Every year, one of the most anticipated awards shows is the Academy Awards. The Oscars are a place where many actors are rewarded for their hard work, where surprising upsets happen, and where political statements are often made. From controversial comments about ballet and opera to unexpected moments on stage and bold fashion choices, the 2026 Oscars truly had it all.

There was much debate over who would win in the Best Actor category. Many thought it would come

down to Timothée Chalamet or Michael B. Jordan. However, after a comment Chalamet made about ballet and opera being “outdated,” some people felt differently about his chances. In the end, Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his performance in Sinners, a film that critiques cultural appropriation and systemic racism. The movie also won Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Original Score. Sinners clearly resonated with audiences and critics, as it carries a deeper message beyond just entertainment. Jordan delivered a powerful performance, connecting with viewers in ways that stood out.

Despite the controversy surrounding Chalamet’s comment, it’s important to note that Academy Award voting is completed before the ceremony, so his remarks likely did not impact the outcome.

Another major category people were talking about was Best Actress. Jessie Buckley, who starred in Hamnet, won the award. She was heavily favored, with many predicting her victory. Hamnet is based on the life of William Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, as she copes with the death of her 11-year-old son, an event believed to have inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Buckley gave an outstanding performance and clearly earned her award.

Buckley’s emotional speech highlighted the important role that women play as mothers saying, “It’s Mother’s Day in the U.K. today, but I would like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart”.

Best Picture was also a highly discussed category, with One Battle After Another taking the award over

Frankenstein, surprising some viewers.

Another category that is highly anticipated, Best Supporting Actress, went to Amy Madigan for her role in Weapons. Madigan was nominated with some other powerhouse actresses like Teyana Taylor who previously won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Many assumed that Taylor would take home the award, but Madigan pulled a victory instead. 

The award for Best Supporting Actor went to Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another. Penn was not in the audience at the time to receive his award, as he was meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine. Penn previously gave the Ukrainian leader an Oscar statuette in 2022. 

Zelensky was quoted saying, “Because of you, Sean, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is. You have been with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war. And today as well. And we know that you will continue to stand with our country and our people.”

Of course, many people don’t just watch the Oscars for the awards and speeches. They also tune in for the host’s jokes. This year’s host, Conan O’Brien, delivered several memorable lines throughout the night. He opened with, “I am honored to be the last human host of the Academy Awards. Next year, it’s going to be a Waymo in a tux.” One of his most talked-about jokes targeted Chalamet, referencing his earlier comments: “Security is tight tonight- I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.” 

Chalamet laughed awkwardly, especially given the backlash he had already received. O’Brien added, “They’re just mad you left out jazz,” which got a strong reaction from the audience.

Another major highlight of the Oscars is always the fashion. On the red carpet, Jessie Buckley wore a light pink Chanel bustier dress with a red satin leather stole, a look many people loved. Michael B. Jordan wore a custom Louis Vuitton suit with David Yurman jewelry, which fans described as both unexpected and stylish.

Not every outfit was a hit, though. Amy Madigan, who won Best Supporting Actress, wore a coat that some thought looked unusual, though others praised her for not trying to “fit in.” Nicole Kidman wore a Chanel dress that some critics harshly compared to “looking like she got into a fight with a chicken,” according to Cosmopolitan. 

Another eye-turning dress was worn by last year’s Best Actress recipient, Demi Moore, who wore a dark green Gucci dress with bold feathers fanning the neckline. 

Meanwhile, Mckenna Grace, who recently appeared in Scream 7, wore a light pink Vera Wang dress that many said made her look like a princess. Cosmopolitan praised the look, noting that “every starlet should have at least one princess moment on the red carpet- if she wants one, of course.” 

Chalamet, another major topic of the night, wore a sleek white suit, which stood out as a more polished and intentional fashion choice than his previous looks.

Overall, this year’s Oscars felt like no other, with plenty of memorable moments. Many people were satisfied with the results, whether it was Michael B. Jordan receiving his first Oscar or Jessie Buckley earning a well-deserved win. From the awards to the fashion to the drama, this year’s ceremony proved to be a success and gave audiences plenty to talk about.