The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien on March 15, 2026, combined historic wins, political messaging and high-profile reunions in a ceremony that reflected both celebration and tension across the film industry.
O’Brien opened with his signature self-deprecating humor, briefly acknowledging the political climate and joking about the “absurdity” of Hollywood’s wealth in an election year, while largely avoiding overtly partisan commentary.
Historic wins and firsts
Several awards marked significant milestones for representation and recognition.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman and the first woman of color to win Best Cinematography for Sinners. In her speech, she called attention to what she described as the industry’s “celluloid ceiling,” inviting women across all production roles to stand in recognition of their contributions.
Jessie Buckley became the first Irish woman to win Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, while Cassandra Kulukundis received the inaugural Academy Award for Achievement in Casting for One Battle After Another, reflecting growing recognition of behind-the-scenes roles.
In music, “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters became the first K-pop song to win Best Original Song.
In a rare outcome, The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva shared the award for Best Live Action Short Film, marking the seventh tie in Academy Awards history.
Speeches, tributes and political messages
The ceremony was marked by emotional speeches and increasingly overt political expression.
Michael B. Jordan received a standing ovation for his Best Actor win in Sinners, delivering a speech that paid tribute to pioneering Black actors including Sidney Poitier and Halle Berry.
The most prominent political theme of the night centered on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Accepting the award for The Shadow of Peace, director Hany Abu-Assad called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, drawing a strong response from the audience.
Advocacy extended beyond the stage. Dozens of attendees, including Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali, wore “Artists4Ceasefire” pins, ensuring the humanitarian crisis remained visible throughout the ceremony.
Environmental concerns also surfaced during the broadcast. While presenting Best Visual Effects, Leonardo DiCaprio departed from prepared remarks to urge the industry to adopt “100% green sets” and to emphasize the urgency of climate legislation.
The introduction of the Best Casting category was framed by presenters as recognition of “invisible laborers” in Hollywood, signaling a broader shift toward acknowledging the structural work behind diverse on-screen representation.
The ceremony also included notable tributes. Billy Crystal led a personal “In Memoriam” segment honoring Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, joined by actors from Reiner’s films. Barbra Streisand delivered a tribute to Robert Redford, including a brief rendition of The Way We Were.
Reunions and cultural moments
The evening featured several nostalgic and widely shared moments.
The cast of Bridesmaids reunited to mark the film’s 15th anniversary, while Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. appeared together on stage in a reunion that drew strong audience reaction.
Anna Wintour and Anne Hathaway presented together in character as a nod to the upcoming sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2, with Wintour humorously referring to Hathaway as “Emily.”
Viewership declines as digital engagement rises
The 2026 ceremony drew 17.86 million viewers across ABC and Hulu, representing a roughly 9 percent decline from the previous year’s 19.69 million, which had marked a post-pandemic high. The figure makes this the least-watched Oscars broadcast since 2022.
Despite the drop in traditional viewership, digital engagement increased significantly. Social media impressions rose by 42.4 percent year-on-year to more than 184 million, while official Academy platforms generated over 129 million video views during the event.
The broadcast also comes during the final years of the Academy’s agreement with ABC and Hulu. Beginning in 2029, with the 101st Academy Awards, the ceremony is set to move exclusively to YouTube.
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