Christopher Nolan wins his first Best Director Oscar for 'Oppenheimer'

Nolan was nominated once before in this category, for 2017's "Dunkirk."
By Belen Edwards  on 
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Christopher Nolan with statues for Best Picture and Best Director at the 96th Academy Awards.
Christopher Nolan with his Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director at the 96th Academy Awards. Credit: Photo by Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images

Christopher Nolan fans, the time has finally come: Nolan has won his first-ever Best Director Oscar for Oppenheimer.

Nolan has been nominated for a total of eight Academy Awards over the course of his career, including Best Director for Dunkirk; Best Original Screenplay for Memento and Inception; Best Adapted Screenplay for Oppenheimer; and Best Picture for Oppenheimer, Dunkirk, and Inception. Tonight's Oscar marks his first win.

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In addition to the Oscar, Nolan picked up a number of major Best Director awards this year, including the Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics Choice Award, and DGA Award. His winning Best Director continues a banner night for Oppenheimer at the Oscars, which includes Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy.

How to watch: Oppenheimer is now streaming on Peacock.

Topics Film Oscars

A woman in a white sweater with shoulder-length brown hair.
Belen Edwards
Entertainment Reporter

Belen Edwards is an Entertainment Reporter at Mashable. She covers movies and TV with a focus on fantasy and science fiction, adaptations, animation, and more nerdy goodness.


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