The 2026 Oscars mark the grand finale of awards season, the night when Hollywood’s biggest stars reserve their most striking fashion, most emotional speeches and, inevitably, a few unexpected moments.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre, this year’s ceremony arrives at the end of one of the most unpredictable awards seasons in recent memory. Major categories remained fiercely contested throughout, with films including Sinners and One Battle After Another dominating the conversation, while actors such as Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan entered the night among those in contention for the industry’s most coveted prizes.
But while the statuettes matter, the Oscars are just as famous for the moments that unfold between them. This year has already produced a handful of highlights, from an unexpectedly meta exchange between Anna Wintour and Anne Hathaway to a rare tie in the Best Live Action Short Film category.
Add in a standing ovation-earning performance by Misty Copeland and a steady stream of comedic jabs from O’Brien, and the night had all the hallmarks of a classic Oscars spectacle.
Ahead, all the viral, chaotic and surprisingly heartfelt moments from the 2026 Academy Awards so far.
All Our Favourite Moments From The 2026 Oscars
Timothée Chalamet Becomes The First Target Of Conan O’Brien’s Monologue
Conan O’Brien opened the night with a brisk, rapid-fire monologue, turning his attention to the room’s most famous faces, with Timothée Chalamet among the first in the spotlight following his recent ballet and opera controversy.
“Security is extremely tight tonight. I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet community,” O’Brien joked, as cameras cut to Chalamet in the audience, who appeared to take the remark in good humour.
Leonardo DiCaprio Gets The Meme Treatment
Leonardo DiCaprio found himself momentarily in the spotlight when Conan O’Brien attempted to manufacture the evening’s next viral meme.
As the One Battle After Another nominee appeared on the big screen, a caption popped up beneath him reading, “TFW [that feeling when] you didn’t agree to this.” DiCaprio responded with a suitably bewildered expression, leaning into the joke that he is perpetually meme-ified.
Anna Wintour Has A Very Miranda Priestly Moment
Surprise cameos are something of an Oscars tradition, and the 2026 ceremony was no exception. When it came time to present the awards for Best Costume Design and Best Hair and Makeup, Anna Wintour, one of fashion’s most recognisable figures, took to the stage alongside Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway.
Together, the pair presented the Best Costume Design award to Kate Hawley for Frankenstein, while the Best Hair and Makeup honour went to artists Mike Hill, Cliona Furey, Jordan Samuel and Megan Many.
The moment also came with a wink to fashion’s favourite fictional universe. After Hathaway asked Wintour what she thought of her look, the Vogue editor coolly ignored the question and continued reading the nominees. Later, she added a pointed “Thank you, Emily” to Hathaway, a knowing nod to the assistant name immortalised in The Devil Wears Prada.
A Bridesmaids Reunion On The Oscars Stage
A small Bridesmaids reunion materialised onstage when best actress nominee Rose Byrne was joined by former co-stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper, briefly turning the ceremony into a comedy reunion.
The only conspicuous absence was Wendi McLendon-Covey, who was not present alongside her former castmates, however Bridesmaids director Paul Feig noted it was simply a scheduling conflict.
“I just heard that she was not available,” Feig said. “She might even be traveling, I’m not sure. But we will miss her terribly because I love Wendi.”
The group reunited to mark the film’s 15th anniversary and to present the Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Sound.
Rachel McAdams Honours Hollywood Legends
The ceremony’s ‘In Memoriam’ segment took an emotional turn when Rachel McAdams stepped to the microphone to honour several of the industry figures lost over the past year, including Diane Ladd, Catherine O’Hara and the “absolute singularity” that was Diane Keaton.
“She meant so much to so many of us,” McAdams said of Keaton. “Celebrating a life in silver and gold, a legend with no end.”
Robert Downey Jr. Brings A Sparkly Thong To The Avengers Reunion
Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans appeared onstage together to present the awards for Best Adapted and Original Screenplay, marking 14 years since The Avengers first assembled its superheroes.
Evans revealed he had brought Downey a thoughtful anniversary gift: a cast-signed copy of the original script. Downey, meanwhile, admitted he had only managed a valet receipt. The bit escalated when Downey later returned with a sparkly thong worn by Channing Tatum in Magic Mike. From the audience, Tatum called out that he would be needing it back “for work later.”
Michael B. Jordan Takes Home Best Actor In A Leading Role
Michael B. Jordan has won the Best Actor Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards for Sinners, collecting the first Academy Award of his career.
Jordan prevailed in a competitive field that included Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon and Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, a line-up that had kept awards-watchers guessing until the final stretch.
The win follows a steady awards-season climb that included nominations at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, before momentum tipped decisively in his favour with a SAG win earlier this month.
Jessie Buckley Caps Off A Dominant Awards Season
Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards for her performance in Hamnet, becoming the first Irish actress to take home the award.
In an awards season full of late-stage twists, Buckley’s victory was one of the few outcomes that felt almost inevitable. The actor had already swept the major precursors, collecting Best Actress trophies at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards and SAG Awards, making her triumph at the Dolby Theatre the final step in a remarkably consistent run.
Buckley prevailed over a strong field that included Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value and Emma Stone for Bugonia.
The win marks Buckley’s second Oscar nomination following her Best Supporting Actress nod for The Lost Daughter.
