Author: dmitriy.vasyura@gmail.com

Even Hollywood's most glamorous evening has its highs and lows. And the the 2026 Oscars proved simply that because the evening of celebration delivered every little thing from unbelievable speeches to jokes that fell flat to performances we'll always remember. Uncover what you missed — or relive the evening — with our greatest and worst moments beneath. (And take a look at the total listing of Academy Award winners right here.)

01 of 13

BEST/WORST: Conan O'Brien's curler coaster of a gap

This whole listing might simply be moments from Conan O'Brien's opening.
BEST: The host kicked issues off with an amazing recorded bit that featured him in Amy Madigan's Weapons make-up working by means of a handful of the nominated movies as he's chased by a bunch of kids.
BEST: The best way he didn't draw back from present subjects, whether or not he was poking enjoyable at Timothée Chalamet's current feedback about opera and ballet or joking that it was Ted Sarandos' first time in a theater or, you recognize, all of the horrible real-world issues occurring.
WORST: Not the entire jokes labored, and that Josh Groban "if I gained an Oscar" bit felt like a last-minute add-on to the complete factor.
BEST: That joke concerning the British arresting their pedophiles.

02 of 13

BEST: Amy Madigan has a "nice" time

When the primary winner of the evening was introduced for Greatest Supporting Actress, we had been overjoyed — not solely as a result of Amy Madigan was incredible in Weapons, however as a result of how are you going to not love somebody profitable an Oscar and exclaiming: "That is nice!" It was like she simply discovered what she was in search of on the grocery retailer.

Referencing what the press has been asking her not too long ago — she's been performing for 40 years and why is that this yr completely different?! — she stated, "What's completely different is I received this little gold man."

And henceforth, the Oscars statue ought to solely be known as little gold man.

03 of 13

BEST: A sinfully good efficiency

Through the years, performances have been hit and miss on the Oscars. However when Miles Caton received on stage to carry out Greatest Authentic Tune nominee "I Lied to You" from Sinners, it was evident that we had been about to witness one thing particular. And if the track weren't highly effective sufficient by itself — with Caton's unbelievable vocals to assist — different actors from the film helped recreate one of the vital memorable scenes of the movie, transporting viewers again into the world of Sinners if just for one magical second. BRB, going to observe that film once more.

04 of 13

BEST: The satan wears a bob

Not each second is an enormous one. Typically, it's three phrases that make you squeal in pleasure. And depart it to Anna Wintour to ship one withering line that we'll be fascinated about for days to come back. As she and The Devil Wears Prada 2 star Anne Hathaway took to the stage to current a few awards, Wintour channeled, effectively, herself, and when Hathaway requested if she wished to learn the listing of nominees, she responded, "Thanks, Emily," purposefully mistaking Hathaway for her Prada costar Emily Blunt. It was good.

05 of 13

WORST: Matt Berry's expertise is wasted

What We Do within the Shadows star Matt Berry is an absolute comedic treasure, and also you're telling me his profession has now come to this?! Not solely is he serving because the announcer at this yr's Oscars, however he's doing it remotely from London? I’ve so many questions, however this largest one is: HOW DARE THEY?! Berry is just too good for this.

06 of 13

WORST: A tie

Let me begin by saying that Kumail Nanjiani dealt with this case superbly. However that doesn't imply it ought to've occurred within the first place. When Nanjiani stepped out to current the award for Greatest Stay-Motion Brief, he opened up the envelope to announce, "It's a tie." After assuring everybody that he wasn't joking and telling the gang to "stay calm," he defined that he would announce one winner, allow them to settle for their award, after which announce the second. Once more, he dealt with it effectively! He even made an amazing joke about the way it's "ironic that the Brief Movie Oscar is gonna take twice as lengthy."

However my drawback is with the concept of a tie. It's occurred earlier than, nevertheless it's uncommon, and isn't the entire level of this factor to choose a winner?! I'm very blissful for the individuals behind The Singers and Two Individuals Exchanging Saliva, but when two out of 5 nominees gained, is that actually profitable?

07 of 13

BEST: Kieran Culkin doesn't care

If there's one factor you’ll be able to at all times count on from Kieran Culkin, it's an trustworthy (and normally surprising) remark. And though his time on the Oscars stage was brief, he nonetheless managed to slide one in. Culkin was in attendance to current the award that he gained final yr for Greatest Supporting Actor, which went to One Battle After One other star Sean Penn. When Penn wasn't in attendance, Culkin stepped ahead to ship the everyday line… with a twist.

"Sean Penn couldn't be right here this night," Culkin began, earlier than including, "or didn't wish to, so I'll be accepting the award on his behalf."

He's in all probability not incorrect.

08 of 13

BEST: A correct In Memoriam

I concern they lastly cracked it. They found out do an In Memoriam! There's no random performer wanted. All we want is the easy act of listening to about these we misplaced from those that knew and beloved them.

This yr, Billy Crystal kicked issues off with a fantastic tribute to his pals Rob and Michele Reiner, which was solely made extra highly effective by quite a few Reiner's former co-workers from varied movies strolling out on stage collectively. That then began the In Memoriam, and because the video performed, it paused twice: As soon as for Rachel McAdams to speak about a few of the actresses we misplaced, together with Catherine O'Hara and her The Household Stone costar Diane Keaton. It then concluded with Barbra Streisand remembering her The Means We had been costar Robert Redford.

We received anecdotes concerning the track that Keaton at all times sang on set, and the way Redford referred to as Streisand "Babs." It was easy and heartfelt. And I'm undecided when my tear ducts will get better.

09 of 13

BEST: Grogu on the Oscars

Do I must say extra?! Grogu was on the Oscars! Okay, really, there’s extra to say as a result of, consider it or not, this second was even higher than it might sound. As Sigourney Weaver and Pedro Pascal walked on stage to current, the digital camera minimize to Pascal's lovely The Mandalorian costar sitting subsequent to Kate Hudson, which gave Weaver the chance to reprise her iconic Alien line (with a slight change): "Get away from him, you bitch," Weaver yelled at Hudson.

(And sure, the opposite bit about Grogu clapping additionally labored as a result of he's Grogu and he's SO FREAKIN' CUTE!)

10 of 13

BEST: Bridesmaids reunion

Effectively, now I need a Bridesmaidssequel. (Simply kidding, I've at all times wished a Bridesmaids sequel!) However watching Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Ellie Kemper reunite on the Oscars stage jogged my memory that it's much less of a need and extra of a want.

After they had been every handed a "observe" from the viewers, they learn out messages about their seems to be from Stellan Skarsgård, concerning the awkward eye contact from Leonardo DiCaprio, as soon as once more about their seems to be from Skarsgård, and so forth. It was an easy joke, and identical to the film they made 15 years in the past, it labored!

11 of 13

BEST: Autumn Durald Arkapaw makes historical past

Autumn Durald Arkapaw is the primary lady to win an Oscar for Greatest Cinematography, a second that may've been nice it doesn’t matter what. However whenever you add in her Sinners director Ryan Coogler's pleasure, plus the second he ran down the aisles holding her son, plus the second the place she requested all the ladies within the room to face up as a result of "I don't get right here with out you guys"? Yeah, it was unbelievable.

12 of 13

WORST: Let the individuals speak!

I've by no means been a fan of taking part in individuals off, particularly when it's evident that they actually solely do it to the much less well-known people. And this yr had just a few really brutal moments, together with a second so awkward that O'Brien referred to as it out after they tried to play off the (second) winners of Greatest Stay-Motion Brief. However that wasn't the primary offense and it wouldn't be the final: Simply ask the KPop Demon Hunters crew, who had been performed off as they tried to simply accept the award for Greatest Authentic Tune. Simply allow them to have an additional 15 seconds! Who cares?

13 of 13

BEST: Michael B. Jordan earns gold

You could possibly really feel the thrill by means of the display when Sinners star Michael B. Jordan's title was referred to as for Greatest Actor. The complete room lit up.! You could possibly see Teyana Taylor nodding her head enthusiastically. You could possibly see the enjoyment on Jordan's former costar Jesse Plemons' face. After they get it proper, they get it proper, and the room knew this one was proper. As was Jordan's unbelievable speech, thanking the Black winners who got here earlier than him, thanking his mom, thanking Coogler, and extra.

Maybe the best second was Jordan standing on stage for just a few additional seconds after his speech, taking within the standing ovation. (And for Friday Night time Lights followers, it was the second he pointed at Plemons.)

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This text accommodates spoilers for One Battle After One other.

Conan O'Brien could by no means host the Oscars once more.

The host of the 98th Academy Awards appeared in a cheeky One Battle After Another-inspired sketch simply after Paul Thomas Anderson's movie received Finest Image, displaying the late-night host assembly an identical finish as Sean Penn's character, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, within the movie.

The sketch (which you’ll watch beneath) begins with O'Brien being congratulated on his internet hosting abilities by legendary Saturday Night time Stay writerJim Downey, who performs one in every of One Battle After One other's white supremacist Christmas Adventurers Membership members, for placing on a "nice present" — so good in truth that he can be the Oscars host "for all times."

"I don't know what to say!" O'Brien replies with a shocked smile, earlier than being led to his new workplace on the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences. Earlier than O'Brien can get too cozy with the lifetime honor, although, lethal gasoline begins to leak from the ceiling.

Penn, who received Finest Supporting Actor for his function within the motion thriller, was unable to expertise the Oscar second firsthand as he didn’t attend the ceremony.

Get your each day dose of leisure information, superstar updates, and what to observe with our EW Dispatch newsletter.

"Sean Penn couldn't be right here this night, or didn't need to, so I'll be accepting the award on his behalf," final yr's Finest Supporting Actor winner, Kieran Culkin, stated upon taking the statuette for his peer.

Per a New York Times piece printed in the course of the Oscars ceremony, the 65-year-old opted out of Hollywood's greatest evening "to go to Ukraine, in keeping with two individuals who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to debate the matter." A consultant for Penn declined to remark when reached by Leisure Weekly.

The best and worst moments from the 2026 Oscars Why Sean Penn wasn't at the Oscars despite winning Best Supporting Actor

Forward of O'Brien's post-show "demise," the comedian entertained the star-studded viewers with a wide range of jabs and jokes, together with jabs at President Trump and a well timed knock on Timothee Chalamet's viral feedback about ballet and the opera.

"Safety is extraordinarily tight tonight. Simply gotta point out that," O'Brien stated at first of the present, seemling referring to experiences that security measures have been elevated because of the FBI warning of a possible "shock assault" from Iran. Nonetheless, O'Brien clarified that the true concern was "about assaults from each the opera and ballet communities."

Chalamet and accomplice Kylie Jenner have been noticed laughing at O'Brien, who received yet another quip in by telling Chalamet, "They're simply mad you unnoticed jazz!"

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