The Oscars were held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Along with the many stunning outfits, Oscars were handed out left and right. Hosted by Conan O’Brian, for the award ceremony’s 98th year, the Oscars consisted of many surprises, twists, and turns. The night was full of comedic and suspenseful moments that kept the audience engaged from start to finish.
Immediately before the awards ceremony, the Oscars Red Carpet Show transforms the entrance of the Dolby Theater into a runway of camera flashes and couture. It invites celebrities to show off their looks along the velvet ropes with custom pieces from famous designers including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior. From sleek and clean silhouettes to beautiful beadwork and appliques, Anne Hathaway, Teyana Taylor, Emma Stone, Elle Fanning, Demi Moore, Rose Byrne, Zoe Saldaña, and Kate Hudson were among the night’s most remarkably dressed. Their dresses perfectly match the classic look the Oscar’s calls for. They felt an equal amount refreshing and familiar, allowing audiences to take in the work the designers had put so much time and effort into and honoring the timeless feel of Hollywood glamour.
As far as the awards go, Hollywood showed up in full force at the Oscars, celebrating the films and performances of the year. Michael B. Jordan won best actor and Jessie Buckly won best actress. The movie “Sinners” was nominated for 16 Academy Awards, breaking the record for the most nominations. By the end of the ceremony, the film “One Battle After Another” won the most Oscars of the year, taking home six awards in total. In addition, the ceremony itself was filled with emotional speeches and standout performances.
This year, there was a 9% drop in viewership from 2025, which may point towards a need for better engagement with audiences. Whether it is due to the increase of short-form videos people view instead of the Oscars, or the overall lack of connection between mainstream audiences and the types of films the Academy tends to honor, the show’s popularity in the future is being questioned more than ever. In comparison, the 1998 Oscars was the most viewed Academy Awards, drawing in over 53 million viewers from around the country, while the most recent Oscars had around 17.9 million viewers. The Oscars have always been a celebration of film, but continuing on that legacy may mean adapting to modern audiences without losing the ceremony’s elegance and classic sophistication.
The Oscars continue to define the celebration of cinema, even as they navigate the challenges of a new age of social media in an ever-changing entertainment landscape. However, will they be able to adapt quickly enough to remain culturally relevant, or will they risk fading into a relic of Hollywoods past.
