By Zach Johnson
The stars were shining bright inside the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Oscars® Sunday. The ABC broadcast was filled with unforgettable moments, including many that were distinctly Disney. From inspirational acceptance speeches to show-stopping Encanto performances, it was a night movie fans will be talking about for years to come! Relive the magic as we recount seven Disney moments from the show:
1. The Walt Disney Company Wins Six Academy Awards®
The Eyes of Tammy Faye picked up two trophies, while Cruella, Encanto, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), and West Side Story won one apiece. Watch West Side Story star Ariana DeBose’s inspirational acceptance speech above and click here for a full breakdown of each of the Company’s Oscar wins.
2. Encanto Takes Center Stage
Sebastián Yatra gave the crowd butterflies with his performance of Encanto’s “Dos Oruguitas,” nominated for Best Original Song. Introduced by Stephanie Beatriz (voice of Mirabel Madrigal), Yatra wore a suit adorned with butterflies as Kai Martinez, the film’s animation reference consultant, and Cesar Augusto Diaz—danced around him.
Midway through the show, Encanto cast members Adassa, Beatriz, Mauro Castillo, Carolina Gaitán, and Diane Guerrero, along with Becky G and Luis Fonsi, performed the No. 1 hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” marking the first live performance of the song written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. To everyone’s surprise, Megan Thee Stallion added a rap verse to the viral hit, proving that we do, in fact, want to talk about Bruno!
3. Chris Evans Takes Us to Infinity… and Beyond
After the award was handed out for Best Supporting Actor, Chris Evans—voice of Buzz Lightyear in Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear—shared a new look at the film, opening in theaters and in IMAX® on June 17. (Click here to watch the preview on Twitter, and don’t forget to follow the film’s account!) Directed by Angus MacLane, the film’s voice cast also includes Uzo Aduba, Josh Brolin, Keke Palmer, Peter Sohn, and Taika Waititi.
4. It’s a Disney Princess Party
Oscar viewers received a royal treat when a trio of actresses who’ve played Disney Princesses in live-action films—Lily James (Cinderella in 2015’s Cinderella), Naomi Scott (Jasmine in 2019’s Aladdin), and Halle Bailey (Ariel in 2023’s The Little Mermaid)—joined forces to present Encanto with the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
5. Beloved Disney and Fox Casts Reunite
Speaking of inspired presenter pairings, casts from previous Oscar-winning films teamed up throughout the show. First up were Woody Harrelson, Rosie Perez, and Wesley Snipes, stars of 20th Century Fox’s White Men Can’t Jump, who presented the award for Best Cinematography. They were followed soon after by Black Panther’s Ruth E. Carter and Lupita Nyong’o, who presented the Oscar for Best Costume Design—the very same award Carter took home in 2019, making history as the first Black woman to ever win in that category. A little later in the show, Jennifer Garner, Elliot Page, and J.K. Simmons, stars of Fox Searchlight Pictures’ Juno, presented the award for Best Original Screenplay (which Juno’s Diablo Cody won in 2008). Rounding out the reunions, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and John Travolta, stars of Miramax’s Pulp Fiction, riffed on their film’s ambiguous ending before giving out the Best Actor award.
6. Hulu Previews New Series and Seasons
The streamer shared a first look at the second season of its acclaimed comedy series Only Murders in the Building, featuring glimpses of new characters played by Cara Delevingne and Oscar co-host Amy Schumer. Starring Disney Legend Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building will return on June 28.
Hulu also shared new looks at two upcoming titles. The Kardashians, streaming April 14, is a new reality series starring Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner. Candy, streaming May 9, is a limited series starring Jessica Biel and Melanie Lynskey. Billed as a five-night event, Candy features Timothy Simons, Pablo Schreiber, and Raúl Esparza in supporting roles.
7. “In Memoriam” Honors the Lives of Two Disney Legends
Two Disney Legends who passed away in 2021, Ruthie Tompson and Betty White, were honored during the televised “In Memoriam” segment, with Jamie Lee Curtis paying special tribute to White, her co-star in Touchstone’s You Again (2011). As The Golden Girls theme song played in the background, Curtis noted that White “brightened every room she walked into and brought a smile to the faces of all who watched her on the screen.” She also encouraged White’s fans to open their hearts and their homes to a rescue dog from Paw Works, as White was a noted animal welfare advocate. “Thank you, Betty,” she concluded. “Thank you for being a friend to us all.”
