Think You Know The Academy Awards? Take This Quiz And See If You Can Win 'Most Answers'!

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Academy Awards Quiz Questions

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Question 1

And I present to you the O.G. emcee. Who was the host of the first televised Oscars?

  • A
    Johnny Carson
  • B
    Bill Murray
  • C
    Bob Hope
  • D
    Jerry Lewis

Question 2

2010 saw two 3D films nominated for Best Picture – the first time a 3D picture was ever nominated. Name those films.

  • A
    Avatar and Up
  • B
    Hugo and Life of Pi
  • C
    Up and Hugo
  • D
    Life of Pi and Gravity

Question 3

Known for When Harry Met Sally, what beloved Oscar host is second only to Bob Hope in the number of times he's emceed?

  • A
    Billy Crystal
  • B
    Charlton Heston
  • C
    Fred Astaire
  • D
    Douglas Fairbanks

Question 4

This host is a class act. What favorite SNL cast member and "Father of the Bride" has taken to the Oscars stage solo twice?

  • A
    James Stewart
  • B
    Hugh Jackman
  • C
    Frank Sinatra
  • D
    Steve Martin

Question 5

This performer was succinct. What is the shortest acceptance speech made by an actor/actress in Oscar history?

  • A
    "I want to thank the Academy."
  • B
    "Gracias"
  • C
    "Thanks, Mom."
  • D
    "Thank you."

Question 6

Some past winners of this category include Renee Zellweger, Olivia Colman, and Meryl Streep (of course).

  • A
    Best Cinematography
  • B
    Best Actress
  • C
    Best Picture
  • D
    Best Supporting Actress

Question 7

This five-time Oscar host is one of the most beloved Tonight Show hosts of all time. Name that "King of Late Night".

  • A
    Jay Leno
  • B
    Johnny Carson
  • C
    Conan O'Brien
  • D
    Jimmy Fallon

Question 8

The Oscars were black-and-white until 1940, when this film won Best Picture, becoming the first color film to do so.

  • A
    La La Land
  • B
    Gone with the Wind
  • C
    A Star is Born
  • D
    The Wizard of Oz

Question 9

This one's dirty. What was the first – and only – X-rated film to win a Best Picture Oscar?

  • A
    Midnight Cowboy
  • B
    When Harry Met Sally
  • C
    Requiem for a Dream
  • D
    Showgirls

Question 10

To qualify for this category, the film must be 40 minutes or less and be based on true stories. "A Love Song for Latasha" is one example.

  • A
    Best Animated Short
  • B
    Best Documentary Film
  • C
    Best Live-Action Short
  • D
    Best Documentary Short

Question 11

The host of a self-named daytime show, which Oscar emcee broke the internet with her Tweet heard round the world?

  • A
    Ellen DeGeneres
  • B
    Jane Fonda
  • C
    Whoopi Goldberg
  • D
    Goldie Hawn

Question 12

Winners of this category know what stays and what should be left on the cutting room floor. Winners include Bohemian Rhapsody, Whiplash, and Argo.

  • A
    Best Software Designer
  • B
    Best Director
  • C
    Best Editing
  • D
    Best Production Design

Question 13

Known as Wolverine and for The Greatest Showman, what musical actor really lived up to that title, becoming the greatest showman the Oscars has ever seen host?

  • A
    Hugh Grant
  • B
    Hugh Laurie
  • C
    Hugh Jackman
  • D
    Hugh Hefner

Question 14

This one-time host bombed, calling the performance his “single biggest professional embarrassment”. Name that Late Show host.

  • A
    Jack Benny
  • B
    David Letterman
  • C
    Jerry Lewis
  • D
    Chris Rock

Question 15

This Oscars got a little carried away. How long was the longest televised Academy Awards ceremony?

  • A
    3 hours, 47 minutes
  • B
    4 hours, 23 minutes
  • C
    6 hours, 7 minutes
  • D
    2 hours, 59 minutes

Question 16

These sisters have a healthy competition. What sisterly pair have won acting Oscars?

  • A
    Rosanna and Patricia Arquette
  • B
    Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland
  • C
    Kate and Rooney Mara
  • D
    Constance and Joanne Bennett

Question 17

The Academy Awards are judged by specific representatives. Who nominates and votes for Oscar winners?

  • A
    Everyone whose name is Oscar
  • B
    Members of the Academy
  • C
    A panel chosen by the Academy
  • D
    All those in the film industry

Question 18

Sequels rarely live up to the original. Except this one, which became the first to win Best Picture.

  • A
    Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • B
    Toy Story 2
  • C
    The Godfather: Part II
  • D
    The Bourne Ultimatum

Question 19

Who said cartoons aren't Oscar-worthy? Winners of this category include Shrek, Frozen, and Brave.

  • A
    Best Animation
  • B
    Best Animated Short
  • C
    Best Editing
  • D
    Best Animated Feature Film

Question 20

Um, this is a bit awkward...Which actress presented herself with an Oscar, becoming the first presenter to do so?

  • A
    Vivien Leigh
  • B
    Audrey Hepburn
  • C
    Norma Shearer
  • D
    Kate Winslet

Question 21

This film jumped the gun. What Best Picture winner was the first to be released on VHS before winning an Oscar?

  • A
    E.T.
  • B
    Titanic
  • C
    The Silence of the Lambs
  • D
    A Clockwork Orange

Question 22

This host of The Daily Show emceed the Oscars twice and did some gags with his friends, including Stephen Colbert.

  • A
    Steve Martin
  • B
    Alec Baldwin
  • C
    Jon Stewart
  • D
    Trevor Noah

Question 23

Celebrities, they're just like us...Who fell up the stairs on the way to retrieve her Best Actress Oscar?

  • A
    Carey Mulligan
  • B
    Jennifer Lawrence
  • C
    Emma Stone
  • D
    Marcia Clark

Question 24

Beloved as Barney in How I Met Your Mother, this Oscar host cut his teeth on the Grammys and the Emmys. Name that "legen-wait for it-dary" funny man.

  • A
    Johnny Carson
  • B
    Hugh Jackman
  • C
    Neil Patrick Harris
  • D
    John Mulaney

Question 25

Tenth time's the charm. Which actress has the most Oscar nominations without a win?

  • A
    Glenn Close
  • B
    Annette Bening
  • C
    Judi Dench
  • D
    Bette Davis

Question 26

Now, that's what we'd call a "power couple". Aside from Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, what is the only other married couple to both win Oscars?

  • A
    Noah Baumbach & Greta Gerwig
  • B
    Diane Ladd & Bruce Dern
  • C
    Laurence Olivier & Vivien Leigh
  • D
    Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell

Question 27

Which Oscars hashtag was a criticism on the acting nominations?

  • A
    #instagood
  • B
    #OscarsSoWhite
  • C
    #TimesUp
  • D
    #tbt

Question 28

"My Heart Will Go On" is one example of a winner of this category.

  • A
    Best Original Song
  • B
    Best Original Score
  • C
    Best Sound Editing
  • D
    Best Theme Song

Question 29

Walt Disney has taken home 23 Oscars in his time. What was the first animated Disney film to win an Oscar?

  • A
    Pinocchio
  • B
    Pocahontas
  • C
    The Lion King
  • D
    Mulan

Question 30

Meryl Streep is the most nominated actress of all time. Out of 21 nominations, she's won three Oscars. Which movie did she NOT win for?

  • A
    Julie and Julia
  • B
    The Iron Lady
  • C
    Sophie's Choice
  • D
    Kramer vs. Kramer

Question 31

Hosting or co-hosting 19 times, he was the most prolific host in Academy Awards history. Name that venerated comedian.

  • A
    David Letterman
  • B
    Johnny Carson
  • C
    Bob Hope
  • D
    Billy Crystal

Question 32

Once upon a time...the first Academy Awards were held here.

  • A
    Hollywood Pantages Theatre
  • B
    Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
  • C
    Dolby Theatre
  • D
    The Orpheum Theatre

Question 33

Sometimes, Oscar-winning is in the genes. What two families have three generations of Oscars under their belt?

  • A
    Coppola & Huston Families
  • B
    Arquette & Coppola Families
  • C
    Bridges & Arquette Families
  • D
    Huston & Bridges Families

Question 34

Hollywood isn't the only place where the magic happens. What was the first non-Hollywood film to win Best Picture?

  • A
    Hamlet
  • B
    Life is Beautiful
  • C
    Amelie
  • D
    Madame Rosa

Question 35

Originally known under the title, "Best Engineering Effects," this category is a sight for sore eyes. Past winners include Inception, Life of Pi, and The Jungle Book.

  • A
    Best Animated Feature Film
  • B
    Best Engineering Direction
  • C
    Best Cinematography
  • D
    Best Visual Effects

Question 36

Having been nominated in all four acting categories, what was the first film to win three Oscars for acting?

  • A
    Gone with the Wind
  • B
    Casablanca
  • C
    A Streetcar Named Desire
  • D
    The Usual Suspects

Question 37

"Thanks, but no thanks." Who did Marlon Brando send in his place to refuse his Oscar for The Godfather?

  • A
    Robert DeNiro
  • B
    Al Pacino
  • C
    Sacheen Littlefeather
  • D
    Rob Lowe

Question 38

This two-time host was the unfortunate emcee when the Best Picture flub occurred...and he made a ton of Matt Damon jokes. Name that Live late-nighter.

  • A
    Jimmy Fallon
  • B
    Ben Affleck
  • C
    Jimmy Kimmel
  • D
    Jimmy Stewart

Question 39

While many may be vying to win an Oscar, some nominees refuse theirs. Which of the following did NOT refuse their Oscar?

  • A
    George C. Scott
  • B
    Humphrey Bogart
  • C
    Dudley Nichols
  • D
    Marlon Brando

Question 40

This woman's multitalented. Who is the only person to have won Oscars for best acting AND writing?

  • A
    Nicole Kidman
  • B
    Emma Thompson
  • C
    Helen Mirren
  • D
    Olivia Colman

Question 41

This man made all the Oscars proud when he became the first "Oscar" to win an Oscar.

  • A
    Oscar Wilde
  • B
    Oscar Niemeyer
  • C
    Oscar Peterson
  • D
    Oscar Hammerstein

Question 42

Roll out the red carpet! When was the iconic carpet introduced to the Academy Awards?

  • A
    1987
  • B
    1961
  • C
    1943
  • D
    2002

Question 43

The emcee has been absent on occasion. Which of the following Academy Awards ceremonies were hostless?

  • A
    2019 and 2020
  • B
    1976 and 2020
  • C
    1953 and 2020
  • D
    2018 and 2019

Question 44

One for the money, two for the show...Who was the first actor to win consecutive Oscars two years running?

  • A
    Paul Newman
  • B
    Clark Gable
  • C
    Luise Rainer
  • D
    Cary Grant

Question 45

The televised Academy Awards have jumped around. Which network was the first to broadcast them?

  • A
    CBS
  • B
    ABC
  • C
    NBC
  • D
    TCM

Question 46

This female director broke the glass ceiling with her picture, The Hurt Locker. Name this trailblazing Oscar-winner.

  • A
    Kathryn Bigelow
  • B
    Greta Gerwig
  • C
    Sofia Coppola
  • D
    Jane Campion

Question 47

This dress made many a fashion list...usually for negative reasons. Who wore this iconic swan dress on the red carpet?

  • A
    Bjork
  • B
    Charlize Theron
  • C
    Jennifer Lopez
  • D
    Enya

Question 48

These blood bros are favored for the golden statue. Who are the only brothers to be nominated for acting Oscars?

  • A
    Luke and Owen Wilson
  • B
    River and Joaquin Phoenix
  • C
    Ben and Casey Affleck
  • D
    Alexander and Bill Skarsgard

Question 49

In 2019, recent history saw the first non-English film receive Best Picture. Name that foreign film.

  • A
    Pan's Labyrinth
  • B
    Roma
  • C
    Life is Beautiful
  • D
    Parasite

Question 50

At twelve minutes of clapping, who received the longest standing ovation in Oscar history?

  • A
    Charlie Chaplin
  • B
    Tom Cruise
  • C
    Bob Hope
  • D
    Paul Newman

Question 51

In one of the oddest Oscar pairings, this host joined Anne Hathaway in bombing in 2011.

  • A
    James Franco
  • B
    Seth Rogen
  • C
    Shia LaBeouf
  • D
    Neil Patrick Harris

Question 52

This four-time Oscar host is, herself, an EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) – one of only sixteen people with that claim to fame.

  • A
    Agnes Moorehead
  • B
    Anne Hathaway
  • C
    Whoopi Goldberg
  • D
    Shirley MacLaine

Question 53

What actor accidentally outed his high school drama teacher in his acceptance speech?

  • A
    Sean Penn
  • B
    Tom Hanks
  • C
    Mark Ruffalo
  • D
    Mark Twain

Question 54

Let's get this show on the road! Which Academy Awards ceremony was the first to be televised?

  • A
    40th Academy Awards
  • B
    25th Academy Awards
  • C
    30th Academy Awards
  • D
    15th Academy Awards

Question 55

"I want to thank the Academy..." When was the first Academy Awards ceremony held?

  • A
    1973
  • B
    1956
  • C
    1929
  • D
    1934

Question 56

Finally, the Oscars made their way around the globe. When were the Academy Awards first televised internationally?

  • A
    1993
  • B
    1969
  • C
    1983
  • D
    1975

Question 57

Today, there are 24 Oscar categories; in the beginning, there were 12. What is NOT one of the original categories?

  • A
    Visual Effects
  • B
    Most Artistic or Unique Production
  • C
    Title Writing
  • D
    Original Story Writing

Question 58

The manuscript for Spotlight is an example of one of these.

  • A
    Best Script
  • B
    Best Adapted Screenplay
  • C
    Best Animated Short
  • D
    Best Original Screenplay

Question 59

Three films took home 11 prizes each, making them the most successful in Oscar history. What is NOT one of the record-holders?

  • A
    The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
  • B
    Ben Hur
  • C
    Casablanca
  • D
    Titanic

Question 60

This pair of hosts went together like peanut butter and mustard. What co-host (who holds the record for hosting SNL the most times) joined Steve Martin in 2010?

  • A
    Johnny Carson
  • B
    Martin Short
  • C
    Bob Hope
  • D
    Alec Baldwin

Question 61

Which two-time Oscar host and SNL alum laid into Jude Law, and later in the show, was told off by Sean Penn?

  • A
    Seth MacFarlane
  • B
    Kevin Hart
  • C
    Richard Pryor
  • D
    Chris Rock

Question 62

Five actors have won back-to-back Academy Awards... show-offs. Which actor did NOT nab consecutive Oscars?

  • A
    Tom Hanks
  • B
    Spencer Tracy
  • C
    Cate Blanchett
  • D
    Katharine Hepburn

Question 63

While some have also won three acting awards, who is the only actor to have won three Best Actor Oscars?

  • A
    Jack Nicholson
  • B
    Laurence Olivier
  • C
    Daniel Day-Lewis
  • D
    Spencer Tracy

Question 64

TWO different directors were awarded in the same year twice in Academy history. Which director is NOT amongst them?

  • A
    Jerome Robbins
  • B
    Ethan Coen
  • C
    Steven Speilberg
  • D
    Robert Wise

Question 65

Three candidates have won Oscars for both Best Actor and Best Picture. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

  • A
    Liam Neeson
  • B
    Michael Douglas
  • C
    Brad Pitt
  • D
    George Clooney

Question 66

Some people have all the talent...Who was the first person to receive an award for both writing and directing – and for what film?

  • A
    Orson Welles for Citizen Kane
  • B
    Wes Anderson for The Grand Budapest Hotel
  • C
    Woody Allen for Annie Hall
  • D
    Leo McCarey for Going My Way

Question 67

This actress has had a long and storied career. Who's been nominated for a single award for four consecutive decades?

  • A
    Jane Fonda
  • B
    Diane Keaton
  • C
    Jodie Foster
  • D
    Meryl Streep

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