The 2026 Oscars descended into controversy and confusion after a string of jaw-dropping moments left viewers reeling, from an offensive joke referencing Schindler’s List to a rare tie result and a no-show win from Sean Penn.
Held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the 98th Academy Awards was already one of the most closely watched ceremonies in recent years, with Sinners leading the race on a record-breaking 16 nominations and One Battle After Another following with 13. But as the night unfolded, it quickly became clear that it would not just be remembered for the winners.
One of the biggest flashpoints came when Kumail Nanjiani took to the stage to present Best Live Action Short Film. In a moment that immediately sparked backlash, he made a joke by replacing Schindler’s List with “Schindler Post It,” leaving many in the audience and at home stunned. The remark was swiftly condemned online, with one viewer writing that the joke was “not in any good taste,” while another pointed out that even the translator appeared to fall silent during the line.
The awkward mood only deepened seconds later when Nanjiani revealed that the category had ended in a tie. “And the Oscar goes to – it’s a tie! I’m not joking, it’s actually a tie,” he said. “Everyone, calm down, we’re going to get through this.” The Oscar was shared between The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva, marking only the seventh tie in Academy Awards history and adding another layer of chaos to an already turbulent evening.
Elsewhere, Sean Penn caused another stir by failing to appear after winning Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another. His absence prompted host Kieran Culkin to address the situation with a sharp line of his own, telling the audience: “Sean Penn couldn’t be here this evening or didn’t want to, so I’ll be accepting the award on his behalf,” before walking off stage. The moment instantly fuelled speculation and only intensified the sense that this year’s ceremony was slipping into unpredictability.
Despite the controversy, several major wins still shaped the night. One Battle After Another continued to dominate the ceremony, taking home multiple prizes as the biggest winner of the evening so far. Meanwhile, Sinners made a huge impression early on, collecting Best Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Cinematography.
That cinematography victory proved especially historic, with Autumn Durald becoming the first woman ever to win the Oscar in the category for her work on Sinners. The film’s momentum also kept attention firmly on Michael B. Jordan, who remained a strong favourite in the Best Actor race.
Other standout moments included a reunion of the Bridesmaids cast on stage, with Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper delighting the audience while presenting. Jimmy Kimmel also raised eyebrows with barbed jokes aimed at CBS and Donald Trump during the Best Documentary presentation, proving that the ceremony’s sharp-edged humour was not limited to one controversial moment.
Away from the stage, the high-profile event unfolded under unusually intense security. Reports of a possible retaliatory drone threat in California led to a significant law enforcement presence, including LAPD officers, drones and bomb-sniffing dogs around the venue.
There were also major musical and technical highlights throughout the show. Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, the voices behind Huntrix in KPop Demon Hunters, performed their hit Golden, while F1 picked up the Oscar for Achievement in Sound. Mr. Nobody Against Putin claimed Best Documentary Feature, and All the Empty Rooms won Best Documentary Short Film.
But for all the glamour, the 2026 Oscars may be remembered less for polished speeches and red-carpet triumphs than for the moments that made audiences gasp. Between the Holocaust joke backlash, the rare tie, and Sean Penn’s conspicuous absence, this year’s Academy Awards delivered a night of drama that was impossible to ignore.
