With historical wins and standing ovations, the 2026 Oscars did not disappoint.

The 2026 Oscars premiered on Sunday March 15, and did not disappoint, giving viewers some things to talk about beyond what each celebrity wore on the red carpet. Regardless of if you were able to stay up and watch the entire award ceremony, or saw a few clips on social media, here are some of the moments worth highlighting. 

“One Battle After Another,” a political thriller, and “Sinners,” an action and horror film both from Warner Bros., were some of the main events of the evening. “Sinners” won four Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” won six, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. The rivalry between each film started because they were both huge commercial and critical successes, skipping the festival circuit entirely and going straight to theaters. 

Throughout the entire award season, it was two high-profile movies from the same filming studio competing against each other. “One Battle After Another” dominated most of the previous award ceremonies like the Golden Globes and BAFTAs. However, “Sinners” had a record-breaking 16 nominations Sunday night, which made it seem like the outcome could go either way. 

As host, Conan O’Brien helped ease some of the tension in the room. He delivered well-timed jokes constantly throughout the evening, including a dig at Timothèe Chalamet for his recent diss at the ballet and opera industries. 

This was O’Brien’s second year in a row hosting the Oscars. His humor helped keep the night lively as some of these ceremonies can feel dragged on. His laid-back tone seemed to enhance the show’s authenticity.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for “Sinners,” and became a main talking point on social media in the days that followed. She is the first female winner in this category since the Oscars began 98 years ago. Although the accomplishment is admirable, and a massive milestone in her career, many took to social media to share their disappointment in how long it took for a female to win this category. Some other noteworthy female winners from the night were Jessie Buckley for Best Actress in “Hamnet” and Amy Madigan for Best Supporting Actress in “Weapons.” 

Courtesy of Getty Images

Amy Madigan accepted the award for Best Supporting Actress in “Weapons.” 

Another major moment of the evening was Michael B. Jordan’s win for his performance in “Sinners.” This earned him the Best Actor award, and his win was followed by a standing ovation. Fellow nominees in the category, including Leonardo DiCaprio, hugged Jordan as he accepted the award. It didn’t seem staged or practiced. Instead, it felt like a moment where everyone in the room appreciated his win. 

Awards ceremonies can often feel stuck in the same routine of trophies being passed out with long commercial breaks that make it hours long. But, a moment like this for Jordan felt very genuine from a viewer perspective.

Then there was the mayhem that left the audience and viewers at home completely confused. For only the seventh time in Oscar history, there was a tie in the Best Live Action Short Film category. Kumail Nanjiani, the presenter, needed to pause and truly persuade the audience that he wasn’t kidding. The tie was between “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva.” Even during a practiced broadcast, a moment like this can still manage to sneak in and steal the show. 

The Academy appeared to get everything right, which is what set the 2026 Oscars apart from those in previous years. Wins in prior ceremonies have come off to some as superficial or predictable. Sometimes feeling as if the room was just going through the motions. 

However, instances like Jordan receiving a four-minute standing ovation from the entire audience and Arkapaw becoming the first female winner of Best Cinematography demonstrated that the audience reacts when the Academy makes historical decisions. People weren’t applauding as part of the routine; they meant it. Responses like these serve as a reminder of why, despite their flaws, award shows like the Oscars are still important.