Oscars in Order Trivia Quiz

The Academy Awards, known as the Oscars, were first presented on 16 May 1929 at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. The idea came from Louis B. Mayer, the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). He wanted to create an organisation that would unite the film industry, improve its image and resolve labour disputes. In 1927, he and other Hollywood figures founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). The Oscars became one of the Academy's first major projects, celebrating the finest achievements in filmmaking.

The 1929 Oscars were awarded for Outstanding Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Adapted Screenplay for films made in 1927 and 1928. The first Outstanding Picture Oscar winner was "Wings", a silent film about World War I fighter pilots. "Wings" was notable for its impressive aerial combat sequences and strong storytelling.

Over the years, the name of the category changed a little, finally becoming Best Picture in 1962. Some of the most famous winners include "Ben-Hur" (1959), "Titanic" (1997) and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003). Each of these films has won 11 Oscars. Note: Throughout this entire quiz, the years in brackets refer to the ceremony year, not the year of the film's release.

Another early award was Best Sound, introduced at the 1930 Oscars. The category was created because movies had recently moved from silent films to "talkies" with sound, starting with "The Jazz Singer" in 1927. The first winner was "The Big House", a prison drama known for its realistic and dramatic sound effects.

Originally called Best Sound Recording, the category later became Best Sound Mixing. In 2021, it was merged with Best Sound Editing to form a single Best Sound category. Notable winners include "West Side Story" (1961), "Star Wars" (1977) and "Inception" (2010), which demonstrated the increasing importance of sound to the cinematic experience.

The Best Animated Short Film category was introduced in 1932. From 1932 until 1970, the category was known as Short Subjects, Cartoons; and from 1971 to 1973 as Short Subjects, Animated Films. It honours short films that use animation, a style that was gaining popularity in the early Oscar years thanks to Walt Disney and his groundbreaking work with Mickey Mouse. The first winner in this category was Disney's "Flowers and Trees", a charming short film that was also the first to use full-colour three-strip Technicolor. This new technology gave animation bright, vibrant colours, impressing audiences and critics alike.

Over the years, Disney became the dominant force in the category, winning regularly with classics such as "The Three Little Pigs" (1933) and "The Old Mill" (1937). While Disney remains a strong contender, the award has also celebrated innovative work from other studios. Aardman Animations' "Wallace & Gromit", for example, has won several times with its unique stop-motion style. This category continues to honour creativity and innovation in animation, often giving smaller studios a chance to shine alongside industry giants.

The Best Original Song category was first awarded in 1935. It was created to recognise original songs written specifically for motion pictures, celebrating both the music and the lyrics. The first winner was "The Continental" from the film "The Gay Divorcee". The song was performed by Ginger Rogers and featured an elaborate dance sequence that helped make it memorable.

Over the years, this category has highlighted some iconic film songs. Classics such as "Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) and "My Heart Will Go On" from "Titanic" (1997) have both won. Disney has also been a strong contender, with animated hits such as "The Little Mermaid", "The Lion King" and "Frozen". The category remains popular because it often features songs that become hits outside the world of film, blending cinema and popular culture.

The categories of Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress were both introduced in 1937. Previously, only leading roles were honoured, but the Academy wanted to recognise the valuable contributions of actors and actresses in smaller but significant roles. The first Best Supporting Actor award went to Walter Brennan for his role as Swan Bostrom in "Come and Get It". Brennan portrayed a humble and hardworking lumberjack, and his performance impressed audiences with its warmth and authenticity. Brennan went on to win this category two more times, becoming the first actor to win three Best Supporting Actor Oscars.

In the same year, Gale Sondergaard became the inaugural Best Supporting Actress winner for her role in "Anthony Adverse". Her portrayal of the scheming and mysterious Faith Paleologus was a subtle and complex performance. Since then, many actresses have made their mark in this category, including Meryl Streep, who won for "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979), and Dianne Wiest, who won twice for Woody Allen films: "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986) and "Bullets over Broadway" (1994).

The Best Original Screenplay category was first awarded in 1941 to recognise writers who wrote unique stories directly for the screen, rather than adapting existing works. Previously, the Academy had only awarded adapted screenplays, but with the rise of innovative storytelling, they wanted to honour fresh, original ideas. It remains an important category for recognising creativity and originality in filmmaking.

The first winner was Preston Sturges for "The Great McGinty", a sharp political satire about a tramp who rises through corruption to become governor, only to find redemption. Over the years, the category has celebrated many talented screenwriters and creative voices. Woody Allen has won this Oscar three times for "Annie Hall" (1977), "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986) and "Midnight in Paris" (2011). The award has also recognised groundbreaking work from diverse voices, including Jordan Peele, who won in 2017 for "Get Out", becoming the first African-American to win in the category.

The Best Documentary Short Film category was first awarded in 1942 to recognise outstanding documentaries in the short form. It was part of the Academy's efforts to highlight the importance of non-fiction filmmaking, particularly during the Second World War, when documentaries played a vital role in informing and inspiring audiences. The first winner was "Churchill's Island", a Canadian wartime documentary about Britain's defence against Nazi Germany.

In its early years, the category often featured government-produced war documentaries, but over time, it expanded to include a wide range of subjects, from social issues to personal stories. Notable winners include "Twin Towers" (2002), a tribute to 9/11 first responders, and "The White Helmets" (2016), which followed rescue workers in war-torn Syria.

While traditionally dominated by serious, issue-driven films, the category has also seen more personal and artistic storytelling in recent years. With streaming platforms expanding access to short documentaries, the competition has become more diverse, bringing global stories to a wider audience.

The Best Costume Design category was introduced in 1949 to honour the art of costume design. The Academy recognised the important role that costumes play in storytelling, from historical accuracy to enhancing a character's personality. In its inaugural year, the award was split into two categories: Best Costume Design in Black and White and Best Costume Design in Color. The first winners were Roger K. Furse for "Hamlet" (black and white) and Dorothy Jeakins and Barbara Karinska for "Joan of Arc" (colour).

The split format continued until 1967, when the categories were merged into a single award. Over the years, legendary designers such as Edith Head, who won eight Oscars, and Colleen Atwood, known for her collaborations with Tim Burton, have become iconic figures in the field. The category often celebrates films with elaborate period or fantasy costumes, such as "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Mad Max: Fury Road".

The Best Makeup and Hairstyling category was introduced in 1981 to recognise outstanding work in transforming actors through makeup, prosthetics and hairstyling. This category honours the artists who use their craft to support storytelling, whether by creating realistic wounds, fantastical creatures or subtle changes that enhance a character's presence on screen.

Previously, there had been no regular award for makeup, although the Academy had occasionally presented honorary awards for excellence in the field. The new category was created after the controversy surrounding "The Elephant Man", which featured remarkable make-up effects but received no recognition. The first official winner was Rick Baker, honoured for his groundbreaking transformation scenes in "An American Werewolf in London".

Rick Baker went on to win the category seven times, making him the most decorated artist in this field. The category has celebrated a wide range of achievements, from the realistic ageing effects in "Amadeus" (1984) to the fantastical creatures in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (2005).

The Best Animated Feature category was introduced in 2002 in recognition of the growing importance and popularity of animated films. The award highlights not only traditional animation but also computer-generated and stop-motion techniques.

Previously, animated films could only compete in broader categories such as Best Picture, but the success of films such as "Beauty and the Beast", which was nominated for Best Picture in 1992, demonstrated the need for a dedicated award. The first Best Animated Feature winner was "Shrek", a witty and innovative film that showed how animation could appeal to both children and adults.

Since its inception, the category has been dominated by major studios such as Pixar, Disney and DreamWorks. Pixar in particular has been a standout with multiple wins for films such as "Finding Nemo" (2003), "Up" (2009) and "Soul" (2020). Disney's "Frozen" (2013) and "Zootopia" (2016) were also critical and commercial successes.