Oscars 2026: Shocks, Surprises, and Snubs – The Night Had It All

Hollywood’s biggest celebration of cinema delivered its usual mix of glamor and unpredictability as the 98th Academy Awards unfolded on Sunday night. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the ceremony proved that even after nearly a century, the Oscars can still surprise.

From a rare tie and historic firsts to unexpected snubs, the night kept audiences guessing as envelopes were opened one after another. Here’s a look at some of the most talked-about moments from this year’s Oscars.

SURPRISE: Amy Madigan wins Best Supporting Actress

One of the evening’s earliest surprises came when Amy Madigan took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons. The actress was earlier nominated in the same category for Twice in a Lifetime in 1986, making it her second nomination and first win in 40 years.

What’s more surprising here is the fact that Oscars haven’t been this generous to horror films traditionally, making the victory even more notable. The 75-year-old Madigan triumphed in a competitive category that included performances from Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.

SNUB: Delroy Lindo misses out

He has been around for a long time, and ahead of this awards season, it was rumored that veteran actor Delroy Lindo might be the strongest contender for the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Sinners. However, the trophy ultimately went to Sean Penn for One Battle After Another.

The win made him the fourth actor ever to win three Academy Awards in his career after Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson, and Walter Brennan. Penn was not present at the ceremony to collect his third Academy Award in total, and last year’s winner, Kieran Culkin, collected the trophy on his behalf.

SURPRISE: A rare tie in Best Live Action Short Film

In one of the night’s most unexpected twists, presenter Kumail Nanjiani announced a tie for Best Live Action Short Film. Since ties at the Oscars are extremely rare, the announcement is one of the ceremony’s standout moments.

Both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva were declared winners, beating out nominees Butcher’s Stain, A Friend of Dorothy, and Jane Austen’s Period Drama.

SNUB: The in-Memoriam omissions

The annual In Memoriam tribute once again sparked debate among viewers. While the segment featured a moving performance by Barbra Streisand, several notable names were missing from the broadcast, including Eric Dane, James Van Der Beek, and Robert Carradine.

Insiders claim that, since the deceased were primarily TV actors, their names were missing from the televised tribute. The Academy rectified the error by including their names on its official website.

Historic moment: Autumn Durald Arkapaw makes Oscars history

Another landmark moment came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners, and why shouldn’t she have – the five-minute one-shot that put the film on the Academy’s radar is something dreams are made of.

With the victory, she became the first woman ever to win the category — a milestone decades in the making. Arkapaw had already broken ground as only the fourth woman ever nominated for the award, making her win one of the most significant achievements of the evening.

Surprise: Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor

The Best Actor race remained uncertain until the final envelope was opened. Ultimately, Michael B. Jordan took home the award for his performance in Sinners, beating strong contenders including Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Earlier in the ceremony, Conan O’Brien mocked Timothée Chalamet for his comments on ballet and opera, and many believe that had he not been so careless in the interview, he might have clinched the Academy Award instead of Michael B. Jordan. Surprisingly, Marty Supreme went home empty-handed.

Surprise: Ludwig Göransson adds another Oscar

The night also belonged to composer Ludwig Göransson, who won Best Original Score for Sinners, further cementing his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after composers.

Having previously won an Academy Award for Black Panther and later for Oppenheimer, Göransson’s latest victory means he now holds multiple Oscars — an impressive achievement for the Swedish composer who is also behind Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic fantasy action flick The Odyssey.

Moment on stage: Javier Bardem voices support for Palestine

One of the most talked-about moments of the evening came when Javier Bardem used his time on stage to deliver a brief but pointed message. As he began speaking, Bardem opened with the words, “No to war and free Palestine,” prompting a loud round of applause from the audience inside the theater.

The Spanish actor also wore two pins on his tuxedo lapel — one reading “No to War” and another supporting Palestine — reinforcing his anti-war message during the live broadcast.

Surprise: The inaugural Casting Oscar

The Academy introduced a new category this year, honoring excellence in casting, and the inaugural award in the category went to Casting director Cassandra Kulukundis for her work on Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another.

Her efforts helped assemble a diverse ensemble that included newcomers such as Chase Infiniti alongside established stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn.

In her speech, Kulukundis joked about the intense secrecy surrounding Anderson’s projects, saying that working with him is like entering a “witness protection program.”

More firsts: Big wins for Ryan Coogler and Paul Thomas Anderson

The night also delivered long-awaited first Oscars for two celebrated filmmakers – Ryan Coogler and Paul Thomas Anderson.

Ryan Coogler won for the screenplay of Sinners, while Paul Thomas Anderson picked up the award for Adapted Screenplay for One Battle After Another. Anderson’s triumph didn’t end there — he also claimed Best Director and Best Picture, making it a dominant night for his film.

Despite nearly a century of ceremonies, the Oscars continue to deliver moments that surprise even the most seasoned observers. The 2026 Academy Awards proved once again that Hollywood’s biggest night still has the power to make history — and spark debate — long after the final envelope is opened.