Demi Moore rocks peacock feathers and Jessie Buckley clashes colours on Oscars 2026 red carpet

Awards season reaches its grand finale tonight as the 2026 Oscars bring Hollywood’s biggest names together at the Dolby Theatre.

Conan O’Brien takes the helm for his second time hosting, with Ryan Coogler’s horror/action blockbuster Sinners leading the way with a record-breaking 16 nominations.

Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, and more industry titans will also battle it out in the acting categories, while Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, and Hamnet are among the big hitters hoping to reap rewards.

Before the ceremony kicks off, though, the evening’s first competition actually unfolds long before the envelopes are opened.

The red carpet is where stars make their earliest statement, and for many, it’s a chance to claim a victory in style even if the night’s trophies go elsewhere.

Early arrivals this year included a daring display from best actress contender Renate Reinsve, as the Norwegian starlet went bold with a super high leg split. In contrast, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You lead Rose Byrne wore a strapless black number pooling at her feet and adorned with floral embroidery.

Raye, aka the artist everyone is championing to sing the next James Bond soundtrack, also spread some love by flashing a hand heart to complement her red satin gown, while Robert Downey Jr. and his producer wife, Susan, put on a lovey-dovey display.

Soon enough, the main characters of the evening stepped out, with Hamnet lead Jessie Buckley, who plays Agnes, William Shakespeare’s wife, turning heads in a vibrant Chanel look.

The Irish movie star, also known for roles in Wicked Little Letters and I’m Thinking of Ending Things, beamed in her colour-clashing ensemble, a flowing pink skirt on her bottom half and a red top, which she teamed with matching lipstick.

Other dazzling arrivals came from Sinners star and supporting actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku in emerald sequins as she proudly cradled her baby bump. The Deadpool & Wolverine actress is expecting her second child with Tash Moseley.

Demi Moore got the green memo, too, seemingly channelling both reptile and peacock chic in half scales, half feathers with one of the most outlandish outfit choices of the night.

Her shimmering attire was designed by Gucci and had a dramatic train and neckline.

On the more demure side, Elle Fanning served ballerina elegance in a corset scattered with blossom embellishments, while Zoe Saldaña wore a black, lacy, lingerie-inspired dress.

We also had Bugonia’s Stone in sparkling silver, while Weapons villain Amy Madigan defied traditional red carpet glamour with her own quirkiness, her blazer made up of feathers and paired with tinted shades for a super cool edge.

For our leading men, Chalamet was flying solo on the carpet, forgoing the chance to pose alongside girlfriend Kylie Jenner in her risqué red look.

After a week of controversy for dissing opera and ballet, with many working in the arts believing the backlash has scuppered his best actor chances, he pivoted away from the classic black tux, wearing all white.

Also sporting a moustache and an unruly hairstyle, he completed his trendy vibe with boots and a collection of silver rings.

Someone who seldom strays from tradition, however, is DiCaprio, who rocked up in the black suit and bowtie he’s so famous for.

Mirroring his suaveness, Jacob Elordi was worlds away from The Creature, donning a suit with oversized lapels and a matching waistcoat.

And in one of the sweetest moments of tonight’s carpet, Swedish actor and Sentimental Value’s Stellan Skarsgård placed an arm around his wife, Megan Everett, whom he wed in 2009.

Closing out the film A-listers, award presenter Pedro Pascal put a stylish spin on a plain white shirt thanks to a floral accessory, while Ethan Hawke and his wife, Ryan, were the ultimate Hollywood ‘IT’ couple, she in a deep red gown and he in designer shades.

Later arrivals were Michael B. Jordan, hotly tipped to win big for Sinners and expected to be the main man of the night, while Paul Mescal and girlfriend Gracie Abrams continued their red carpet PDA parade in some affectionate posing.

As has become expected at major events in recent years, tonight also saw several attendees grasp the opportunity to make a political statement.

Polish-American costume designer Malgosia Turzanska, nominated for Hamnet, had an ‘ICE OUT’ pin on her dress, as did songstress Sara Bareilles, while Glennon Doyle took a more explicit approach, unashamedly carrying a ‘F**K ICE’ purse.

Their accessories made their red carpet debut amid continued outrage towards the US government’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) and its aggressive tactics, including lethal force.