Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor delighted fans with a nostalgic reunion at the 2026 Academy Awards, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their beloved musical film “Moulin Rouge!.”
The former co-stars took the stage together at the ceremony, held Sunday, March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where they presented the award for Best Picture.
Their appearance quickly turned into one of the night’s most memorable moments as the pair playfully referenced the iconic love story they shared on screen more than two decades ago.
All About the Sweet Reunion
Kidman began by praising the year’s nominees.
“So I have to say I adored all of the films this year,” she said.
McGregor jumped in with a teasing follow-up.
“Adored,” he repeated. “Would you say you loved them?”
Kidman laughed in confusion and replied, “What?”
McGregor then leaned further into the bit, quoting lyrics famously used in Moulin Rouge!.
“Love, you know, like… love is like oxygen,” he said.
Kidman immediately caught on and responded with another lyric from the film’s musical number.
“Oh,” she said. “Love is a many splendored thing.”
The exchange drew cheers from the audience, but the nostalgic moment didn’t stop there.
“I have to say, Nicole,” McGregor added, “even though it’s been 25 years, every time I hear the word love I still imagine someone is going to lower a chandelier and cue the orchestra.”
Before introducing the nominees, Kidman began softly singing the famous Beatles lyric featured in the film’s opening musical sequence.
“All you need is love,” she sang.
McGregor quickly joined in, echoing the line before the two finished the phrase together: “Love is all you need.”
Fans Couldn’t Get Enough
Fans watching the moment quickly shared their excitement online, with many celebrating the reunion between the former co-stars.
“That moment was lovely,” one viewer wrote, while another commented, “They still got the magic.”
Others admitted the moment brought back strong memories of the film’s emotional love story.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I’m crying,” one fan wrote, while another added, “And I will never recover from this.”
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, “Moulin Rouge!” premiered in 2001 and became one of the most distinctive movie musicals of its era.
The film follows the tragic romance between cabaret star Satine, played by Kidman, and struggling writer Christian, portrayed by McGregor, set in the bohemian nightlife of Paris in 1899.
The film went on to win two Oscars, including Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, and remains a favorite among fans more than two decades later.
Judging by the reaction to their Oscars reunion, the chemistry between Kidman and McGregor is just as enchanting 25 years later.
