LOS ANGELES, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Mexican film director Guillermo del Toro won the Best Director at the 90th Academy Awards here Sunday with his fantasy film "The Shape of Water."

The film, which follows the story of a mute falling in love with an amphibian creature, has been a box-office hit after its release in December.

Produced with only 19 million dollars, it has grossed 126 million dollars worldwide to date.

The other contenders for this year's Best Director Award are Christopher Nolan ("Dunkirk"), Greta Gerwig ("Lady Bird"), Jordan Peele ("Get Out") and Paul Thomas Anderson ("Phantom Thread").