The 2026 Academy Awards dazzled with groundbreaking victories, marking a first in cinematography and an uncommon tie for Best Live-Action Short. The evening was rife with stunning performances and tear-jerking tributes to cinema icons. Fans celebrated beloved cast reunions and moving acknowledgments of motherhood, making it a night to remember in Hollywood history.
From historic wins, like the first woman to win for cinematography and the seventh-ever Oscar tie, to awkward silences and moving tributes, The Oscars 2026 was truly an eventful and exciting ceremony. If you missed watching the ceremony live, here are some of the event’s highlights (some good and some worst moments).
‘The Devil Wears Prada’ comes to life
Anne Hathaway and Anna Wintour brought the film’s essence to life. The actress joined Anna Wintour, who inspired Meryl Streep’s “Devil” fashion editor, to present the award for best costume, makeup, and hairstyling. The duo performed a candid skit with references from the film.
The historic tie almost gets ruined
For only the seventh time in history, the Oscar vote ended in a tie. “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva” both walked away with golden statuettes for the best live-action short film category. But the moment was almost ruined when production tried to cut off the acceptance speech of the “Saliva” filmmakers, playing over one of them, retracting the microphone and cutting to O’Brien. After a clunky moment of audience groans and O’Brien trying to keep a straight face, the camera moved back to the winners.
‘Sinners’ star Miles Caton’s electrifying performance
‘Sinners’ breakout star Miles Caton brought the juke joint to life alongside a murderers’ row of musicians and performers with ‘I Lied to You’. Sharing the stage with the song’s co-writer Raphael Saadiq, Shaboozey, Brittany Howard, ballet legend Misty Copeland and more, the performance was euphoric and electrifying.
The moving tributes
Hollywood lost legends like Rob Reiner, Robert Redford and Diane Keaton. This year, the telecast went beyond the usual montage and sad song to say goodbye to these icons of cinema. Billy Crystal and a stage filled with alums from Reiner’s beloved films saluted the actor, producer and director. Rachel McAdams was close to tears as she spoke of her respect and adoration for Keaton.
The much-anticipated reunions
Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans haven’t super-suited-up together in a Marvel superhero movie since ‘Avengers: Endgame’ in 2019, but they put on penguin suits as presenters.‘Bridesmaids’ stars Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper and Maya Rudolph also took the stage to present two awards, with an extended bit about how “well” they’ve aged, and nods to the jokes from the original film.
‘Golden’ but too late
When EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami sang the chart-topping “Golden” from Netflix’s animated (and now Oscar-winning) hit ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters,’ it was almost 10 p.m. ET, and they belted out an abbreviated version of the song in appropriately metallic outfits.
Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley’s shoutouts to their moms
Best Actor winner Michael B. Jordan thanked God, his mom (and date) and his father, who flew in from Ghana. Soon afterward, Jessie Buckley won best actress for “Hamnet” and dedicated her win “to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart.”See More: Oscars 2026 Complete Winner List Update: Michael B. Jordan bags Best Actor Award for ‘Sinners’, Jessie Buckley wins Best Actress Award for ‘Hamnet’, ‘One Battle After Another’ wins Best Picture Award Go to Source
