The 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, saw a historic tie in Best Live Action Short Film between “Two People Exchanging Saliva” and another entry—the first such outcome since 1965.
Historic Ties Overview
Over 98 years, the Academy recorded seven ties across categories like 1932 Best Director (Frank Borzage/Lewis Milestone), 1950 Best Actor (Fredric March/José Ferrer), 1968 Best Supporting Actress (Barbra Streisand/Ruth Gordon), and 1991 Best Cinematography (Erik Blokuv/Robert Richardson). Ties occur when votes split exactly, requiring identical points under preferential ballot rules.
2026 Ceremony Highlights
One Battle After Another dominated with six Oscars including Best Picture and Directing (Paul Thomas Anderson); Sinners took four (Michael B. Jordan Best Actor). Host Conan O’Brien noted the surprise tie during presenter Kumail Nanjiani’s announcement.
Significance
Ties highlight voting complexities; the short film category’s rarity underscores the event’s drama amid frontrunners like Sinners (16 nods).
