The Baz Luhrmann-directed pop cultural phenomenon received eight Academy Award nods after it was released in June 2001.

Moulin Rouge’s Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor break into song at 2026 Oscars ahead of film’s 25th anniversary

The Baz Luhrmann-directed pop cultural phenomenon received eight Academy Award nods after it was released in June 2001.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Entertainment Tonight and Popsugar.

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March 15, 2026 11:08 p.m. ET

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Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman present at the 98th Academy Awards. Credit:

Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor brought decades of love to the 2026 Academy Awards with an onstage reunion a few months ahead of the 25th anniversary of their iconic hit movie musical *Moulin Rouge!*

Despite more thab two decades passing since the pair costarred in Baz Luhrmann's over-the-top extravaganza, McGregor and Kidman proved that they've still got chemistry in spades as they reunited to present Sunday night's Best Picture award. When the actress quipped about how she really enjoyed all the films nominated for the night's final award, McGregor inquired if she'd say she "loved" them. The question set off a back-and-forth of songs with love in the title, including, "Love Is Like Oxygen" by Sweet, "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" by Andy Williams, and "Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong" by Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker.

"But I have to say, Nicole, 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," McGregor quipped, to which Kidman responded, "Ooh, don't tempt me."

And as McGregor segued into the introduction of the category's nominations, he and Kidman really brought it home by singing the chorus of "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles.

Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in 'Moulin Rouge!'.

Courtesy Everett Collection.

Upon its release in May 2001, *Moulin Rouge! *became a pop cultural phenomenon, earning eight Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture, and boasting an unforgettable soundtrack featuring the No. 1 hit "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink, and Lil Kim.

The film was practically an instant classic for its jukebox musical style that mixes a variety of genres including vaudeville, cabaret, stage musicals, and opera, and borrows music from famed musicians like Elton John ("Your Song"), Queen ("The Show Must Go On"), The Police ("Roxanne"), Madonna ("Material Girl"), and Nirvana ("Smells Like Teen Spirit"). With each of those numbers comes a selection of explosive, seductive, and electric choreography.

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And of course, *Moulin Rouge! *wouldn't be the showstopper its known to be without its leads.

Kidman made audiences weep as Satine, the beautiful courtesan who is the star of the eponymous club in turn-of-the-century Paris. McGregor, on the other hand, had viewers in the palm of his hand as Christian, the penniless writer who falls in love with Satine despite her commitment to a truly vile duke, who has invested in the Moulin Rouge and promised to make Satine’s dreams of stage stardom come true.

Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in 'Moulin Rouge!'. Everett Collection

The film's choreographer, John O'Connell, told ** back in 2021 that Kidman's "incredible presence" helped elevate the film to the memorable status it holds today.

"She's crazy — in a good way — and you can see it in her career," he said. "She doesn't play safe. She jumps in and takes the risk. That trapeze [in one scene] is incredibly high and she just went up twice and said, 'Yep, I'm good.'"

See the full list of the 2026 Academy Awards winners here.

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