98th Academy Awards: Oscars 2026 Show Recap

But there was also the usual dull presenter banter, some truly rude moments of worthy winners played off (the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ songwriting team even had the lights switched off on them, for which O’Brien apologized) and awkward insertions of politics, no matter how important the cause.

Conan O’Brien hosts the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

The show ran to around 30 minutes overtime, but all in all, it was largely a success. Read on for more of our thoughts…

Related Article: ‘One Battle After Another’ & ‘Sinners’ Score at the 98th Academy Awards

Conan O’Brien Had a Solid Second Outing

(L to R) Conan O’Brien and Sterling K. Brown onstage during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Overseeing the Oscars for the second time, comedian, writer and former late night host O’Brien proved he has what it takes to do this job.

His opening skit, dressed as Amy Madigan’s Aunt Gladys from ‘Weapons,’ chased through different other Oscar nominated movies by a bunch of kids, was a winner.

And if his opening monologue veered between pointed political jabs and some softballs that drew muted responses, it was still superior to other recent efforts. He was even able to smoothly deal with technical issues that plagued the ceremony, such as sound problems and cutting back to him unexpectedly.

Warner Bros. and More Win Big

(L to R) Paul Thomas Anderson, Sarah Murphy, Anthony Carlino, Will Weiske, Andy Jurgensen, Teyana Taylor, Michael Bauman, Cassandra Kulukundis, Regina Hall, Shayna McHale aka Junglepussy, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti and Benicio del Toro accept the Oscar® for Best Picture during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Cementing its 2025 success, Warner Bros. enjoyed plenty of awards love this year, as Paul Thomas Anderson finally got his Oscar (six, in fact) for ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ also took home plenty of trophies.

Surprises and Snubs

Michael B. Jordan accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC Telecast of the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Talking of ‘Sinners’, Michael B. Jordan, whose Actor in a Leading Role ascension over waning prior favorite Timothée Chalamet (his ‘Marty Supreme’ went home empty handed) ended with Jordan on stage thanking those who had blazed a trail before him.

Elsewhere, ‘The Secret Agent’ sadly landed zero awards, but Netflix had a very good night, as ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ won two awards and ‘Frankenstein’ three, with the streaming service behind a variety of other triumphs.

Presenter gags bombed

(L to R) Sigourney Weaver and Pedro Pascal onstage during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Having actors –– particularly those with a film to promote or remember –– hand out awards has often led to some leaden banter, and this year was no exception. Even the star power of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans couldn’t bring a lame bit to life, while one featuring Sigourney Weaver, Pedro Pascal and Grogu (pimping the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ movie) only really worked because of Weaver’s commitment (“Get away from him, you bitch!” she growled at nominee Kate Hudson, who had been cosying up to the critter in the audience).

(L to R) Dame Anna Wintour and Anne Hathaway present the Oscar® for Costume Design during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Anna Wintour might not be everyone’s first choice for a co-presenter, but there she was, alongside ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’s Anne Hathaway in a moment that felt like Disney selling the sequel more than looking to celebrate the  Costume Design or Hair and Makeup categories.

(L to R) Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Ellie Kemper present the Oscar® for Sound during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

There was more mixed luck with reunions –– the ‘Bridesmaids’ cast brought their moment to life with true comic power while Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman just looked award handing out Best Picture and recalling ‘Moulin Rouge!’.

(L to R) Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman present the Oscar® for Best Picture during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

History was Made

Autumn Durald Arkapaw accepts the Oscar® for Cinematography during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Three big things happened last night in terms of history. There was the first tie in 14 years (only the seventh in Oscar history) as ‘The Singers’ and ‘Two People Exchanging Saliva’ shared the Live-Action Short Film honors.

‘Sinners’ cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman (and woman of color) to win her category, while the first ever Casting award was handed to ‘One Battle’s Cassandra Kulukundis. Long-favoured Actress winner Jessie Buckley, meanwhile, became the first Irish woman to take home her category for her work in ‘Hamnet’.

In Memoriam Moments

(L to R) Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Jerry O’Connell, Wil Wheaton, Fred Savage, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Carol Kane, Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Kiefer Sutherland, Demi Moore, Kevin Pollak, Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga onstage during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

The annual remembrance for those in the industry was well handled and featured three major spotlights. First, Billy Crystal gave a moving speech about friend and collaborator Rob Reiner (who was murdered in his home last year alongside his wife, Michele), and was then joined by other cast members of Reiner movies.

Rachel McAdams took the stage to pay tribute to the likes of Diane Keaton and Catherine O’Hara, and then the big finish –– Barbra Streisand arrived to memorialize her ‘The Way we Were’ co-star and cinema icon Robert Redford, before singing for the first time in public (she had all but stopped due to stage fright issues and frustration) in years for a memorable finale to the segment.

Barbra Streisand onstage during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

List of Best Picture Nominees: