Nowadays, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon—the annual event for the year’s Academy Award contenders, where a formal group photo is always taken—is just another glitzy stop on the awards season campaign trail; yet another opportunity for polished method dressing and relentless glad-handing. Not so, however, in the ’80s, ’90s, and early aughts. Back then, the likes of Steven Spielberg, Whoopi Goldberg, River Phoenix, and Frances McDormand would show up in jeans rather than crisp tailoring; Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow in plush knitwear rather than show-stopping ballgowns; and Sofia Coppola in the minimalist, pared-back separates that have always been her signature. Most attendees went makeup-free, wore flats, donned sunglasses, carried their own bags on the low-key step-and-repeat (shocking, I know), and just didn’t seem to take the whole thing all that seriously. In short, it was a whole other world.
In honor of the 2026 Oscar nominees luncheon on February 10, revisit the event’s refreshingly casual heyday below.
Photo: Getty Images1/221986
The year she was nominated for best actress for The Color Purple, future Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg (for best supporting actress for Ghost in 1991) chose oversized ’80s suiting and playful embellishment for the nominees’ luncheon.
Photo: Getty Images2/221989
Before she took home the best supporting actress Oscar for The Accidental Tourist, Geena Davis attended the luncheon in a navel-baring matching set and long, beaded necklace.
Photo: Getty Images3/221989
A best supporting actor nominee for Running on Empty, River Phoenix attended in jeans and a sweater, accompanied by his co-star in the film, and then-girlfriend, Martha Plimpton.
Photo: Getty Images4/221990
Anjelica Huston, a best supporting actress nominee for Enemies, A Love Story, attends in a belted white dress with her half-brother, Danny Huston, in tow.
Photo: Getty Images5/221990
That same year, Daniel Day-Lewis—who would go on to win the first of his three best actor statuettes for My Left Foot—was all smiles in a polka-dot shirt.
Photo: Getty Images6/221990
Also in 1990, best actress nominee Isabelle Adjani (for Camille Claudel) was impossibly cool in all-black and big sunglasses.
Photo: Getty Images7/221991
The year she celebrated the first of her now five Oscar nominations—best supporting actress for The Grifters—Annette Bening showed up in louche suiting.
Photo: Getty Images8/221992
Nominated for best actress for For the Boys, Bette Midler attended in the quintessentially ’90s uniform of an oversized neutral suit and sunglasses.
Photo: Getty Images9/221994
Jeans, a crewneck sweater, a blazer, and baseball cap was the outfit of choice for Steven Spielberg the year he won his first two competitive Oscars for Schindler’s List (best picture and best director), following five nominations across more than a decade.
Photo: Getty Images10/221995
The year she was nominated in the best actress category for Little Women—her second nod, after being in the running for best supporting actress the previous year for The Age of Innocence—an angelic Winona Ryder went casual at the luncheon.
Photo: Getty Images11/221997
Never one to stand on ceremony, Frances McDormand—who was about to take home the first of her now four Oscars (this one for best actress for Fargo)—chose a maxi dress and animal-print bag.
Photo: Getty Images12/221998
Nominated in best supporting actress for Good Will Hunting, Minnie Driver attended in a sleek, all-cream ensemble.
Photo: Getty Images13/221998
At the same luncheon, Paul Thomas Anderson—then on his very first Oscar nomination, for best original screenplay for Boogie Nights—showed up in sneakers, accompanied by his then-girlfriend, Fiona Apple.
Photo: Getty Images14/221999
Cate Blanchett in a black leather dress and cardi the year she received her first Oscar nomination: best actress for Elizabeth.
Photo: Getty Images15/221999
That particular statuette was won by Shakespeare in Love’s Gwyneth Paltrow, who came to the luncheon in a sleeveless turtleneck knit.
Photo: Getty Images16/221999
A leather jacket-clad Warren Beatty–then nominated for best original screenplay for Bulworth along with Jeremy Pikser—at the luncheon with his wife, Annette Bening.
Photo: Getty Images17/222000
Also making a case for leather the following year was Russell Crowe, then a first-time acting nominee (best actor for The Insider).
Photo: Getty Images18/222000
Chloë Sevigny, nominated in the best supporting actress category that year for Boys Don’t Cry, chose a frilly blouse and shorts.
Photo: Getty Images19/222000
As for best director nominee (for Being John Malkovich) Spike Jonze? A utilitarian uniform to match the minimalism of his then-wife, Sofia Coppola, who chose a white tank, sheer shirt, beige pencil skirt, and a Birkin, of course.
Photo: Getty Images20/222001
McDormand returns, as only she can, in jeans, a T-shirt, blazer, and messy bob, this time a best supporting actress nominee for Almost Famous.
Photo: Getty Images21/222002
The year she recieved her first Oscar nod—best actress for Moulin Rouge!—Nicole Kidman attended in a lace-lined dress, neutral coat, and strappy sandals.
Photo: Getty Images22/222002
At the same event, Ethan Hawke, a best supporting actor nominee for Training Day, was accompanied by his then-wife, Uma Thurman, in a cardigan and beaded necklace.
