Oscars 2026 live: Red carpet fashion, Rose Byrne, Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman arrive for 98th Academy Awards

You can always trust Conan O’Brien to be up for anything.

He kicked off the ceremony with a wild stunt dressed as Aunt Gladys from Weapons and being chased by rabid kids, running through scenarios from many of the nominated films this year, including One Battle After Another, KPop Demon Hunters, Sentimental Value, Marty Supreme and Sinners.

“Hey, I’m Conan O’Brien and I’m honoured to be the last human host of the Oscars. Next year, it’s going to be a Waymo in a tux.”

O’Brien immediately kicks off with a jibe at Timothee Chalamet, “Security is etxremely tight tonight. Just got to mention that. I’m told they’re concerned about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.”

He also took a shot at Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos - “It’s his first time in a theatre!” - and at the right-wing response to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show - “Tonight could get political, and if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock”.

He made good on his promise to be political with this zinger, “It’s the first time since 2012 that there are no British actors nominated for best actor or best actress. A British spokesperson said, ‘Yeah, at least we arrest our pedophiles.”

Turning serious for a moment, O’Brien struck a moment for unity and art. “Tonight is an international event. Everyone watching right now, around the world, is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times.

“It took moments like these that I believe that the Oscars are particularly resonant. Check it out - 31 countries, across six continents, are represented this evening.

“And every film, every film we salute is the product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty. We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of local artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today, optimism.

“So let us, please, celebrate.”

Actress Emma Stone has gone for business in the front, party in the back, showing off her frame in a backless dress.

Actress Renate Reinsve, who is up for best actress (Sentimental Value), looked like a piece of the red carpet as she hit the red carpet for the Oscars.

Mother-daughter duo Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson have arrived on the red carpet for the Oscars.

It is a big night for Hawn who is nominated for best actress (Song Sung Blue).

Australian actor Nicole Kidman has stunned the red carpet at the Oscars.

The star, who recently went through a very public split from Keith Urban, looked absolutely glowing as she stepped out in full glamour.

Actress Elle Fanning, the younger sister of Dakota Fanning, looked ready for her wedding as she arrived in an all-white gown.

The Substance star Demi Moore has arrived in a dramatic green and black feathered gown.

Moore, who is known to deliver incredible looks on the red carpet, did not disappoint this year.

Hamnet star Jessie Buckley, who is considered the frontrunner for the best actress award at tonight’s Oscars, has arrived wearing a flowing pink-and-red strapless gown.

The star accessorised the dress with a simple silver and pearl necklace, earrings, and a ring.