The Artist was triumphant at this year's Academy Awards picking up the highest accolades.
The French homage to silent film directed by Michel Hazanavicius took home five statues in total. The film was successful in high-profile categories including Best Motion Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for leading man Jean Dujardin. The Artist has been victorious throughout this year's awards season, taking home four Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday and winning three Golden Globe Awards in January.
Martin Scorcese's first-ever family film Hugo also scored big with Academy voters. The film's production personnel were showered with accolades, winning trophies for Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Sound Mixing, Art Direction and Cinematography.
Although many favourited The Help star Viola Davis to be the trophy winner, Meryl Streep won the Best Actress prize for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.
This was Meryl's 17th Academy Award nomination and her third Oscar win.
At the podium the actress thanked her friends and colleagues for her "inexplicably wonderful career".
Octavia Spencer won for Best Supporting Actress for her depiction of character Minny Jackson in The Help. This has been the only Oscar that the historical civil rights drama has received, despite predictions that it would prevail on the night.
Octavia delivered a tearful speech on stage after receiving her trophy.
"Thank you, Academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room," Octavia joked between sobs of joy. "I have to thank my family in Alabama. The state of Alabama. My L.A. family watching at Steven's. My Help family. Tate [Taylor], [Michael] Barnathan, Kathryn [Stockett], Allison Janney, thank you for being in my life."
Octavia became so emotional that she lost track of time and was prompted to end her address swiftly.
"I'm wrapping up. I'm sorry! I'm freaking out! Thank you, world. Thank you to WME and Viewpoint L.A. I'm so sorry, you guys. Thank you!" she gushed before heading off the stage.
Christopher Plummer was named Best Supporting Actor for his work in romantic dramatic comedy Beginners. The 82-year-old Canadian actor is the oldest thespian to have ever won an Oscar.
The 84th Annual Academy Awards were held in Los Angeles on Sunday at the Kodak Theatre.
The Academy Awards 2012 winners:
Best Motion Picture: The Artist
Best Actress: Meryl Streep The Iron Lady
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin The Artist
Achievement In Directing: Michel Hazanavicius The Artist
Best Animated Short Film: William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburgwin The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Best Documentary Feature: Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoywin Saving Face
Best Live Action Short Film: Terry George and Oorlagh George The Shore
Best Original Screenplay: Woody Allen Midnight in Paris
Best Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash The Descendants
Best Original Song: Bret McKenzie Man or Muppet from The Muppets
Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource The Artist
Best Actor In A Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer Beginners
Achievement In Visual Effects: Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman and Alex Hennings Hugo
Best Animated Feature Film: Gore Verbinski Rango
Best Documentary: TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay, and Rich Middlemas Undefeated
Achievement In Sound Mixing: Tom Fleishman and John Midgleywin Hugo
Achievement In Sound Editing: Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty Hugo
Achievement In Film Editing: Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer The Help
Best Foreign Language Film: A Separation director Asghar Farhad
Achievement In Makeup: Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland The Iron Lady
Achievement In Costume Design: Mark Bridges The Artist
Art Direction: Dante Ferretti (Production Design) and Francesca Lo Schiavo (Set Decoration) Hugo
Achievement In Cinematography: Robert Richardson Hugo