forward.”
Read more:
Oscars boss reacts to Chris Rock’s scathing Netflix special
Slapgate wasn’t a one-off – the Oscars have always been mired in scandal
Friday 10 March 2023 14:15 , Peony Hirwani
With the Academy Awards happening on Sunday, Geoffrey Macnab looks back at Oscar history and says the awards have always been turbulent and continue to reflect the biases of those who greenlight the movies.
Slapgate wasn’t a one-off – the Oscars have always been mired in scandal
How is the academy going to handle the fallout from The Slap in 2022?
Friday 10 March 2023 13:30 , Peony Hirwani
The unfortunate headline-dominating moment from last year’s ceremony is back on people’s minds as the Oscars draws nearer.
How are organisers handling The Slap?
Annabel Nugent reports.
With Will Smith out, who will present the Oscar for Best Actress?
The 10 worst Oscar Best Picture winners of all time
Friday 10 March 2023 12:45 , Peony Hirwani
The Independent’s Geoffrey Macnab chooses the more ridiculous films to have ever won Hollywood’s most prestigious award.
The 10 worst Oscar Best Picture winners of all time
The 13 most confusing Oscar screw-ups of all time
Friday 10 March 2023 12:00 , Peony Hirwani
From awarding Rami Malek’s all-teeth performance as Freddie Mercury to Julianne Moore winning Best Actress for the wrong movie, the Oscars have always inspired confusion and frustration.
Ahead of this year’s Academy Awards, my colleague Adam White explores the most egregious mistakes in recent Oscar history.
Daniel Day-Lewis over Bradley Cooper?! – the 13 most confusing Oscar mistakes
Oscars 2023 predictions
Friday 10 March 2023 11:30 , Peony Hirwani
Will it be an Everything Everywhere All at Once sweep? Or could Tár prove to be the one to beat? Adam White has looked over the major categories to try and figure them out.
Who will win and who should win at Sunday’s Oscars?
10 worst Oscar acceptance speeches of all time
Friday 10 March 2023 11:15 , Peony Hirwani
Some are too saccharine, others too long – and the worst are when an actor only thinks of themselves.
My colleague Louis Chilton writes.
The 10 worst Oscar acceptance speeches of all time
How to watch the 2023 Academy Awards
Friday 10 March 2023 10:30 , Peony Hirwani
The 95th Academy Awards are on Sunday 12 March at 5pm PT (8pm ET), with the red carpet arrivals expected to begin from around 2pm PT.
As well as following along with us live, here’s how you can watch the entire show in the US and UK.
James Cameron recalls trousers falling down during Titanic Oscars speech
Friday 10 March 2023 09:45 , Peony Hirwani
James Cameron has recalled an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction he suffered at the Academy Awards in 1998.
“The strap on [then-wife] Linda [Hamilton’s] dress broke, so I’m trying to hold up the back where the strap broke,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
“And my tux came together at the very last second. The tailor was supposed to meet us at the Four Seasons before we went over to the Oscars. The guy never showed up, and my pants are three inches too big. So with one hand, I’m holding up my pants, and with the other, I’m holding up Linda’s dress. That was our entire fricking evening.”
Read more:
James Cameron recalls trousers falling down during Titanic Oscars speech
Jimmy Kimmel to return as host for 2023 Oscars
Friday 10 March 2023 09:00 , Peony Hirwani
Jimmy Kimmel will be returning to front the 95th Oscars in 2023, marking the talk show host’s third time presenting the ceremony.
Kimmel first hosted the awards in 2017, the year that La La Land was mistakenly announced as the Best Picture winner over Moonlight, the true winner. The second time he hosted was in 2018.
Ellie Harrison has the full story.
Jimmy Kimmel to return as host for 2023 Oscars
The 2023 Oscar nominations in full
Friday 10 March 2023 08:15 , Peony Hirwani
Ahead of the Oscars ceremony, which will take place on this weekend, nominations for all 23 categories were announced by Riz Ahmed and M3GAN star Alison Williams.
Check out the full list below.
The 2023 Oscar nominations in full
Why did Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the Oscars last year?
Friday 10 March 2023 07:30 , Peony Hirwani
During the 94th Academy Awards on 27 March 2022, Will Smith strode onto the stage and struck presenter Chris Rock in the face.
Tom Murray unpacks what went down.
Why did Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the Oscars last year?
Oscars organisers ‘decline Zelensky’s request to speak at 2023 ceremony’
Friday 10 March 2023 06:45 , Peony Hirwani
Organisers and executives at the Academy Awards have reportedly declined Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to speak at this year’s ceremony.
Since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine last February, President Zelensky has given high-profile addresses at awards ceremonies including the 2022 Grammy Awards and the Golden Globes in January.
However, reports today claim that the Ukrainian president was denied the opportunity to appear via telecast at Sunday’s Oscars.
Nicole Vassell reports.
Oscars bosses ‘decline Zelensky’s request to speak at 2023 ceremony’
The 10 most baffling Oscar victories
Friday 10 March 2023 06:00 , Peony Hirwani
Helen O’Hara unveils some of the greatest injustices at the Academy Awards
The 10 most baffling wins in Oscars history
Sacheen Littlefeather’s sister not happy about In Memoriam segment
Friday 10 March 2023 05:00 , Tom Murray
Sacheen Littlefeather’s sisters have said including her in its 2023 In Memoriam segment would perpetuate the Academy’s “biggest blunder”.
Littlefeather, who died in October 2022, was famously known for rejecting the Best Actor statuette intended for Marlon Brando on live TV at the 1973 Oscars.
Littlefeather’s biological sisters allege that her claims of Native American ancestry were “lies”.
Read more:
Sacheen Littlefeather’s sister condemns her inclusion in Oscar In Memoriam segment
Anonymous Oscars voter dishes on favourites
Friday 10 March 2023 03:55 , Tom Murray
This week, as we build up to the big night, one anonymous Academy voter spoke to press about their thoughts on the Best Picture category.
They found they were “absorbed from the beginning” watching Avatar, noting that was something that “didn’t happen” with most of the other movies.
Read more:
Anonymous Oscars voter shares thoughts on Best Picture nominees
James Cameron’s sinking trousers
Friday 10 March 2023 02:45 , Tom Murray
James Cameron returns to the Oscars this year with Avatar: The Way of the Water nominated in the Best Picture category.
Let’s hope he’ll be better prepared than his 1997 appearance when he suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction.
“The tailor was supposed to meet us at the Four Seasons before we went over to the Oscars. The guy never showed up, and my pants are three inches too big,” Cameron explained.
Read more
James Cameron recalls trousers falling down during Titanic Oscars speech
Who will present the Best Actress award in Will Smith’s place?
Friday 10 March 2023 01:50 , Tom Murray
It is an Academy tradition that the recipient of Best Actor from the previous year presents the Best Actress award, and vice versa.
However, Smith is of course banned from Academy events for 10 years after the infamous slap of last year.
With Will Smith out, who will present the Oscar for Best Actress?
The 13 most confusing Oscar decisions of all time
Friday 10 March 2023 00:55 , Tom Murray
The Oscars have produced some truly baffling moments over the years, including a lot of films and stars who really shouldn’t have won.
Adam White explores the most egregious mistakes in recent Oscar history.
Daniel Day-Lewis over Bradley Cooper?! – the 13 most confusing Oscar mistakes
What did Michelle Yeoh do?
Thursday 9 March 2023 23:50 , Tom Murray
Michelle Yeoh caused a little bit of controversy this week with an Instagram post that mentioned Cate Blanchett. The two have both been nominated for Best Actress this year.
On Instagram, Yeoh shared excerpts from a Vogue article about representation at the Oscars, one of which read: “Detractors would say that Blanchett’s is the stronger performance... but it should be noted that she already has two Oscars... Meanwhile, for Yeoh, an Oscar would be life-changing.”
Yeoh quickly deleted the post after receiving criticism online.
Read more:
Goldie Hawn has no time for the Oscars these days
Thursday 9 March 2023 22:52 , Tom Murray
One person who probably won’t be tuning in on Sunday is Oscar-winner Goldie Hawn. The Hollywood icon said in a recent interview that the Academy Awards are no longer “elegant”.
“I’m not old-fashioned, but sometimes jokes are off-colour. And I’m missing reverence,” she said.
Read more:
Goldie Hawn explains why the Oscars are no longer ‘elegant’
Living writer Kazuo Ishiguro recalls ‘eureka’ Bill Nighy moment
Thursday 9 March 2023 21:27 , Tom Murray
Kazuo Ishiguro and his star Bill Nighy are both Oscar-nominated for Living.
The celebrated Japanese-British author wrote the script for the movie, which was adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s Japanese film Ikiru.
Ishiguro recently revealed that he had the brainwave to cast Nighy in the movie while sharing a taxi with the author.
Ishiguro’s wife, Lorna MacDougall, told her husband: “Just leave Bill alone – he’s got enough work.”
Read more:
Kazuo Ishiguro recalls ‘eureka’ Bill Nighy moment ahead of 2023 Oscars
Woman King director says she’ll ‘never get over’ Oscars snub
Thursday 9 March 2023 20:39 , Tom Murray
Among the biggest snubs at this year’s Oscars was that of The Woman King, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s historical drama starring Viola Davis.
The film follows an elite unit of all-female warriors active in the historical kingdom of Dahomey. Unlike the Golden Globes, Baftas and SAG Awards, Davis was not nominated in the Best Actress category for the Oscars. In fact, the film failed to pick up a single nod.
“I’ll never get over it, because what happened was egregious and... it speaks to such a bigger issue in our industry,” Prince-Bythewood said in a new interview.
Read more:
The Woman King director Gina Prince-Bythewood says she’ll ‘never get over’ Oscar snub
Why did Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the Oscars last year?
Thursday 9 March 2023 19:45 , Tom Murray
Last year was undoubtedly the craziest night in Oscars history. While no one could forget what happened, I’ve written a piece explaining *how* it happened and the ensuing aftermath.
Read more here:
Why did Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the Oscars last year?
Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to speak at this year’s ceremony denied by Oscar bosses: report
Thursday 9 March 2023 19:02 , Tom Murray
The Ukrainian president’s request to deliver an address at this year’s Oscars have reportedly been denied.
According to sources speaking to Variety, WME agent Mike Simpson appealed to the Academy to include Zelensky in its much-anticipated broadcast, but was denied.
The report also states that this is the second year in a row that the president, who was formerly a comedic actor, had made an unsuccessful request to speak at the Oscars.
Read more:
Oscars bosses ‘decline Zelensky’s request to speak at 2023 ceremony’
10 greatest Best Picture winners
Thursday 9 March 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell
But hey, sometimes the academy nails it, and a truly great movie triumphs in the Best Picture category.
The Independent’s Geoffrey Macnab selects 10 films that are considered classic motion pictures to this day.
The best Best Picture winners at the Oscars
The 10 most baffling Oscar wins
Thursday 9 March 2023 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Speaking of snubs and surprises, there have been some truly baffling winners over the years.
Helen O’Harra catalogues some of the most bizarre victories and who got bested in each case.
The 10 most baffling wins in Oscars history
This year’s biggest snubs and surprises
Thursday 9 March 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Now that we’ve seen who is nominated, who got snubbed and who got a surprise nod from the academy in their category?
Jacob Stolworthy and Louis Chilton take a look at the unexpected in this year’s nominations.
The 7 biggest snubs and surprises in the 2023 Oscar nominations
How is the academy going to handle the fallout from The Slap in 2022?
Thursday 9 March 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell
The unfortunate headline-dominating moment from last year’s ceremony is back on people’s minds as the Oscars draws nearer.
How are organisers handling The Slap?
Annabel Nugent reports.
With Will Smith out, who will present the Oscar for Best Actress?
Who is hosting the ceremony?
Thursday 9 March 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Jimmy Kimmel will be returning to front the 95th Oscars in 2023, marking the talk show host’s third time presenting the ceremony.
The late-night talk show host is considered a safe pair of hands to handle the movie industry’s biggest night, however, the first time he hosted is probably still firmly imprinted on the memories of some of Hollywood’s leading stars...
Elli Harrison explains.
Jimmy Kimmel to return as host for 2023 Oscars
Who is nominated in the 2023 Oscars?
Thursday 9 March 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Nominations for all 23 categories were announced by Riz Ahmed and M3GAN star Alison Williams.
Leading this year’s pack is Everything Everywhere All at Once, with 11, and German film All Quiet on the Western Front, which follows close behind with 10.
Jacob Stolworthy guides you through the full list:
The 2023 Oscar nominations in full
First up - logistics: When and how to watch
Thursday 9 March 2023 15:43 , Oliver O'Connell
The 95th Academy Awards are on Sunday 12 March at 5pm PT (8pm ET), with the red carpet arrivals expected to begin from around 2pm PT.
As well as following along with us live, here’s how you can watch the entire show in the US and UK.
Welcome to our live coverage of the Oscars 2023
Thursday 9 March 2023 15:38 , Oliver O'Connell
Welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of the 95th Annual Academy Awards.
We’ll be taking you through the nominees in all the most-watched categories, priming you with the best in Oscars trivia, and keeping you up to date on the red carpet, controversies, celebrations, touching moments, and of course a full rundown of all the winners.
Stay tuned!