La La Land captured widespread attention at the 89th Academy Awards, becoming one of the most discussed films in recent Oscar history. Below is a detailed look at the specific awards it won and the context around its historic night.
This article breaks down the major wins, key categories, and common questions to help readers quickly understand how La La Land performed at the Oscars.
| Film | Oscars Won | Oscars Nominated | Most Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| La La Land | 6 | 14 | Best Director, Best Actress, Best Cinematography |
| Moonlight | 3 | 8 | Best Picture |
| Argo | 3 | 7 | Best Picture |
| The Shape of Water | 4 | 13 | Best Picture, Best Director |
Oscars Night Highlights for La La Land
Record-Breaking Drama in Award History
During the 2017 ceremony, La La Land was incorrectly announced as Best Picture due to a miscommunication. The error created one of the most memorable moments in Oscars history, though the film still secured six competitive awards on the night.
Major Awards and Technical Wins
Key Competitive Categories
Beyond the headline-grabbing Best Picture mix-up, La La Land earned wins in major creative and technical fields. These Oscars recognized excellence in direction, performance, and filmmaking craft.
| Category | Winner | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Director | Damien Chazelle | Director | First person born in the 1980s to win Best Director |
| Best Actress | Emma Stone | Mia Dolan | Second competitive Oscar for Stone |
| Best Cinematography | Linus Sandgren | Cinematographer | Celebrated for vibrant, musical long takes |
| Best Original Score | Justin Hurwitz | Composer | Highlighted the film’s emotional and rhythmic drive |
| Best Original Song | City of Stars | Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul | One of two Oscars for the soundtrack |
Context of the Historic Mix-Up
How La La Land and Moonlight Shared the Spotlight
The announcement error briefly awarded the Best Picture Oscar to La La Land, which had been leading in predictions and early returns. After the confusion was resolved, Moonlight was declared the rightful winner, but La La Land’s six competitive Oscars affirmed its significant impact on that awards season.
Performance Compared to Other Films
Achievements at the 89th Academy Awards
With 14 nominations, La La Land tied the record for most nominations in a single year at that time. Its six wins placed it among the top-performing films of the ceremony, despite losing Best Picture to Moonlight.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many Oscars did La La Land win at the 89th Academy Awards?
La La Land won six Oscars at the 89th Academy Awards.
Which categories did La La Land win at the Oscars?
It won Best Director, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and two Oscars for Best Original Song.
Was La La Land ever announced as Best Picture?
Yes, during the ceremony it was briefly announced as Best Picture due to a tallying error before Moonlight was corrected as the winner.