The Oscars are never just about the golden statues. Every year, Hollywood’s biggest night delivers heartfelt speeches, unexpected and historic wins, awkward jokes and viral moments that quickly take over
social media. The 2026 Academy Awards were no exception, offering a mix of humor, historic milestones and emotional tributes.
Here’s a look at the best moments from Oscars 2026.
1. Conan O’Brien’s Chaotic Aunt Gladys Opening
Host Conan O’Brien kicked off the ceremony with a memorable comedy bit. In a pre-recorded segment, the comedian dressed up as Aunt Gladys from Weapons, the eccentric character played by Amy Madigan.
The sketch showed O’Brien running through town while being chased by a group of children before suddenly bursting onto the stage at the Dolby Theatre with the kids still behind him. The absurd moment immediately set a playful tone for the evening.
2. Sinners Scores Major Wins
Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners had a big night even without winning Best Picture. The movie entered the ceremony with a record 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film.
Coogler won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, while Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor for his dual role as twins Smoke and Stack. The wins felt like a fitting recognition for one of the year’s most talked-about films.
3. Autumn Durald Arkapaw Makes Oscars History
Another standout moment came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners. Her victory marked the first time a woman has ever won the award.
While the milestone was widely celebrated, many viewers also pointed out how surprising it is that the Academy reached this moment only in 2026.
4. Michael B. Jordan’s Emotional Speech
Jordan’s Best Actor acceptance speech quickly became one of the most heartfelt moments of the night. The actor thanked longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler, saying the director gave him “an opportunity to be seen.”
He also paid tribute to legendary Black performers who paved the way, naming Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker and Will Smith.
5. KPop Demon Hunters Wins Big
The internet’s favorite animated film KPop Demon Hunters capped off a dominant awards season by winning Best Animated Feature.
Director Maggie Kang delivered a powerful speech celebrating representation, telling viewers, “This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.”
6. The Dolby Theatre Turns Into A K-Pop Concert
One of the most energetic moments of the ceremony came during the performance of “Golden.” Singers EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna turned the Dolby Theatre into something resembling a K-pop concert.
Celebrities in the audience, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Stone, were seen waving light sticks as the crowd joined in the fun.
7. Misty Copeland’s Surprise Dance Moment
The Sinners musical segment delivered another memorable surprise when ballet icon Misty Copeland appeared on stage.
Her dramatic performance added a striking moment of dance to the ceremony and quickly became one of the night’s standout visual moments.
8. A Rare Tie At The Oscars
The ceremony also delivered an unusual twist when Best Live Action Short Film ended in a tie. Both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva took home the award. It marked only the seventh tie in Academy Awards history, briefly interrupting the ceremony’s usually tidy structure.
9. Billy Crystal’s Moving Tribute To Rob Reiner
The In Memoriam segment paused for a particularly emotional tribute to filmmaker Rob Reiner. Actor Billy Crystal reflected on their decades-long friendship and career together, recalling how they first worked together in the 1970s.
The tribute provided one of the evening’s most touching moments, reminding viewers of the lasting legacy of the artists honored during the ceremony.
