Oscars 2026: The bewildering Oscars blunder from 9 years ago that may never be repeated

As the Academy Awards return in 2026, Hollywood once again prepares for its annual night of glamour, suspense, and the unpredictable drama that only live television can deliver. With comedian Conan O'Brien back to host the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 15, fans are eagerly waiting to see which films and stars will walk away with Oscar gold.

This year’s race features a strong lineup of contenders. Actors including Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), and Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another) are among those in the mix for major honours, adding to the anticipation surrounding the ceremony.

But if Oscar history has taught viewers anything, it’s that the most unforgettable moments don’t always come from the winners’ list. Sometimes, they come from the chaos.


In recent years, the Will Smith–Chris Rock Oscars slap has dominated conversations about shocking Oscar moments. Yet, had that incident never occurred, another unforgettable episode might still hold the crown as the most infamous moment in the nearly century-long history of the awards: the stunning La La Land–Moonlight Best Picture mix-up.

Also Read: Decades of fame, zero Oscars: Hollywood legends still without an Academy Award

When the Oscars announced the wrong best picture

The moment unfolded during the 2017 ceremony when presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway took the stage to announce the winner for Best Picture. At first everyone thought it was a joke.

There were two envelopes on stage, something that should never happen during the most important announcement of the night.

Beatty had unknowingly been handed the wrong envelope. When he opened it, he saw the card that read Emma Stone for Best Actress in La La Land, not the Best Picture result. Instead of immediately stopping the process, he hesitated, looked back inside the envelope, and then handed the card to Dunaway. Without realizing the mistake, she confidently announced La La Land as the winner.

For a few surreal minutes, it seemed perfectly plausible. After all, La La Land had dominated the nominations that year and had already won Best Director. In that context, the announcement didn’t initially raise alarm bells.

‘We lost, by the way’

The confusion only became clear once the producers of La La Land were on stage delivering their acceptance speeches. Then came the correction. Producer Fred Berger abruptly interrupted the moment, saying, “We lost, by the way, but you know.”

Watch the La La Land–Moonlight Best Picture mix-up:


Soon after, fellow producer Jordan Horowitz stepped forward to set the record straight, announcing that Moonlight, not La La Land, had actually won Best Picture.

The stunned crowd watched as the rightful winners came to the stage while the mistaken victors slowly stepped aside, a moment that remains both awkward and strangely fascinating to revisit.