Hollywood is flipping out for a new Oscars category.
The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the annual Academy Awards, announced April 10 that a new trophy celebrating Achievement in Stunt Design will be handed out to action stunt teams beginning with the organization’s 100th ceremony in 2028.
“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in the joint statement. “We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion.”
The stunt category is the newest category addition to the Oscars since last year’s Achievement in Casting, which will award its first prize at next year’s event. The Academy announced that eligibility and voting rules will be unveiled in 2027.
Following the golden news, many stunt professionals celebrated the Academy’s recognition of their work, including David Leitch, who began his Hollywood career as a stunt performer before becoming a director and producer on films including The Fall Guy and John Wick. (In fact, he and fellow stuntman Chris O’Hara played a major role in creating the new category by making multiple presentations to the Board of Governors ahead of its approval.)
“This has been a journey for so many of us!” Leitch wrote on Instagram April 10. “[O’Hara] and myself have invested several years into this. We built on the work of all the stunt designers who fought so hard for this in the past over the past decades. We are very grateful.”
President of the Stuntmen’s Association Jeff Wolfe also rejoiced at what he described as “a historic moment for our community.”
“I can’t express enough how thrilled and proud we are to see the Academy recognize the art and craft of stunt action design with its own Oscar category,” he said in a statement to Variety. “For decades, stunt performers, coordinators, and action designers have played a crucial role in shaping the cinematic experience, often putting their bodies on the line to bring unforgettable moments to the screen.”
He continued, “This recognition validates the passion, innovation, creativity and hard work that go into every fall, fight, and fireball. It’s not just a win for our industry—it’s a win for storytelling.”
While you get excited for the 100th Academy Awards in 2028, read on to look back at the moments you may have missed from this year’s 2025 Oscars.
Adrien Brody and Halle Berry Have an Amorous Red Carpet Reunion
Twenty-two years after Adrien Brody so memorably thanked presenter Halle Berry when he won his first Best Actor statue for The Pianist, he returned as a nominee for The Brutalist and she was prepared.
Wicked‘s Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Congratulate Each Other on a Job Well Done
No question, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are changed for good after starring in Wicked. The costars opened the 2025 Oscars with a medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, “Home” from The Wiz and their own film’s biggest banger, “Defying Gravity.”
Demi Moore & Whoopi Goldberg Have a Ghost Reunion
“Molly, you in danger, girl!” The Ghost co-stars reunite on the red carpet at the 2025 Academy Awards.
Host Conan O’Brien’s Gift for the Real VIPs
Stars and the ever-important attendees who served as seat fillers when the A-listers got up to go do stuff were treated to these gifts from host Conan O’Brien.
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Sneak a Kiss
Best Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet hasn’t been coy about who his main squeeze is like some young actors, bringing Kylie Jenner as his date to the 2025 Oscars.
Colman Domingo Keeps the Party Going
Best Actor nominee Colman Domingo starred in Sing Sing and started a dance-dance revolution during a commercial break, encouraging the audience to keep it moving.
Best Supporting Actor Winner Kieran Culkin Enjoys His Victory With Robert Downey Jr.
Noting in his Best Supporting Actor speech that the honor meant a particular lot coming from presenter Robert Downey Jr., A Real Pain star Kieran Culkin enjoyed his moment with last year’s winner backstage.
Meg Ryan and Best Actress Nominee Demi Moore Have an Emotional Moment
DemiMoore, a first-time Oscar nominee for The Substance, was relishing her moment with fellow veteran star Meg Ryan earlier in the evening.
Alas, Moore’s awards season accolades stopped short of Oscar night, Anora‘s Mikey Madison pulling off the Best Actress upset.
2025 Best Actor Nominees, Assemble!
Best Actor nominees TimothéeChalamet, Colman Domingo, Adrien Brody, Ralph Fiennes and Sebastian Stan proved it’s all love, even among competitors in the same category.
Samuel L. Jackson and Selena Gomez Snap a Selfie
Past nominee Samuel L. Jackson and Emilia Pérez star Selena Gomez, paired to present Oscars for Best Documentary Short and Documentary Feature, made sure to capture the moment for posterity.
Best Supporting Actress Winner Zoe Saldaña Tunes in Backstage
Emilia Pérez star Zoe Saldaña, waiting backstage to present the Oscar for cinematography, caught Sterling K. Brown and Ana de Armas presenting Best Live Action Short to I’m Not a Robot.
Lisa Steals a Quiet Moment Backstage
Before Lisa performed “Live and Let Die” as part of a tribute to the James Bond franchise and producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the Blackpink artist and White Lotus star stopped to collect herself backstage.
Margaret Qualley, Elle Fanning Catch Up Backstage
The Substance‘s Margaret Qualley and A Complete Unknown‘s Elle Fanning weren’t among the nominees but producers found meaty roles for both: Qualley made a slinks surprise appearance in the evening’s James Bond tribute as a dancer, while Fanning helped present Best Costume Design to Wicked‘s Paul Tazewell.
What Did Kieran Culkin Just Tell Ariana Grande?
Ariana Grande, in attendance with Wicked costar and real-life love Ethan Slater, appears to have had her mind blown—but only her boyfriend and Kieran Culkin know for sure.
Halle Berry & Michelle Yeoh
The two Oscar winners and former Bond girls pose for pics together as they arrive for the ceremony.
Oprah Winfrey Celebrates Quincy Jones With Queen Latifah
Entertainment royalty Oprah Winfrey and Queen Latifah joined forces to help honor the late, great Quincy Jones.
Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldana & Kieran Culkin
Cheers! The newly-minted Oscar winners tap their trophies in celebration.
Past Winners Cillian Murphy and Emma Stone Meet Again
Returning to pay it forward, 2024’s Best Actor winner Cillian Murphy and Best Actress Emma Stone had a word up before heading out to present to this year’s respective winners, Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison.
Best Actress Winner Mikey Madison Can’t Stop Smiling
Anora star Mikey Madison flashed the written proof along with her Best Actress Oscar after her surprise win.
Adrien Brody Thinks Billy Crystal Looks Marvelous, Darling
Best Actor winner Brody had an affectionate greeting for revered nine-time Oscars host Billy Crystal, who reunited with When Harry Met Sally costar Meg Ryan to present Best Picture to Anora.
Chrissy Teigen, Selma Blair & Scout
The Cruel Intentions actress’ handsome service dog stole everyone’s hearts at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
