Donna Langley thanks the team after Oppenheimer and the Holdovers win.

After celebrating on Monday Universal’s Oscar win, led by Christopher Nolan OppenheimerDonna Langley sent a congratulatory message thanking all of her team members who helped make the victory possible.

Oppenheimer It took home seven awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (a first for Nolan), while Focus Features took home Retainers She won Best Supporting Actress for Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s performance. The evening was a big win for Langley, who had lured Nolan to the studio after parting ways with Warner Bros. and bet on his R-rated biopic.

“I hope you still enjoyed what we accomplished last night. A total of eight Academy Awards wins for Universal and Focus Features! It was a painful moment for us, well, eight painful moments. In the past year, Universal’s longtime film boss has dramatically expanded her power base Big when she was hired as chief content officer at NBCUniversal.

Oppenheimerwhich has grossed nearly $960 million globally, upended the traditional order Sunday night when it won Best Picture, making it the highest-grossing Best Picture winner since then. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King In 2004. Oppenheimer It was also the first Best Picture winner in over a decade to earn over $100 million at the domestic box office since Ben Afek’s film. Argo, which grossed $136 million domestically and $232.3 million worldwide. In her memoir, Langley recalled meeting Nolan and Emma Thomas, his wife and producing partner.

“It all started with a visit to Chris and Emma’s house in 2021. Read the script for Oppenheimer “In Chris’s office, I was fascinated by one of the most poignant moments in history that has great resonance today,” Langely wrote. “Soon after, our entire film group — and the entire company — rallied around this piece. From production to marketing to distribution, from MSNBC to Peacock to our entire effort at Symphony, our teams came together to share this story and show what makes this company unique.”

Oppenheimer Nolan handed out his first Oscar, matching Universal’s record of seven Oscars for a single film (tied with… Outside Africa, Schindler’s List And sting).

For Universal, winning Best Picture is a return to the podium after taking that honor Green book Five years ago. The last time a studio won Best Picture twice in just five years was for sting In 1974 and Deer hunter in 1979. It is also now the only legacy studio to win Best Picture in the past decade. And – interesting fact – Oppenheimer It became the first film to win Academy Awards for Picture, Actor, and Supporting Actor since then Ben Hur 64 years ago.

“Even though the partying is over, I’m not done celebrating with all of you. First, a special thank you to the teams at Universal and Focus who expertly navigated a complex and competitive awards season. “Even with the added pressures and unexpected challenges, you have managed this marathon flawlessly They didn’t stop until we reached the finish line.”

She continued, writing: “As we widen the aperture to consider all we celebrate — from the greatest sagas to artistic features to beloved anime and franchises — this weekend is bigger than a win; it shows what we do best. Thanks to you, thanks to all With all your hard work, we have become home to forward-thinking films and filmmakers whose work resonates with audiences around the world. Congratulations on this historic achievement. It is an honor to work alongside each and every one of you. Please take a moment to enjoy this moment “

Read Langley’s note in full below:

I hope you’re still enjoying what we accomplished last night.

A total of eight Academy Award wins for Universal and Focus Features! It was a pinch moment for us – well, eight pinch moments for me.

Even though the parties are over, I’m not done celebrating with all of you.

First, a special thank you to the teams at Universal and Focus who expertly navigated a complex and competitive awards season. Despite the added stress and unexpected challenges, I ran this marathon flawlessly and didn’t stop until we reached the finish line.

Last night was the culmination of all your work, a journey that began long before premieres, press tours, after-parties or after-parties.

It all starts with a visit to Chris and Emma’s home in 2021. Read the script for Oppenheimer In Chris’s office, I was fascinated by one of the most poignant moments in history that has great resonance today. Soon after, our entire film group — and the entire company — rallied around this piece. From production to marketing to distribution, from MSNBC to Peacock to our entire effort at Symphony, our teams have come together to share this story and show what makes this company unique.

We’re also fortunate to celebrate not just one, but two Academy Award-winning films this morning.

For the Focus team, you are still the best at what you do – to find those deeply human stories that leave huge marks on our hearts like… Retainersand make us want to send thank you notes to our favorite teachers.

While this weekend was a celebration of what we achieved in 2023, it’s also another moment to get excited about 2024. Look no further than DreamWorks’ spectacular opening weekend Kung Fu Panda 4 which opened at number one at the domestic box office with $58 million and has grossed $81.7 million globally to date. The exceptional team at DreamWorks has revitalized one of its most iconic characters behind the incomparable Jack Black, making this the first successful animated film of the year.

When we widen the aperture to consider everything we celebrate — from the greatest sagas to artistic features to beloved anime and franchises — this weekend is bigger than a win; It shows what we do best. Thanks to you, and all your hard work, we’re home to forward-thinking films and filmmakers whose work resonates with audiences around the world.

Congratulations on this historic achievement. It is an honor to work alongside each and every one of you. Please take some time to enjoy this moment!

With gratitude, Donna