The 93rd Academy Awards were underway on April 25th, 2021, and this intimate ceremony was definitely unlike any before. Of course, every movie buff still got to see the top contenders show up in gorgeous gowns and suits. With 23 Oscars to give out, some winners were certainly more obvious than others.
This year, some categories were neck and neck, and even some that everyone thought was a no-brainer ended up being a bit of a shock. It's time to applaud some wins everyone knew were coming - and reflect on the ones that shocked even the biggest movie fans.
Saw Coming: ing Actor - Daniel Kaluuya
While the lead actor categories were considered close, most people were betting that Daniel Kaluuya's mesmerizing and powerful performance as Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah would take home the win.
For the silver medal, fans pretty much agreed that his co-star, LaKeith Stanfield, was a no-brainer. Of course, with only one Oscar to hand out, it makes sense that Kaluuya reigned victoriously. It was a deserving win for a memorable role.
Surprised Us All: Original Song - "Fight For You"
There were a lot of interesting tracks up for 'Original Song' this year, including an Icelandic ballad from a comedy and a few moving and powerful songs from films about justice and racism.
Most had their bets on "Speak Now" or even "Husavik," but H.E.R.'s performance of "Fight For You," also for Judas the Black Messiah, came from the back of the pack and scored the win. Despite some surprise, no one could be angry about it.
Saw Coming: Animated Feature - Soul
There were some great animated feature films up for this year's award, but there was no movie that was Soul. A love letter to jazz and life, this animated flick made everyone feel wholesome and uplifted.
Soul not only deserved it, but everyone saw it coming. They were happy to let the Oscar go to this Disney flick. Of course, everyone should also get binging the other nominees, like Onward or Wolfwalkers.
Surprised Us All: Adapted Screenplay - The Father
Screenplays are undoubtedly what makes a movie captivating and memorable. And while this might not have been a huge shock, and it was certainly deserved, most film lovers thought that Nomadland would snag this Oscar. The Father is a beautiful and tragic story, so no one watching was upset about this win.
Still, this was one win that many lost out on their personal Oscar pools! This movie definitely deserved some love, and there might have been some huge fans of it that always knew it would win this category.
Saw Coming: ing Actress - Youn Yuh-jung
Not only was Youn Yuh-jung's speech the most wholesome and memorable of the night, but it might also have been one of the most deserved. Fans were pretty certain that this Korean actress would score big with her role in Minari - and they weren't wrong.
This touching, funny, and genuine drama was made even better by her performance as the grandmother, and it honestly wouldn't have been the same without her talent that she brought to the story.
Surprised Us All: Cinematography - Mank
The Oscar for cinematography is definitely one that only true movie fans care about, but really, it's a huge part of what makes a film great. Mank showed up for Oscars night with the most nominations, but viewers weren't sure how many it would actually win.
For this award, many active viewers were probably leaning towards Nomadland or The Trial of the Chicago 7. Yet, Mank came out of nowhere - obviously stunning the Academy with its old-timey and authentic style.
Saw Coming: Director - Chloé Zhao
The Oscar for Best Director was certainly a tough category with a lot of great talents, but there really wasn't a doubt in anyone's mind that Chloé Zhao would come out on top for her stunning and genuine work on Nomadland.
Even with huge competition like David Fincher and Emerald Fennell, there was something unique and captivating about Zhao's directing choices, and it was a no-brainer for all movie fans, knowing that she rightfully would take it home.
Surprised Us All: Leading Actress - s McDormand
This year switched up a long-standing tradition regarding the order of the awards. When the second-last of the night was for Best Actress, watchers at home kind of expected something huge. While s McDormand is undoubtedly a great talent, no one really thought she would come out on top.
While every woman nominated was incredible, fans were certainly thinking it was a toss-up between Viola Davis's powerful performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom or Carey Mulligan's chilling role in Promising Young Woman. However, McDormand pulled out in front for her authentic and mesmerizing character in Nomadland. She's now a three-time Best Actress winner.
Saw Coming: Best Picture - Nomadland
There was a lot of wonderfully different and entertaining movies nominated this year. While none stuck out as lesser than the rest, Nomadland did feel like the front-runner from the very beginning of awards season.
This movie was unlike the rest, with a real, genuine, and heartfelt story complete by real-life people taking on their roles. It was simple, subtle, and moving. With a stunning screenplay and McDormand at the forefront, this movie blew everyone away - and its win certainly didn't.
Surprised Us All: Leading Actor - Anthony Hopkins
This year might have been one of the most shocking and confusing endings in Academy Awards history. Chadwick Boseman has been leading the awards season for his role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and he was certainly the front-runner going into the night. Plus, after a sudden change of the traditional order of the awards, fans were convinced the show would end with his win.
To everyone's shock, though, the winner was announced - and Anthony Hopkins was the recipient of Oscar for Best Actor. This was a win that, sincerely, practically no one saw coming. However, there isn't a doubt in anyone's mind that Hopkins gave the performance of a lifetime in The Father. On top of that, he graciously thanked Chadwick Boseman in a speech the following day.
