94th Academy Awards#Winners and nominees

The nominees for the 94th Academy Awards were announced on February 8, 2022, by actors Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross.{{cite news |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Watch the Oscars Nominations Livestream |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/2022-oscar-nominations-livestream-how-to-watch-1234927719/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805014913/https://deadline.com/2022/02/2022-oscar-nominations-livestream-how-to-watch-1234927719/ |url-status=live}} The Power of the Dog led all nominees with twelve nominations; Dune came in second with ten.{{cite news |last1=Faughdner |first1=Ryan |title=Oscars 2022: Netflix Leads Nominations as Streamers Prevail |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-02-08/oscars-2022-netflix-leads-nominations-in-another-streaming-heavy-year |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208155613/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-02-08/oscars-2022-netflix-leads-nominations-in-another-streaming-heavy-year |url-status=live}} The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 27.{{cite news |last1=Cohn |first1=Gabe |title=2022 Oscar Winners: Complete List |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/27/movies/oscars-winner-list.html |url-access=limited |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615121744/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/27/movies/oscars-winner-list.html |url-status=live}}

CODA became the first Best Picture winner to be distributed via a streaming platform and the first one starring a primarily deaf cast.{{cite news |last1=Coyle |first1=Jake |title=At a Pugnacious Oscars, Apple's Feel-Good CODA Triumphs |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-oscars-show-9a69424884de11649b68a12a284353a1 |access-date=May 13, 2022 |publisher=Associated Press |date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328005634/https://apnews.com/article/2022-oscars-show-9a69424884de11649b68a12a284353a1 |url-status=live}} Its three nominations were the fewest for any Best Picture winner since 1932's Grand Hotel, and it was the first Best Picture winner without directing or film editing nominations since the aforementioned film. Furthermore, it became the first without any nominations in the below-the-line categories since 1980's Ordinary People.{{cite news |last1=Means |first1=Sean P. |title=How CODA Made History for the Sundance Film Festival with Best Picture Oscar Win |url=https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2022/03/27/how-coda-made-history/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510232132/https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2022/03/27/how-coda-made-history/ |url-status=live}}

Best Director winner Jane Campion was the third woman to win the award and the first woman to be nominated twice, having previously been nominated for 1993's The Piano.{{cite news |last1=Arkin |first1=Daniel |title=Jane Campion Becomes Third Woman to Win Best Director Oscar |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/awards/jane-campion-becomes-third-woman-win-best-director-oscar-rcna18904 |access-date=July 24, 2022 |agency=NBC News |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615220213/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/awards/jane-campion-becomes-third-woman-win-best-director-oscar-rcna18904 |url-status=live}} The Power of the Dog became the first film to win Best Director as its sole award since 1967's The Graduate.{{cite news |last1=Feinberg |first1=Scott |title=Oscars Analysis: How CODA Won and Will Smith Lost It |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2022-oscars-analysis-feinberg-1235120654/ |access-date=September 12, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921223601/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2022-oscars-analysis-feinberg-1235120654/ |url-status=live}} Best Original Screenplay winner Kenneth Branagh was the first person to have been nominated in seven different categories throughout his career, having also been nominated as director and as one of the producers for Belfast.{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Ryan |title=Kenneth Branagh Breaks Oscar Record with Seven Nominations in Seven Different Categories |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/kenneth-branagh-belfast-oscar-nomination-record-1234928334/ |access-date=July 2, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615220213/https://deadline.com/2022/02/kenneth-branagh-belfast-oscar-nomination-record-1234928334/ |url-status=live}}

Best Supporting Actor winner Troy Kotsur became the first deaf man and second deaf individual overall to win an acting award.{{efn|name=Kotsur|Kotsur's co-star Marlee Matlin was the first deaf performer to earn an acting award, having won Best Actress for her performance in 1986's Children of a Lesser God.{{cite news |last1=Gelt |first1=Jessica |title=Marlee Matlin Sees Deaf Culture Flowing into the Hollywood Mainstream. 'Keep Making It Happen' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-03-28/marlee-matlin-coda-deaf-actors |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614222346/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-03-28/marlee-matlin-coda-deaf-actors |url-status=live}}}} Best Supporting Actress winner Ariana DeBose was the first Afro-Latina person and first openly queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar.{{cite news |last1=Elbert |first1=Lynn |title=Ariana DeBose Wins Oscar for Best Supporting Actress |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/ariana-debose-wins-oscar-best-supporting-actress-83708747 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=ABC News |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514105230/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/ariana-debose-wins-oscar-best-supporting-actress-83708747 |url-status=live}} Furthermore, as a result of her win for portraying Anita in the 2021 film adaptation of the Broadway musical West Side Story, she and Rita Moreno, who previously won for playing the same character in the 1961 film adaptation, became the third pair of actors to win for portraying the same character in two different films.{{efn|name=DeBose|Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro were the first pair of actors to achieve this feat. Brando won Best Actor for portraying Vito Corleone in 1972's The Godfather; De Niro won Best Supporting Actor for portraying a younger version of the same character in 1974's The Godfather Part II. Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix later repeated this feat by virtue of their wins for their performances as the Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight and 2019's Joker, respectively.}}

Nominated for their performances as Leda Caruso in The Lost Daughter, Best Actress nominee Olivia Colman and Best Supporting Actress nominee Jessie Buckley were the third pair of actresses nominated for portraying the same character in the same film.{{efn|name=Lost Daughter|Previously, Kate Winslet and Gloria Stuart first achieved this distinction by virtue of their nominations for their performances as two versions of Rose DeWitt Bukater in 1997's Titanic. Winslet would again achieve this distinction with Judi Dench for their performances as two different versions of the titular character in 2001's Iris.{{cite magazine |last1=Nolfi |first1=Joey |title=Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley score Oscar nods for playing same character in same movie |url=https://ew.com/awards/oscars/olivia-colman-jessie-buckley-lost-daughter-oscar-nominated-playing-same-character/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805014913/https://ew.com/awards/oscars/olivia-colman-jessie-buckley-lost-daughter-oscar-nominated-playing-same-character/ |url-status=live}}}} Flee became the first film to be nominated for Best Animated Feature, Best International Feature Film, and Best Documentary Feature in the same year.{{cite news |last1=Yamato |first1=Jen |title=Danish Animated Doc Flee Makes Oscars History with Triple Nominations |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-02-08/oscars-nomination-flee-history-documentary-animation |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=June 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606212227/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-02-08/oscars-nomination-flee-history-documentary-animation |url-status=live}}

{{stack begin}}

File:Jane Campion DNZM (cropped).jpg, Best Director winner]]

File:TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019 - Day 1 (48834070763) (cropped).jpg, Best Actor winner]]

File:SDCC 2015 - Jessica Chastain (19111308673) (cropped).jpg, Best Actress winner]]

File:Troy kotsur 2022 1.jpg, Best Supporting Actor winner]]

File:Ariana DeBose (cropped).jpg, Best Supporting Actress winner]]

File:KennethBranaghApr2011.jpg, Best Original Screenplay winner]]

File:Sian Heder during an interview, March 2022.jpg, Best Adapted Screenplay winner]]

File:Byron Howard.jpg, Best Animated Feature Film co-winner]]

File:Ryusuke Hamaguchi (HKAFF2018) (cropped).png, Best International Feature Film winner]]

File:Questlove in Sau Paolo.jpg, Best Documentary Feature co-winner]]

File:Riz Ahmed by Gage Skidmore.jpg, Best Live Action Short Film co-winner]]

File:Hans-Zimmer-profile (cropped).jpg, Best Original Score winner]]

File:Billie Eilish 2019 by Glenn Francis (cropped) 2.jpg, Best Original Song co-winner]]

File:Finneas O'Connell 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg , Best Original Song co-winner]]

File:Theo Green Film Composer (cropped).jpg, Best Sound co-winner]]

File:Greig Fraser.jpg, Best Cinematography winner]]

File:Editor Joe Walker interviewed, 2018 (291032063).jpg, Best Film Editing winner]]

{{stack end}}

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡).{{cite web |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2022 |title=The 94th Academy Awards (2022) {{!}} Nominees and Winners |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325152056/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2022 |url-status=live}}

The Academy held its 12th annual Governors Awards ceremony on March 25, 2022, during which the following awards were presented:

• To Samuel L. Jackson, whose dynamic performances resonate across genres and generations of audiences worldwide.
• To Elaine May, writer, director, performer, pioneer whose bracing comedic spark illuminates us all.
• To Liv Ullmann, for her deeply affecting screen portrayals and lifelong commitment to exploring the human condition.

• Danny Glover {{en dash}} "For [his] decades-long advocacy for justice and human rights reflects his dedication to recognizing our shared humanity on and off the screen."

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The following individuals, listed in order of appearance, presented awards or performed musical numbers.Multiple sources:

• {{cite magazine |last1=Travis |first1=Ben |date=March 27, 2022 |title=Oscars 2022 Live Blog |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/oscars-2022-live-blog/ |url-status=live |magazine=Empire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504052400/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/oscars-2022-live-blog/ |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2022}}
• {{cite news |last1=Acevedo |first1=Nicole |last2=Arkin |first2=Daniel |last3=Blakenstein |first3=Andrew |last4=Brand |first4=Anna |last5=Da Silva |first5=Chantal |last6=Goode |first6=Justine |last7=Hamedy |first7=Saba |last8=Murphy |first8=Joe |last9=Patton |first9=Elaina |date=March 27, 2022 |title=What Happened at the Oscars |agency=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/awards/live-blog/live-blog-oscars-2022-live-updates-n1293280 |url-status=live |access-date=May 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512070844/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/awards/live-blog/live-blog-oscars-2022-live-updates-n1293280 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |last10=Richardson |first10=Randi |last11=Romero |first11=Dennis |last12=Smith |first12=Savannah}}
• {{cite news |date=March 27, 2022 |title=Oscars 2022: All the Best Photos from the Academy Awards Show |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/movies/2022/03/28/oscars-all-best-celebrity-photos-academy-awards-show/7175637001/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818083550/https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/movies/2022/03/28/oscars-all-best-celebrity-photos-academy-awards-show/7175637001/ |archive-date=August 18, 2022}}
• {{cite news |last1=Schaffstall |first1=Katherine |date=March 27, 2022 |title=Oscars: Encanto Cast Delivers First Live Performance of 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' With New Megan Thee Stallion Verse |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/we-dont-talk-about-bruno-encanto-2022-oscars-performance-1235120132/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602103830/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/we-dont-talk-about-bruno-encanto-2022-oscars-performance-1235120132/ |archive-date=June 2, 2022}}

{{Multiple image|perrow=3|total_width=340

| image1 = Regina Hall NY 2019 (02) (cropped).jpg

| alt1 = Regina Hall in 2019

| image2 = Amy Schumer by Mario Santor.jpg

| image3 = Wanda Sykes 2010 GLAAD Media Awards.jpg

| alt3 = Wanda Sykes in 2010

| footer = Regina Hall (left), Amy Schumer (center), and Wanda Sykes (right) hosted 94th Academy Awards.

}}

In October 2021, the Academy hired film director and producer Will Packer and his production company chief of staff Shayla Cowan to oversee production of the 2022 ceremony.{{cite news |last1=Hammond |first1=Pete |title=Oscars: Will Packer Set To Produce 2022 Academy Awards |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/oscars-producer-will-packer-2022-academy-awards-1234850118/ |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=February 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201050635/https://deadline.com/2021/10/oscars-producer-will-packer-2022-academy-awards-1234850118/ |url-status=live}} "Will is a powerhouse producer who has enjoyed success across all movie genres! He's already bringing a boundless energy and a focus on innovation to this year's Oscars, to entertain the widest spectrum of fans. Many wonderful surprises ahead," remarked Academy president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson. In response, Packer expressed his gratitude, saying: "The power, the beauty, the romance of the imagery in movies has always attracted me. I'm fully embracing the challenge of bringing an ode to one of the most iconic mediums in the world to life. What an honor." Four months later, actresses and comedians Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes were announced as hosts of the gala during an interview with Packer on Good Morning America. This marked the first time that three people had shared hosting duties for the Oscars since Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, and Paul Hogan presided over the 59th ceremony held in 1987.{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Sonia |title=Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes Will Host the Oscars Ceremony |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/02/15/oscars-hosts-hall-schumer-sykes/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 21, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 15, 2022 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813004031/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/02/15/oscars-hosts-hall-schumer-sykes/ |url-status=live}}

This year, the show was centered around the theme "Movie Lovers Unite".{{cite news |last1=Richwine |first1=Lisa |title=Oscars Face a Make-or-Break Moment to Build Audience |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/oscars-face-make-or-break-moment-build-audience-2022-03-24/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |work=Reuters |date=March 24, 2022 |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325194536/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/oscars-face-make-or-break-moment-build-audience-2022-03-24/ |url-status=live}} In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Packer explained his reasoning behind the theme, stating: "Some are movie lovers who have seen every single one of the nominated movies, and they've got very specific opinions about who wins. And then you have people who are just casual moviegoers, who perhaps have not seen the awards fare but who also love movies. I'm inviting them in as well. They're just as important to me as a viewer. And I think we can have a show that does both. We can walk and chew gum at the same time."{{cite news |last1=Rottenberg |first1=Josh |title=Oscars Producer Will Packer Defends Plan Amid Controversy: 'I Take Wild Swings' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-17/oscars-controversy-show-plans-producer-will-packer |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 17, 2022 |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722230245/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-17/oscars-controversy-show-plans-producer-will-packer |url-status=live}} In tandem with the theme, several people from different backgrounds, such as firefighters and healthcare workers, participated in the nominations announcement.{{cite news |last1=McNamara |first1=Mary |author-link=Mary McNamara |title=After Two Years of a Pandemic, Is It Any Wonder that Family Dominates the Oscar Nods? |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-02-08/column-after-two-years-of-a-pandemic-is-it-any-wonder-that-family-dominates-the-oscar-noms |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 21, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402171059/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-02-08/column-after-two-years-of-a-pandemic-is-it-any-wonder-that-family-dominates-the-oscar-noms |url-status=live}} DJ Khaled introduced the hosts at the beginning of the telecast, and athletes Tony Hawk, Kelly Slater, and Shaun White introduced a montage saluting the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise.{{cite news |last1=Stevens |first1=Matt |title=Shaun White, Tony Hawk and Kelly Slater Have a G.O.A.T. Debate at the Oscars. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/27/movies/oscars-academy-awards#shaun-white-tony-hawk-and-kelly-slater-have-a-goat-debate-the-oscars |url-access=limited |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615111410/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/27/movies/oscars-academy-awards#shaun-white-tony-hawk-and-kelly-slater-have-a-goat-debate-the-oscars |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Andrews |first1=Travis M. |title=Oscars 2022: A Celeb-Packed Night Interrupted by a Slap Heard 'Round the World |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/28/academy-awards-oscars-2022-recap/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329132941/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/28/academy-awards-oscars-2022-recap/ |url-status=live}}

Also tying in with the ceremony's theme of "Movie Lovers Unite", the Academy teamed up with Twitter to host an "{{visible anchor|Oscars Fan Favorite}}" contest, where Twitter users could vote for their favorite film of the year and their favorite movie moment.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/oscars-twitter-2022-1235092124/ |title=Oscars: Twitter's Top Fan-Voted Film Will Be Recognized During Broadcast (Exclusive) |first=J. Clara |last=Chan |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 14, 2022 |access-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214171209/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/oscars-twitter-2022-1235092124/ |url-status=live}} The contest drew a predominantly negative reaction from Academy members, with some comparing it to the "Popular Film" category initially proposed for the 91st ceremony held in 2019, and others viewing it as an attempt to recognize Spider-Man: No Way Home and its box office performance.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-27/oscars-fan-favorite-award-explained-twitter-vote |title=Oscars Fan Favorite Award Explained: No, Not a Real Oscar |first=Josh |last=Rottenberg |work=Los Angeles Times |url-access=subscription |date=March 27, 2022 |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609022832/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-27/oscars-fan-favorite-award-explained-twitter-vote |url-status=live}} Ultimately, Army of the Dead was named the Oscars Fan Favorite, while the Oscars Cheer Moment went to Zack Snyder's Justice League for "The Flash Enters the Speed Force".{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/awards/army-of-the-dead-oscars-zack-snyder-1235214985/ |title=Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead Wins Fan-Favorite Oscar |first=Jordan |last=Moreau |work=Variety |date=March 27, 2022 |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328094651/https://variety.com/2022/awards/awards/army-of-the-dead-oscars-zack-snyder-1235214985/ |url-status=live}} According to TheWrap, the most active voters were autonomous web programs, although the Academy denied this claim.{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/zack-snyder-oscar-fan-favorite-rig-vote-bots/ |title=Did Zack Snyder Stans Rig the Oscar 'Fan Favorite' Vote With Online Bots? (Exclusive) |first=Umberto |last=Gonzalez |work=TheWrap |date=May 12, 2022 |access-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514085609/https://www.thewrap.com/zack-snyder-oscar-fan-favorite-rig-vote-bots/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/05/zack-snyders-oscars-fan-wins-may-have-been-rigged-by-bots |title=Zack Snyder's Fan-Voted Oscar Wins May Have Been Rigged by Bots |first=Savannah |last=Walsh |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=May 13, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202044819/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/05/zack-snyders-oscars-fan-wins-may-have-been-rigged-by-bots |url-access=limited |url-status=live}}

The festivities marked their return to the Dolby Theatre after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Coyle |first1=Jake |title=Oscar Preview: Five Big Questions Ahead of Sunday's Awards |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-oscars-preview-54353ec422d1a124d296624025b733c4 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |publisher=Associated Press |date=March 22, 2022 |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804171042/https://apnews.com/article/2022-oscars-preview-54353ec422d1a124d296624025b733c4 |url-status=live}} In compliance with Los Angeles County health and safety standards, AMPAS announced that attending nominees and guests would need to show proof of vaccination or a valid medical exemption, and two negative PCR tests, in order to attend. Presenters and performers underwent "rigorous testing" but were not required to be vaccinated. Audience members in sections closest to the stage were seated further apart but were not required to wear face masks. Masks were required for attendees in the mezzanine. Additionally, the annual Governors Awards was held on March 25, two days before the main ceremony, after previously being postponed from its original January 15 date due to concerns due to health and safety concerns related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

Production designer David Korins designed a new stage for the show.{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Adam Blackstone Named Music Director of 2022 Oscars |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/oscars-adam-blackstone-music-director-1235042104/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |date=March 9, 2022 |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309202111/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/oscars-adam-blackstone-music-director-1235042104/ |url-status=live}} Music producer and songwriter Adam Blackstone served as musical director for the telecast and conductor for the orchestra, which featured musicians Travis Barker, Sheila E., and Robert Glasper. Rapper D-Nice served as an in-house DJ during the gala.{{cite news |last1=Coates |first1=Tyler |title=Travis Barker, Sheila E, DJ D-Nice to Perform at Oscars |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/travis-barker-sheila-e-d-nice-oscars-2022-1235114569/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330053637/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/travis-barker-sheila-e-d-nice-oscars-2022-1235114569/ |url-status=live}} As part of a continued focus on enhancing inclusion and accommodations for disabilities, the Academy offered a live feed of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for the ceremony through the Academy Awards' YouTube channel.{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Abbey |title=Oscars Telecast Will Feature Free Live ASL Interpretation on The Academy's YouTube Channel |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-2022-show-asl-interpretation-live-stream-accessibility-disability-1235118372/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 25, 2022 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327194529/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-2022-show-asl-interpretation-live-stream-accessibility-disability-1235118372/ |url-status=live}}

In June 2020, the Academy announced that, starting with the 94th awards, a fixed number of ten films would once again be nominated for Best Picture.{{cite news |last1=Sperling |first1=Nicole |title=The Oscars Will Add a Diversity Requirement for Eligibility |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/movies/oscars-diversity-rule.html |url-access=limited |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327033837/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/movies/oscars-diversity-rule.html |url-status=live}} According to The Hollywood Reporter, this rule change was initiated in order "to maximize the diversity of the films that are nominated for the Academy's highest honor" as part of the organization's Academy Aperture 2025 equity and inclusion initiative.{{cite news |last1=Feinberg |first1=Scott |title=Oscars to Set Inclusion Requirements for Eligibility, Will Guarantee 10 Best Picture Nominees |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/oscars-set-diversity-requirements-eligibility-will-guarantee-10-best-picture-nominees-1298089/ |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 12, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426192111/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/oscars-set-diversity-requirements-eligibility-will-guarantee-10-best-picture-nominees-1298089/ |url-status=live}} Previously, AMPAS had experimented with a ten-film Best Picture slate for two years beginning with the 82nd ceremony in 2010 before changing the rules two years later so that a fluctuating number of films would be nominated depending on the nomination voting results.{{cite news |last1=Kilday |first1=Gregg |title=Academy Revises Best Picture Rules; Can Be 5 to 10 Nominees |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/academy-revises-best-picture-rules-201404/ |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 14, 2011 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813004024/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/academy-revises-best-picture-rules-201404/ |url-status=live}}

Due to continued concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academy decided once again to allow films that were released via video on demand or streaming to be eligible for the awards on the condition that said films were originally scheduled to have a theatrical release prior to the start of the pandemic. However, only feature films released during the ten-month period in 2021 from March 1 to December 31 would be eligible for awards consideration.

The presentations and acceptance of eight awards (Best Animated Short Film, Best Documentary Short Subject, Best Film Editing, Best Live Action Short Film, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Sound) were not broadcast live but instead pre-taped an hour before the start of the telecast, in an attempt to "allow more time for comedy, film clips and musical numbers", and to shorten the ceremony; a similar move had been attempted for the 91st Academy Awards in 2019 but had been reversed after being negatively received.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-several-awards-wont-be-telecast-live-this-year-exclusive-1235097888/ |title=Oscars: Eight Awards Won't Be Telecast Live This Year (Exclusive) |first=Scott |last=Feinberg |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 22, 2022 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222225615/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-several-awards-wont-be-telecast-live-this-year-exclusive-1235097888/ |url-status=live}} The decision was reportedly made under pressure from ABC executives, who had initially demanded that 12 categories be moved off the live broadcast, under the possible penalty of not airing the ceremony at all.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-infighting-over-excluding-categories-1235103324/ |title=Oscars: Academy Infighting Mounting Over Categories Controversy (Exclusive) |first=Scott |last=Feinberg |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 4, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |archive-date=March 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312055226/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-infighting-over-excluding-categories-1235103324/ |url-status=live}} Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa presented the awards off the air.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/oscars-josh-brolin-jason-mamoa-oscar-preshow-1234987420/ |title=Oscars: Jason Momoa & Josh Brolin Confirmed To Present Categories To Be Taped Before Live Telecast |first=Pete |last=Hammond |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 25, 2022 |access-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425083806/https://deadline.com/2022/03/oscars-josh-brolin-jason-mamoa-oscar-preshow-1234987420/ |url-status=live}}

The move was quickly met with significant backlash.{{cite news |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=Carey |first2=Matthew |last3=Pedersen |first3=Erik |title=Oscar Telecast Shakeup & The 'Setup' Zoom Call That Preceded It Face Backlash: 'This Is Not The Answer' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/oscars-categories-changes-backlash-movie-industry-reactions-1234958682/ |access-date=April 10, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 23, 2022 |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323005955/https://deadline.com/2022/02/oscars-categories-changes-backlash-movie-industry-reactions-1234958682/ |url-status=live}} Following the announcement, Steven Spielberg said: "All of us are on the same line bringing the best of us to tell the best stories we possibly can. And that means for me we should all have a seat at the supper table together live at 5."{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/steven-spielberg-oscars-controversy-statement-reaction-1234972587/ |title=Steven Spielberg Disagrees With Decision To Pre-Record Eight Oscar Categories, Not Optimistic About A Reversal |first=Pete |last=Hammond |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 7, 2022 |access-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308002217/https://deadline.com/2022/03/steven-spielberg-oscars-controversy-statement-reaction-1234972587/ |url-status=live}} More than 70 prominent film professionals—including Guillermo del Toro, James Cameron, Jane Campion, Denis Villeneuve, and John Williams—issued a letter urging the Academy to reverse the plan, which they argued would relegate some nominees to "the status of second-class citizens". Addressed to Academy President David Rubin, the letter claimed that the decision would do "irreparable damage" to the Oscars' reputation by "demeaning the very crafts that, in their most outstanding expressions, make the art of filmmaking worthy of celebration".{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-09/oscars-controversy-live-show-open-letter-james-cameron |title=Over 70 Hollywood heavy-hitters slam controversial Oscar changes in open letter |first=Josh |last=Rottenberg |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 9, 2022 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309201332/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-09/oscars-controversy-live-show-open-letter-james-cameron |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} Best Actress nominee (and eventual winner) Jessica Chastain decided to skip the red carpet and other press to ensure she was in the theater during the Makeup and Hairstyling category to support the team who worked with her on The Eyes of Tammy Faye, stating: "The most important thing for me is to honor the incredible artisans who work in our industry."{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/awards/oscars/jessica-chastain-oscars-red-carpet-tammy-faye-makeup-team/ |title=Jessica Chastain says she'd skip Oscars red carpet to support Tammy Faye makeup team |first=Joey |last=Nolfi |date=March 17, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318150114/https://ew.com/awards/oscars/jessica-chastain-oscars-red-carpet-tammy-faye-makeup-team/ |url-status=live}} Sound engineer Tom Fleischman and production sound mixer Peter Kurland resigned from the Academy in protest of the new policy.{{cite news |last1=Pedersen |first1=Erik |title=CAS Board Member Peter Kurland Quits AMPAS Over Pre-Taped Oscar Categories Flap |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/oscar-controversy-sound-man-quits-movie-academy-over-taped-categories-1234985458/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 23, 2022 |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604183047/https://deadline.com/2022/03/oscar-controversy-sound-man-quits-movie-academy-over-taped-categories-1234985458/ |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Chris Rock–Will Smith slapping incident}}

During the presentation for Best Documentary Feature, actor Will Smith walked onstage and slapped presenter and comedian Chris Rock over a joke about the former's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock remarked: "Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it," referencing the 1997 film G.I. Jane in which Demi Moore's character wears her hair in a buzz cut.{{cite news |last1=Melbourneweaver |first1=Samantha |title=This Is What Will Smith and Chris Rock Said During the Oscars Slap |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-03-27/oscars-2022-what-did-will-smith-say-to-chris-rock |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614231424/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-03-27/oscars-2022-what-did-will-smith-say-to-chris-rock |url-status=live}} Pinkett Smith was diagnosed with alopecia in 2018 and shaved her head due to the condition.{{cite news |last=Bellamy |first=Claretta |date=January 7, 2022 |title=How Jada Pinkett Smith is Uplifting Black Women with Alopecia |agency=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/jada-pinkett-smith-uplifting-black-women-alopecia-rcna11273 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328034022/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/jada-pinkett-smith-uplifting-black-women-alopecia-rcna11273 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022}} The joke was ad-libbed by Rock and not part of his scripted remarks.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/why-will-smith-wasnt-ejected-from-oscars-chris-rock-slap-1235217098/ |title=Why Will Smith Wasn't Ejected From the Oscars After Chris Rock Slap |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |work=Variety |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329025321/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/why-will-smith-wasnt-ejected-from-oscars-chris-rock-slap-1235217098/ |url-status=live}} After initially laughing, Smith rose from his seat near the stage, walked up to Rock, slapped him, and returned to his seat. Rock said: "Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me." After Smith returned to his seat, he shouted to Rock, twice: "Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth!" Rock replied: "I'm going to, okay?" to Smith and joked that it was the "greatest night in the history of television" before presenting the award.{{cite news |last1=Rottenberg |first1=Josh |title=A Joke, a slap, Then Chaos: How Will Smith's Attack on Chris Rock Upended the Oscars |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-28/oscars-2022-will-smith-chris-rock-slap-ticktock |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 13, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512165017/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-28/oscars-2022-will-smith-chris-rock-slap-ticktock |url-status=live}} Commentators noted that although Rock appeared to fumble his subsequent lines, he maintained his composure in the midst of chaos.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/28/movies/the-oscars-2022.html |title=Onstage Slap Rattles Oscars, Before CODA Triumphs |work=The New York Times |last1=Barnes |first1=Brooks |last2=Sperling |first2=Nicole |date=March 28, 2022 |url-access=limited |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328051648/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/28/movies/the-oscars-2022.html |url-status=live}}

An Academy librarian said the altercation was likely the first incident of on-stage violence in Academy Awards history.{{cite magazine |last=Desta |first=Yohana |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock at Oscars 2022 After Joke Gone Wrong |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/03/will-smith-chris-rock-oscars |url-access=limited |url-status=live |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328033949/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/03/will-smith-chris-rock-oscars |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022}} In the United States, ABC muted the audio due to federal broadcast profanity regulations; however, many international broadcasters use a clear feed and did not censor it, and uncensored recordings of the event went viral on social media.{{cite web |last=Bellware |first=Kim |date=March 28, 2022 |title=ABC Tried to Censor the Oscars Slap; It Spread Unedited Anyway |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/28/oscars-slap-editing/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330005504/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/28/oscars-slap-editing/ |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |access-date=March 29, 2022 |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post}} About forty minutes later, Smith won the award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard. He focused his speech on his need to protect those around him and apologized to the Academy and to the other nominees, but not to Rock; he received a standing ovation.{{cite news |last1=Whipp |first1=Glenn |last2=Rottenberg |first2=Josh |url-access=subscription |date=April 7, 2022 |title=Here's What Really Happened After Will Smith Slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars |language=en-US |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-04-07/will-smith-oscars-slap-timeline-chris-rock |access-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410154018/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-04-07/will-smith-oscars-slap-timeline-chris-rock |url-status=live}} The Economist described his acceptance speech, in which he appealed to God calling on him to do "crazy things" in the name of love, as "dangerous, self-serving cant".{{cite news |title=Have the Oscars Lost Their Way? |url=https://www.economist.com/culture/2022/03/28/have-the-oscars-lost-their-way |access-date=March 28, 2022 |newspaper=The Economist |date=March 28, 2022 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328214928/https://www.economist.com/culture/2022/03/28/have-the-oscars-lost-their-way |url-status=live}}

Many celebrities expressed shock, disappointment, and outrage over the incident.{{cite news |last1=Da Silva |first1=Chantal |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Celebrities React to Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars |agency=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/celebrities-react-will-smith-slap-chris-rock-oscars-2022-rcna21781 |url-status=live |access-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425164321/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/celebrities-react-will-smith-slap-chris-rock-oscars-2022-rcna21781 |archive-date=April 25, 2022}} The show's production team decided not to remove Smith from the theater, due to time constraints and the desire to avoid another disruption.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/28/movies/oscars-will-smith-slap-reactions.html |title=Academy Condemns Will Smith for Slap at Oscars and Opens Inquiry |work=The New York Times |date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |last1=Sperling |first1=Nicole |last2=Stevens |first2=Matt |last3=Jacobs |first3=Julia |url-access=limited |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331013321/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/28/movies/oscars-will-smith-slap-reactions.html |url-status=live}} Rock did not file a police report over the incident.{{cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Chris Rock Declines to File Police Report After Will Smith Slap at Oscars, LAPD Says |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/chris-rock-police-report-will-smith-slap-oscars-1235216542/ |access-date=March 28, 2022 |work=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328050505/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/chris-rock-police-report-will-smith-slap-oscars-1235216542/ |url-status=live}} The day after the ceremony, the Academy released a statement condemning Smith's actions and announced an internal review. The same day, Smith formally apologized to Rock, the Academy, the Williams family, and the cast and crew of King Richard in Instagram and Facebook posts; he described his behavior as "unacceptable and inexcusable".{{cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock for Oscars Slap: 'I Was Out of Line and I Was Wrong' |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/will-smith-apologizes-chris-rock-slap-oscars-statement-1235216526/ |access-date=March 29, 2022 |work=Variety |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328235719/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/will-smith-apologizes-chris-rock-slap-oscars-statement-1235216526/ |url-status=live}} Smith later announced his resignation from the Academy on the Friday following the gala. One week later, the Board of Governors banned Smith from all Academy events, including the Academy Awards, for ten years effective that day.

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|19|5.5|31|A shocking outburst overshadows a sour Oscar night marred by ill-conceived gimmicks and time-saving changes that fail to tighten up another bloated ceremony.|ref=yes|access-date=March 28, 2025}}

Television critic Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "After a fairly promising first hour, the show had begun to flag in basically the same ways Oscar telecasts always flag, proving conclusively that producer Will Packer's attempt to fix the event was barely a Band-Aid." He concluded by stating: "The 94th Academy Awards{{Snd}}which should have provided either a pleasant distraction from a world starting to emerge from a pandemic or the opportunity for advocacy relating to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and discriminatory laws being passed around the country{{Snd}}will just be remembered as a moment of toxic awfulness and subsequent infection."{{cite news |last1=Fienberg |first1=Daniel |title=Critic's Notebook: The 94th Academy Awards Were Already Bad, but Then They Got Worse |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/academy-awards-show-review-1235120455/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419202803/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/academy-awards-show-review-1235120455/ |url-status=live}} Variety columnist Caroline Framke quipped: "No matter how desperately ABC and the Academy wanted the ceremony to be a well-oiled machine, this year's Oscars proved the power of live TV, for better and for deeply uncomfortable worse."{{cite news |last1=Framke |first1=Caroline |title=With One Slap, a Carefully Constructed Oscars Fell Spectacularly to Pieces: TV Review |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/reviews/oscars-2022-review-will-smith-chris-rock-1235216567/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |work=Variety |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421135013/https://variety.com/2022/tv/reviews/oscars-2022-review-will-smith-chris-rock-1235216567/ |url-status=live}} Kelly Lawler of USA Today commented that despite the attempts by AMPAS and broadcaster ABC to shorten the ceremony while making it more entertaining for viewers at home, remarking: "It was equal parts boring and terrifying, cringe-worthy and interminable."{{cite news |last1=Lawler |first1=Kelly |title=A Slap, A Dog and Chaos: The Oscars Were a Train Wreck We Couldn't Look Away From |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2022/03/28/oscars-2022-were-train-wreck-we-couldnt-look-away/7187062001/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=USA Today |date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330031657/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2022/03/28/oscars-2022-were-train-wreck-we-couldnt-look-away/7187062001/ |url-status=live}}

Los Angeles Times television critic Lorraine Ali wrote: "Overall, the production was much tighter and brighter than in recent years, thanks in large part to powerful music numbers, a diverse mixture of guests, and the bitingly funny trio of hosts, Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall."{{cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Lorraine |title=Review: The Oscars Promised High Drama. They Got More Than They Bargained For |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-03-27/oscars-2022-will-smith-chris-rock-abc-tv-review |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 21, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331042846/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-03-27/oscars-2022-will-smith-chris-rock-abc-tv-review |url-status=live}} Film critic Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times praised the hosts' performances, writing: "It was funny, albeit relatively safe stuff." He also noted that despite the Smith–Rock incident disrupting the momentum of the proceedings, the telecast was "one of the most uplifting, groundbreaking, amazing Oscars ever".{{cite news |last1=Roeper |first1=Richard |author-link=Richard Roeper |title=Oscars 2022: Will Smith's Slap of Chris Rock Disrupts a Mostly Upbeat Night |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2022/3/27/22999153/oscars-2022-will-smith-chris-rock-slap-jessica-chastain-academy-awards |access-date=May 13, 2022 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419233251/https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2022/3/27/22999153/oscars-2022-will-smith-chris-rock-slap-jessica-chastain-academy-awards |url-status=live}}

The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 16.62 million people over its length, which was a 60% increase from the previous year's ceremony. The show also earned higher Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 9.0% of households watching the ceremony.{{cite web |title=Academy Awards Ratings |url=https://www.tvb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Academy_Awards_Nielsen.pdf |publisher=Television Bureau of Advertising |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813004023/https://www.tvb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Academy_Awards_Nielsen.pdf |url-status=live}} In addition, it garnered a higher 18–49 demo rating with a 3.76 rating, or 77% viewers in that demographic. In July 2022, the broadcast was nominated for three awards at the 74th Primetime Emmys, but it failed to win any of its nominations.{{cite news |last1=Moreau |first1=Jordan |last2=Schneider |first2=Michael |title=Emmys 2022: The Complete Nominations List |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/emmys-nominations-list-2022-1235313788/ |work=Variety |date=July 12, 2022 |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712193223/https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/emmys-nominations-list-2022-1235313788/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |title=2022 Creative Arts Emmys: See full winners list |url=https://ew.com/awards/emmys/2022-creative-arts-emmys-winners-list/ |access-date=September 12, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 4, 2022 |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908184408/https://ew.com/awards/emmys/2022-creative-arts-emmys-winners-list/ |url-status=live}}

The "In Memoriam" tribute, accompanied by a musical medley performed by musical group The Samples, paid tribute to the following individuals.{{cite web |title=94th Oscars In Memoriam: Look Back on Those We Lost Through 2022 |url=https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/94th-oscars-in-memoriam-2022 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date=June 15, 2022 |date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420194044/https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/94th-oscars-in-memoriam-2022 |url-status=live}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Sidney Poitier – actor, director
• Olympia Dukakis – actress
• William Hurt – actor
• Stephen Sondheim – composer
• Halyna Hutchins – cinematographer
• Ned Beatty – actor
• Peter Bogdanovich – actor, director, writer
• Clarence Williams III – actor
• Chris Huvane – talent manager
• Michael K. Williams – actor
• Jerome Hellman – producer
• Jean-Paul Belmondo – actor
• David H. DePatie – producer
• Martha De Laurentiis – producer
• Irwin W. Young – film laboratory executive, producer
• Sally Kellerman – actress
• Richard Donner – director
• Ivan Reitman – director, producer
• Emi Wada – costume designer
• Yvette Mimieux – actress
• Sonny Chiba – actor, martial artist
• Lina Wertmüller – director, writer
• Douglas Trumbull – visual effects, director, producer
• Brian Goldner – producer
• Robert Blalack – visual effects supervisor
• Felipe Cazals – director, writer
• Saginaw Grant – actor
• Jon Gregory – film editor
• Dorothy Steel – actress
• Dean Stockwell – actor
• Melvin Van Peebles – director, producer, writer, actor
• Alan Ladd Jr. – producer, executive
• David Brenner – film editor
• Don Phillips – casting director, producer
• Bill Taylor – visual effects supervisor, cinematographer
• Norman Lloyd – actor
• Ruthie Tompson – animator
• Brad Allan – stunt performer, stunt coordinator
• Mikis Theodorakis – composer
• Max Julien – actor, writer, producer
• Lewis Erskine – film editor
• Tony Walton – production designer, costume designer
• Steve Schapiro – photographer
• Mace Neufeld – producer, talent manager
• Carmen Salinas – actress
• Paul Mooney – comedian, actor, writer
• Betty White – actress
• Marilyn Bergman – lyricist
• Leslie Bricusse – songwriter, writer
• Marcia Nasatir – executive producer
• Buddy Van Horn – stunt performer, stunt coordinator, director
• Diane Weyermann – producer, executive
• Jane Powell – actress, singer
• Jean-Marc Vallée – director, producer, writer, film editor
• Charles Grodin – actor

{{div col end}}

During the montage, actors Tyler Perry, Bill Murray, and Jamie Lee Curtis eulogized Poitier, Reitman, and White, respectively. Furthermore, a moment of silence was observed at the end of Reba McEntire's performance of Best Song nominee "Somehow You Do" in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news |last1=Hamedy |first1=Saba |last2=Patton |first2=Elaina |title=Oscars Holds a Moment of Silence for Ukraine |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/blog/ukraine-russia-war-live-updates-zelenskyy-open-neutrality-putin-presses-n1293353/ncrd1293355#blogHeader |access-date=June 15, 2022 |agency=NBC News |date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804171134/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/blog/ukraine-russia-war-live-updates-zelenskyy-open-neutrality-putin-presses-n1293353/ncrd1293355#blogHeader |url-status=live}}

• List of submissions to the 94th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://oscar.go.com/|Academy Awards official website}}
• {{Official website|http://www.oscars.org/|The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences official website}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/user/Oscars Oscars Channel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226082028/https://www.youtube.com/user/Oscars |date=February 26, 2019 }} at YouTube (run by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)

News resources

• [https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment_and_arts Oscars 2022] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328040836/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment_and_arts |date=March 28, 2022 }} at BBC News
• [https://www.theguardian.com/film/oscars-2022 Oscars 2022] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328042431/https://www.theguardian.com/film/oscars-2022 |date=March 28, 2022 }} at The Guardian

Other resources

• {{IMDb title|10471904|The Oscars (2022)}}

{{Academy Awards}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Academy Awards, 94}}

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Category:Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema

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