- Primary Subject: The 98th Academy Awards (2026 Oscars)
- Key Update: This guide breaks down the most memorable moments of the 98th Academy Awards, from historic Sinners victories to the first-ever K-Pop Oscar win.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: March 16, 2026
- Quick Answer: The 98th Oscars celebrated One Battle After Another as Best Picture, featured Michael B. Jordan’s first Best Actor win, and saw K-Pop’s first-ever Academy Award victory.
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony was a landmark night for cinema. Defined by historic milestones and a roster of deeply deserving winners, the evening produced a series of defining moments that immediately set social media ablaze and solidified its place in Oscar history.
One Battle After Another dominated the night with six wins, including Best Picture, where it was perceived to be the frontrunner throughout the awards season, despite Sinners receiving the most nominations.
Here are the memorable moments in the 98th Academy Awards ceremony.
Conan O'Brien's Hilarious Cold Open
The ceremony kicked off with a riotous cold open that saw host Conan O’Brien donning a wig and dress to parody the climax of the 2025 horror breakout Weapons. Playing the character of Aunt Gladys, Conan found himself in a chase where he was pursued by a mob of children through the most iconic sets of the year's Best Picture contenders.
The sequence featured seamless "cameos" in films ranging from Sinners to KPop Demon Hunters, with Conan’s signature self-deprecating wit. This breathless pursuit finally spilled out of the pre-taped segment and directly onto the Dolby Theatre stage, officially marking the start of the 98th Oscars with an energy that set social media ablaze.
"I Lied to You" Performance
The "I Lied to You" musical number from Sinners remains one of the most culturally dominant movie sequences of 2025, and its high-stakes energy was meticulously recreated on the Dolby stage. Miles Caton commanded the spotlight with a powerhouse live performance that captured the dark, infectious charisma that made the original scene a viral sensation.
This electric rendition successfully translated the film's cinematic magic into a live setting, proving to the global audience exactly why the track earned its spot in the Best Original Song category. By the time the final notes echoed through the theater, it was clear that this show-stopping moment would go down as a definitive highlight of the 98th Academy Awards.
Emotional In Memoriam Segment
The ceremony featured an expanded "In Memoriam" segment that allowed for a more profound and unhurried tribute to the towering legacies of legends such as Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton, and Robert Redford. The sequence opened with a poignant reflection from Billy Crystal, who offered a deeply personal look at the life and enduring influence of his longtime friend and collaborator, Reiner.
The evening's emotional weight continued to build as Rachel McAdams took the stage to honor Keaton’s singular talent and the trailblazing comedic wit that redefined the leading lady for generations. In a breathtaking finale, Barbra Streisand delivered a final tribute to her The Way We Were co-star Robert Redford, capping the segment with a tear-jerking performance of their iconic title theme that left audiences in hushed awe.
Grogu's Scene-Stealing Appearance
Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver took the stage to present the awards for Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects, but the spotlight was quickly hijacked by a surprise cameo from the audience. The Mandalorian and Grogu star, Grogu himself, became the instant darling of the telecast as he was spotted hilariously perched in a seat right beside Kate Hudson.
While the bit served as an undeniable marketing beat for the upcoming film, the sheer charm of the fan-favorite character kept the room from feeling cynical. The crowd in the Dolby Theatre and viewers at home were left in total awe, proving that even a blatant promo can work when it involves the most adorable force in the galaxy.
Historic Best Cinematography Win
Autumn Durald Arkapaw shattered the glass ceiling, becoming the first woman, the first woman of color, and the first Filipino-American to ever win Best Cinematography for her breathtaking work on Sinners. The Dolby Theatre erupted into a thunderous standing ovation for the history-making moment, marking a definitive turning point in the Academy's history.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Arkapaw expressed deep gratitude to director Ryan Coogler, her dedicated crew, and her family for their unwavering support throughout her career. In a powerful gesture of solidarity, she called upon every woman in the audience to stand with her, creating a visual testament to the future of representation in Hollywood.
"Golden" Performance
The singing voices behind HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami) electrified the Dolby Theatre with a high-octane performance of the global sensation "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters. The grand production was a vibrant celebration of Korean culture, blending traditional aesthetics with modern pop energy for the visually stunning number.
It culminated in a landmark achievement, as "Golden" secured the Oscar for Best Original Song, marking the first time in history that a K-Pop track has taken home the Academy Award. This historic victory signaled a massive shift for the genre on the global stage, proving that the infectious power of K-Pop is now officially inseparable from the cinematic world.
Michael B. Jordan's Best Actor Victory
Michael B. Jordan reached a career-defining milestone by securing his first-ever Academy Award for Best Actor, recognized for his tour-de-force dual performance in Sinners. Although he entered the night as a frontrunner, the victory felt hard-earned given the immense competition in what was widely considered the evening's most anticipated and stacked category.
Visibly stunned when his name was announced, Jordan accepted his statue to a thunderous standing ovation that echoed throughout the Dolby Theatre. During his moving speech, he expressed profound gratitude to his parents and the Sinners team (with a special nod to director Ryan Coogler) before taking a moment to honor the legacy of the Black performers who paved the way for his historic win.
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