The 94th Academy Awards, held on March 27, 2022, celebrated cinematic excellence with CODA taking home Best Picture. This historic ceremony featured major wins for Will Smith and Jessica Chastain, alongside a memorable red carpet and several viral moments that redefined the Oscars’ cultural impact during the early 2020s awards season.
The Historic Best Picture Win: CODA and its Impact
The 2022 Oscars will forever be remembered for the ascent of CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Directed by Sian Heder, the film’s victory marked a monumental shift in the film industry’s landscape. It was the first film distributed by a streaming service—Apple TV+—to win the Academy’s highest honor, signaling the end of the traditional studio era's dominance over the Best Picture category.
CODA follows the story of Ruby Rossi, the only hearing member of a deaf family, as she balances her duties to her family’s struggling fishing business with her own aspirations to attend the Berklee College of Music. The film's resonance stemmed from its authentic casting and heartwarming narrative. Beyond the Best Picture win, the film achieved a perfect record at the ceremony, winning all three categories for which it was nominated: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay (Sian Heder), and Best Supporting Actor (Troy Kotsur).
Troy Kotsur’s win was particularly significant. He became the first deaf male actor to win an Academy Award, delivering one of the most moving acceptance speeches in the history of the telecast. The audience responded with "silent applause"—the American Sign Language (ASL) gesture of waving hands—creating a powerful visual moment of inclusivity that defined the 94th Oscars.
2022 Oscars Full Winners List
The following table provides a comprehensive breakdown of the major winners from the 94th Academy Awards. This list serves as a historical record of the films and individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions to cinema in 2021.
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi, and Patrick Wachsberger | CODA |
| Best Director | Jane Campion | The Power of the Dog |
| Best Actor | Will Smith | King Richard |
| Best Actress | Jessica Chastain | The Eyes of Tammy Faye |
| Best Supporting Actor | Troy Kotsur | CODA |
| Best Supporting Actress | Ariana DeBose | West Side Story |
| Best Original Screenplay | Kenneth Branagh | Belfast |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Sian Heder | CODA |
| Best Animated Feature | Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino, and Clark Spencer | Encanto |
| Best International Feature | Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Drive My Car (Japan) |
| Best Documentary Feature | Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent, and David Dinerstein | Summer of Soul |
| Best Original Score | Hans Zimmer | Dune |
| Best Original Song | Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell | "No Time to Die" from No Time to Die |
| Best Cinematography | Greig Fraser | Dune |
| Best Visual Effects | Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor, and Gerd Nefzer | Dune |
Leading Performances: Best Actor, Actress, and Supporting Roles
The 2022 acting categories were filled with veteran performers and rising stars, resulting in several career-defining victories.
Will Smith (Best Actor, King Richard): Smith won his first Oscar for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. His performance was widely praised for its nuance and emotional depth. However, his win was inextricably linked to the physical altercation with Chris Rock earlier in the evening, a moment that dominated headlines for years. Despite the controversy, the Academy recognized the undeniable quality of his work in the biopic.
Jessica Chastain (Best Actress, The Eyes of Tammy Faye): Known for her transformative roles, Chastain’s portrayal of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker earned her the top honors. The role required significant prosthetic work and vocal training, as Chastain sang her own tracks in the film. Her victory was a testament to her dedication to portraying complex, often misunderstood historical figures with empathy.
Ariana DeBose (Best Supporting Actress, West Side Story): DeBose made history as the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar. Playing the role of Anita—the same role that won Rita Moreno an Oscar in 1962—DeBose brought a modern, fierce energy to Steven Spielberg’s reimagining of the classic musical. Her win underscored the importance of representation in Hollywood's most prestigious honors.
Red Carpet Highlights: Trends and Standout Looks
The 2022 Oscars red carpet returned to full form at the Dolby Theatre, showcasing a blend of high-fashion risks and classic Hollywood glamour. After the more subdued ceremonies of the early 2020s, the 94th Academy Awards saw a return to bold colors, intricate textures, and statement-making silhouettes.
- Zendaya in Valentino: Often cited as one of the best-dressed of the night, Zendaya wore a custom Valentino haute couture ensemble featuring a cropped white silk shirt and a silver sequined floor-length skirt. The look was a modern homage to Sharon Stone’s 1998 Oscars outfit and cemented Zendaya’s status as a fashion icon.
- Timothée Chalamet in Louis Vuitton: Chalamet pushed traditional boundaries by opting for a sparkling black lace tuxedo jacket from the Louis Vuitton women’s spring 2022 collection, worn without a shirt. This bold choice reflected the growing trend of gender-fluid fashion on major red carpets.
- Lupita Nyong'o in Prada: Shimmering in a gold, three-dimensional sequined gown by Prada, Nyong'o remained a favorite among fashion critics. The intricate floral embellishments and the architectural structure of the dress were highlighted by Vogue's annual red carpet review as a masterclass in Oscars glamour.
- Color Trends: The 2022 carpet was dominated by vibrant reds, seen on stars like Ariana DeBose and Tracee Ellis Ross, and soft pastels. There was also a notable increase in sustainable fashion choices, with several stars opting for vintage pieces or gowns made from recycled materials.
Unforgettable Moments: Beyond the Award Categories
While the awards are the primary focus, the 94th Oscars featured several moments that entered the cultural zeitgeist immediately.
The most discussed incident of the night was the physical altercation between Will Smith and presenter Chris Rock. After Rock made a joke regarding Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head (a result of her alopecia), Smith walked onto the stage and struck Rock. The incident led to Smith’s eventual 10-year ban from all Academy events, though he was allowed to keep his Best Actor trophy. This moment prompted significant changes in how the Academy handles live-broadcast security and crisis management in the years leading up to 2026.
Beyond the controversy, the ceremony celebrated several cinematic milestones. A 50th-anniversary tribute to The Godfather brought Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro to the stage together. Additionally, a reunion of the Pulp Fiction cast (John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Samuel L. Jackson) provided a nostalgic highlight for fans of 90s cinema.
The 2022 ceremony also saw a touching appearance by Liza Minnelli, who joined Lady Gaga to present the Best Picture award. Gaga’s gentle support of the legendary performer was widely praised as one of the night’s most dignified and compassionate moments.
The Directing and Craft Awards: Dune and Jane Campion
Jane Campion’s win for Best Director for The Power of the Dog was a milestone. Following Chloé Zhao’s win the previous year, Campion’s victory marked the first time in history that women won the Best Director category in consecutive years. Campion, who had previously been nominated in 1994 for The Piano, became the third woman overall to win the award. Her western-noir film was praised for its deconstruction of toxic masculinity and its stunning cinematography.
On the technical side, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune was the night’s big winner in terms of volume. The film swept the technical categories, winning six Oscars:
- Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer)
- Best Sound
- Best Film Editing
- Best Production Design
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Cinematography (Greig Fraser)
The success of Dune at the 94th Oscars validated the industry's investment in large-scale, auteur-driven science fiction. For a detailed look at the technical specifications and the "making of" these sequences, the official Oscars website provides in-depth interviews with the craft winners.
Retrospective: The Legacy of the 94th Academy Awards
From the perspective of 2026, the 2022 Oscars represent a turning point for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The victory of CODA paved the way for streaming services to be viewed as equal peers to traditional studios in the pursuit of prestige awards. It also highlighted a growing appetite for stories that center on disability and diverse perspectives.
The production of the 2022 show, which experimented with pre-recording several craft categories to shorten the broadcast, was met with significant backlash from industry professionals. This controversy led to the Academy reinstating all categories to the live broadcast in subsequent years, reflecting a renewed commitment to honoring all facets of filmmaking.
The "Slap" incident also served as a catalyst for the Academy’s "crisis team," a standard feature of ceremonies since 2023. While the drama of that night initially overshadowed the winners, the lasting legacy of the 2022 Oscars remains the breakthrough of CODA and the individual achievements of Jane Campion, Troy Kotsur, and Ariana DeBose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which film won the most Oscars in 2022?
Dune won the most awards at the 94th Oscars, taking home a total of six trophies. These wins were primarily in technical categories, including Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Production Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Original Score. Despite its technical dominance, it did not win Best Picture.
Why was CODA's Best Picture win considered historic?
CODA’s win was historic because it was the first film from a streaming service (Apple TV+) to win Best Picture. Additionally, it was the first film to win Best Picture without nominations in the Directing or Film Editing categories since Grand Hotel (1932). Its win highlighted the increasing power of digital platforms in the film industry.
Who hosted the 2022 Oscars?
The 94th Academy Awards were hosted by a trio of comedians: Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes. This was the first time the Oscars had multiple hosts since the 83rd ceremony in 2011, and the first time in history that three women shared hosting duties.
Did any International films win major awards in 2022?
Yes, the Japanese film Drive My Car, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, marking a significant achievement for non-English language cinema.
What happened with the Will Smith and Chris Rock incident?
During the broadcast, Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's appearance. Will Smith walked onto the stage and slapped Rock across the face. Upon returning to his seat, Smith shouted at Rock to keep his wife's name out of his mouth. Smith later won Best Actor and apologized in his speech, though not directly to Rock at that time. He was subsequently banned from Academy events for ten years.
Summary of Next Actions for Film Enthusiasts
For those looking to explore the legacy of the 2022 winners, the best next step is to view the winning films on their respective streaming platforms. CODA remains available on Apple TV+, while Dune and The Power of the Dog can be found on Max and Netflix, respectively. Studying the 2022 winners provides essential context for understanding the current trends in Academy voting as we move further into the late 2020s.
