Highlights and flops from the 2026 Oscars

The 2026 Oscars handed out wins to two big movies—"One Battle After Another" took six awards, including best picture, while "Sinners" scored four, including best actor for Michael B. Jordan. Both films dominated the year, but the show also had its share of cringe-worthy moments. Conan O’Brien hosted again, mixing a clever opening skit with a weak monologue that included a joke about opera fans being security threats. He also tried to make Leonardo DiCaprio the star of a new meme, which flopped instantly.The ceremony featured a bizarre "bum drum" instrument—a prop shaped like a backside—and a Baby Yoda cameo that felt forced. Political statements popped up more than usual, with winners calling for peace and decency, like Paul Thomas Anderson joking that he wrote his movie for his kids to apologize for the mess they’ll inherit. Michael B. Jordan’s acceptance speech stood out for honoring past Black Oscar winners and thanking the industry for betting on him. Some moments didn’t land well. A tie for best live-action short was handled smoothly by Kumail Nanjiani, who joked about the irony of an Oscar taking too long. But a staged "death" sketch for "One Battle After Another" aired too late, when most viewers were already checking out. The night also celebrated firsts, like Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman of color to win for cinematography, while an awkward "Avengers" reunion ended with a questionable gift.