The 89th Academy Awards, held on February 26, 2017, celebrated the best films of 2016. Moonlight won the Oscar for Best Picture after a historic live television error where La La Land was mistakenly announced as the winner. The full list of nominees included Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures, La La Land, Lion, Manchester by the Sea, and Moonlight.
The Historical Context of the 89th Academy Awards
The 2017 Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, arrived at a pivotal moment for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Following two years of intense criticism regarding the lack of diversity among nominees—popularized by the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite—the 89th ceremony was under significant scrutiny to demonstrate a more inclusive representation of cinematic excellence.
The year 2016 had been a remarkably strong year for film, spanning high-concept science fiction, intimate indie dramas, and sweeping musicals. The Best Picture race was initially seen as a duel between the nostalgic, Technicolor-soaked La La Land and the gritty, emotionally resonant Moonlight. However, the eventual list of nine nominees showcased a wide spectrum of human experiences, from the battlefields of World War II to the segregated offices of NASA and the struggling towns of the American West.
As of 2026, the 2017 ceremony remains one of the most discussed events in the history of the Oscars, not just for the quality of the films, but for the unprecedented logistical failure that occurred during the final moments of the broadcast.
Detailed Breakdown of the 2017 Best Picture Nominees
The Academy allows for up to ten nominees for Best Picture, but in 2017, only nine films secured enough votes to make the final cut. Each of these films represented a distinct pillar of the 2016 film landscape.
1. Moonlight (Winner)
Directed by Barry Jenkins and based on Tarell Alvin McCraney's unpublished semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, Moonlight was a revolutionary choice for Best Picture. The film is structured in three chapters, following the protagonist, Chiron, through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood as he grapples with his identity and sexuality in a rough Miami neighborhood.
Moonlight was notable for being the first film with an all-Black cast and the first LGBTQ-themed film to win the top prize. Its victory was seen as a major validation of independent cinema, as the film was produced on a modest budget of roughly $1.5 million.
2. La La Land
Directed by Damien Chazelle, La La Land was the heavy favorite going into the night, having tied the record for the most nominations (14) in Oscar history. A modern musical following an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) and a jazz musician (Ryan Gosling) in Los Angeles, the film was a love letter to classic Hollywood. While it did not take home Best Picture, Chazelle became the youngest person ever to win the Academy Award for Best Director at age 32.
3. Arrival
Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival brought intellectual depth to the science fiction genre. Starring Amy Adams as a linguist tasked with communicating with extraterrestrial visitors, the film explored themes of time, grief, and global unity. It was praised for its non-linear storytelling and its focus on language rather than traditional "alien invasion" tropes.
4. Fences
Based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fences was directed by and starred Denzel Washington. The film is a powerful character study of Troy Maxson, a working-class father in 1950s Pittsburgh dealing with his own unfulfilled dreams and the resulting tension within his family. Viola Davis won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Rose Maxson, Troy’s wife.
5. Hacksaw Ridge
This biographical war film marked Mel Gibson's return to the Academy's good graces. It tells the true story of Desmond Doss (played by Andrew Garfield), a Seventh-day Adventist who served as a medic during the Battle of Okinawa without ever carrying a weapon. The film was lauded for its visceral, terrifyingly realistic battle sequences.
6. Hell or High Water
A modern "neo-Western" directed by David Mackenzie, Hell or High Water followed two brothers (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) who resort to a series of bank robberies to save their family ranch. The film was a critical darling, noted for its sharp screenplay by Taylor Sheridan and a standout performance by Jeff Bridges as the Texas Ranger pursuing them.
7. Hidden Figures
Directed by Theodore Melfi, Hidden Figures was a massive box-office success that shed light on a previously untold chapter of American history. It tells the story of three Black female mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who played vital roles at NASA during the Space Race. The film was celebrated for its uplifting tone and its focus on systemic barriers and intellectual triumph.
8. Lion
Directed by Garth Davis, Lion is the emotional true story of Saroo Brierley, who was separated from his family in India as a child and adopted by an Australian couple. Years later, using Google Earth, he sets out to find his original home. The film starred Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman and was a significant international success.
9. Manchester by the Sea
Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea was a stark, unflinching look at grief. Casey Affleck starred as Lee Chandler, a man who becomes the guardian of his teenage nephew after his brother’s death, forcing him to confront a tragic past in his hometown. Affleck won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance, and Lonergan won for Best Original Screenplay.
Comparison of 2017 Best Picture Nominees
The following table provides a snapshot of how these films performed in terms of critical reception and their presence at the 89th Academy Awards.
| Film | Director | Nominations | Wins | Rotten Tomatoes (2017) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moonlight | Barry Jenkins | 8 | 3 | 98% |
| La La Land | Damien Chazelle | 14 | 6 | 91% |
| Arrival | Denis Villeneuve | 8 | 1 | 94% |
| Fences | Denzel Washington | 4 | 1 | 92% |
| Hacksaw Ridge | Mel Gibson | 6 | 2 | 84% |
| Hell or High Water | David Mackenzie | 4 | 0 | 97% |
| Hidden Figures | Theodore Melfi | 3 | 0 | 93% |
| Lion | Garth Davis | 6 | 0 | 84% |
| Manchester by the Sea | Kenneth Lonergan | 6 | 2 | 96% |
The "Envelopegate" Incident: A Moment in History
The defining moment of the 2017 Oscars occurred during the final minute of the broadcast. Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were handed the wrong envelope when they walked out to announce the Best Picture winner. Instead of the Best Picture envelope, they were given a duplicate of the Best Actress envelope, which contained the name "Emma Stone - La La Land."
Confused by the card, Beatty showed it to Dunaway, who saw the film title and immediately announced La La Land as the winner. The producers of La La Land—Jordan Horowitz, Marc Platt, and Fred Berger—were mid-speech when Academy officials and stagehands realized the error.
In a moment of extraordinary grace and chaos, Jordan Horowitz stepped to the microphone, held up the correct card, and announced: "There's a mistake. Moonlight, you guys won Best Picture. This is not a joke."
The Investigation and Aftermath
The error was traced back to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) accountants Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz, who were responsible for handing the envelopes to the presenters. It was later revealed that Cullinan had been distracted by social media backstage and handed Beatty the wrong envelope.
In the years since, the Academy has implemented stricter protocols, including banning mobile devices backstage for the accountants and adding a third set of envelopes to be held by the show's producers.
Key Winners Beyond Best Picture
To understand the full scope of the 2017 Oscars, it is essential to look at the major winners in other categories. These wins provided a balanced distribution of awards among the top-tier nominees.
- Best Director: Damien Chazelle (La La Land). This win cemented Chazelle's status as a generational talent, though the loss of Best Picture moments later created a bittersweet legacy for the film.
- Best Actor: Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea). Despite some controversy surrounding his past, Affleck's performance was widely regarded by critics as the most nuanced of the year.
- Best Actress: Emma Stone (La La Land). Stone’s win was the high point of the night for the musical, highlighting her versatility as both a singer and a dramatic actor.
- Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight). Ali’s portrayal of Juan, a drug dealer who becomes a father figure to young Chiron, was the heart of the film’s first act and made him the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.
- Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis (Fences). This win made Davis the first Black performer to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting" (an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony).
- Best Original Screenplay: Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea).
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight).
The Legacy of the 2017 Academy Awards
Nearly a decade later, the 2017 Oscars are remembered for more than just the "Envelopegate" blunder. They represent a turning point in the Academy's history. The win for Moonlight signaled that the voting body was becoming younger, more diverse, and more willing to embrace challenging, low-budget storytelling over traditional studio spectacles.
Furthermore, the 2017 nominees reflected a deep social consciousness. Films like Hidden Figures and Fences brought marginalized histories to the forefront, while Hell or High Water and Manchester by the Sea captured the economic and emotional struggles of rural and working-class America.
The 89th Academy Awards also marked the beginning of a shift in how the public consumes the Oscars. The viral nature of the Best Picture mix-up demonstrated the power of live television in a social media-driven world, where a single mistake can become a permanent part of the cultural zeitgeist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did La La Land mistakenly get announced as the winner?
The presenters, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, were handed the duplicate envelope for Best Actress (which Emma Stone had just won for La La Land) instead of the Best Picture envelope. Dunaway saw the words "La La Land" on the card and announced it as the winner before Beatty could explain the confusion.
Was the 2017 Best Picture winner decided by a tie?
No, there was no tie. Moonlight was the sole winner of the Best Picture award. The confusion was entirely due to a logistical error in handing out the envelopes, not a tallying issue.
Who was the host of the 2017 Oscars?
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 89th Academy Awards. It was his first time hosting the ceremony, and he was widely praised for his handling of the chaotic ending.
How many Oscars did La La Land win in total?
Despite losing Best Picture, La La Land was the most awarded film of the night, winning six Oscars: Best Director, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("City of Stars"), and Best Production Design.
Which movie had the most nominations in 2017?
La La Land led the field with 14 nominations, tying the all-time record held by All About Eve (1950) and Titanic (1997).
Practical Advice for Film Enthusiasts
For those looking to catch up on this historic year in cinema, many of the 2017 nominees are now considered essential viewing for any student of film. If you are planning a marathon of the 89th Academy Awards nominees, consider starting with the "Big Three": Moonlight, La La Land, and Manchester by the Sea. These films offer the most comprehensive look at the artistic trends that dominated the mid-2010s.
Additionally, for those interested in the technical side of filmmaking, Arrival and Hacksaw Ridge provide excellent case studies in sound design and editing. Most of these titles are readily available on major streaming platforms or through digital rental services as of 2026.
