It wouldn’t really be the Oscars if there wasn’t some sort of on-stage slip-up or gaffe, would it?

This year’s bungle – missed by absolutely no one, we might add – saw legendary actor Al Pacino prematurely announce the Academy Award for Best Picture in what some people are referring to as the biggest mistake since the La La Land/Moonlight mixup of 2016.

When called upon to present the award for Best Picture, Al Pacino skipped over the nominees entirely – no small error given that Best Picture is largely considered the biggest of all the awards to be handed out.

Now, unless you’re a complete stranger to awards season in the film industry, you’ll be familiar with how standard operating procedure works relating to the presenting of awards.

The presenter – usually a high-profile name within the industry – takes to the stage and first reads the nominations for the category in question. This is not only to remind people of who’s in with a chance of winning, but also to ensure that each and every nominee is given their rightful recognition.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Al Pacino speaks onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
At last night’s 96th Academy Awards, however, actor Al Pacino leapt over that pivotal part of the process, instead opening the envelope and announcing Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer as the winner in the Best Picture category instead.

In addition to Best Picture, Oppenheimer took home six additional awards last night, including those of Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor.

Pacino’s premature announcement was a major talking point last night, with internet users unable to keep themselves from commenting. It should be noted that most people saw the mistake through a humorous lens.

“Al Pacino creating a Moonlight/La La Land moment while still reading the right name. Master class,” one person wrote.

A second added: “Whatever just happened with the Best Picture presentation wasn’t a La La Land/Moonlight screwup, but Pacino just blurting out ‘I see Oppenheimer here!’ was definitely not how it was supposed to go.”

A third joked: “If Al Pacino said the winner was La La Land that would have been the best moment of the night.”

The La La Land references hark back to 2016, when the award for Best Picture was wrongly announced as going to La La Land instead of Moonlight. Making matters worse, people were in the middle of acceptance speeches when the mistake was relayed.

As per reports, on that occasion the announcer had been given the envelope for Best Actress (won by Emma Stone in La La Land) instead of that of Best Picture.

Did you watch this year’s Academy Awards? If so, what was your favorite moment?