Oscars end on a bizarre note after Best Picture isn't presented last

Academy Awards
(Image credit: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

The 2021 Oscars did turn out to have a shocking conclusion — but not because of what film won Best Picture.

At Sunday's Academy Awards, Nomadland took the Oscar for Best Picture, as had been widely predicted. But there was still a shocker involved with this category. Despite the fact that Best Picture has in the past been presented at the very end of the show seeing as it's, you know, the top prize of the night, it was actually presented third to last, being handed out prior to Best Actress and Best Actor.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.