With the 97th annual Academy Awards well underway, viewers have been left particularly shaken and emotional after watching the ceremony’s ‘In Memoriam’ segment.

Every year, the Oscars honor members of the film industry who have passed away in the past year.

This year’s In Memoriam hit hard. Credit: Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

And this year hit hard.

Dame Maggie Smith, David Lynch, Teri Garr, James Earl Jones, the recently departed two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman, and so many more… It was an emotional watch for viewers, with many in disbelief over just how many legends of cinema had passed away over the last year.

“Beautiful and heartbreaking #InMemoriam segment at the #Oscars …So many greats, legends and icons that passed,” one person wrote.

“That was a very moving in memoriam at the Oscars,” another added. “So many legends dying.”

“That In Memoriam hit hard. We lost so many legends, and you really don’t realize it until it’s played out in front of you,” a third tweeted.

“So many legends of cinema we’ve lost this year,” typed another, with one X user adding: “I actually teared up we lost so many legends this year.”

The In Memoriam was introduced by Morgan Freeman, who paid tribute to Gene Hackman. Credit: Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Image

The segment was introduced to Morgan Freeman, who delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Gene Hackman, calling him “a giant” in the film industry.

Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were tragically found dead in their New Mexico home last week, leaving Hollywood and the Santa Fe community in shock. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear as the investigation continues.

Freeman, who starred alongside Hackman in the Oscar-winning western Unforgiven (1992) and later in the thriller Under Suspicion (2000), reflected on his time working with the legendary actor.

“Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work,” Freeman said.

Calling Hackman a “dear friend”, Freeman shared that the two-time Oscar winner never dwelled on his legacy, but simply hoped people would remember him “as someone who tried to do good work.”

With deep emotion, Freeman closed his tribute by saying, “So I think I speak for us all when I say, Gene, you’ll be remembered for that, and for so much more.”

The tribute set the tone for the In Memoriam segment, which honored other Hollywood greats lost over the past year, marking one of the night’s most poignant moments.