Leonardo DiCaprio captured attention on the red carpet at the 2026 Oscars with a striking new appearance featuring darker hair and a prominent mustache. The 51-year-old actor, nominated for Best Actor in One Battle After Another, arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles wearing a classic tuxedo.
Red Carpet Transformation Sparks Buzz
DiCaprio’s makeover prompted widespread surprise among fans, who flooded social media with reactions. Many highlighted the mustache, nicknaming it a ‘porn stache’ and joking that Pedro Pascal, who appeared clean-shaven, had loaned it to him. One viewer tweeted: ‘Leonardo DiCaprio stole Pedro Pascal’s mustache and the ceremony hasn’t even started yet, I’m not ready.’ Another posted: ‘Pedro Pascal gave his mustache to Leonardo DiCaprio! #Oscars.’
Additional comments included: ‘Leonardo DiCaprio has a mustache and Pedro Pascal is clean shaven,’ and comparisons to comedian Shane Gillis. Some praised the look, with one fan stating: ‘He’s actually attractive for an old man.’ Others celebrated his style: ‘Leonardo DiCaprio owns the red carpet—classic black tux, bow tie, and that bold mustache giving major leading-man swagger. Timeless yet fresh; he’s ready to take home the gold.’
DiCaprio later joined his girlfriend, Vittoria Ceretti, in the audience, though discussions centered on his bold change.
2026 Oscars Overview
Conan O’Brien hosted the event for the second consecutive year, succeeding Jimmy Kimmel. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners topped nominations with a record 16, including Best Picture. The film, set in 1930s Mississippi, follows twin brothers played by Michael B. Jordan confronting supernatural evil.
Best Picture Nominees
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Train Dreams
Best Actor Race
The category features Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent). Chalamet led early awards, but Jordan gained momentum with a win at the Actor Awards.
One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, earned 13 nominations. It stars DiCaprio as a former revolutionary rescuing his daughter from a corrupt officer played by Sean Penn.
Best Actress and Other Key Categories
Jessie Buckley leads Best Actress for Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s family life. Competitors include Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Emma Stone (Bugonia).
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein received nine nominations, with Jacob Elordi nominated for Supporting Actor as the Creature. Sentimental Value also garnered nine nods.
Notable Snubs
Ariana Grande faced backlash after missing Supporting Actress for Wicked: For Good, which received no nominations despite Cynthia Erivo’s performance. Gwyneth Paltrow was overlooked for Marty Supreme. Supporting Actor snubs included Paul Mescal (Hamnet), Adam Sandler (Jay Kelly), and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia).
New Best Casting Award
The Academy introduced Best Casting, with nominees Nina Gold (Hamnet), Jennifer Venditti (Marty Supreme), Cassandra Kulukundis (One Battle After Another), Gabriel Domingues (The Secret Agent), and Francine Maisler (Sinners).
Full 2026 Oscars Nominees
Best Supporting Actress
- Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
- Amy Madigan – Weapons (Winner)
- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
- Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Actor
- Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
- Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
- Delroy Lindo – Sinners
- Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Best Director
- Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
- Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
- Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
- Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
- Ryan Coogler – Sinners
The ceremony aired live on ABC at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, streaming on Hulu and other platforms.
