Oscars 2026: Why the 98th Academy Awards Broke the Internet

• The 98th Academy Awards, held March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, became a global trending event due to viral moments, historic wins, and controversies.
• Host Conan O’Brien’s satirical opening monologue, featuring jokes about Netflix chief Ted Sarandos and Timothée Chalamet, sparked widespread online debate.
• Historic wins included Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman to win Best Cinematography, and Sinners receiving a record 16 nominations.
• Emotional speeches by winners like Michael B. Jordan, nostalgic reunions (Bridesmaids, Anna Wintour with Anne Hathaway), and a rare tie for Best Live Action Short (The Singers, Two People Exchanging Saliva) fueled online discussions.
• Controversies, such as criticism of the In Memoriam segment and further jokes targeting Timothée Chalamet, kept the ceremony trending long after its broadcast.