Before the winners were announced and the red-carpet moments went viral, curiosity was already shaping the story of the 2026 Oscars. Through the Question of the Day (QOTD), Ipsos iSay members and visitors revealed which films, performances, and standout moments had them talking during the ceremony, highlighting what captured attention and sparked conversation this year.
But how did those predictions compare to the actual winners?
The Film That Quietly Took the Lead…
Ipsos iSay’s 2026 Question of the Day (QOTD) poll results show that audience curiosity doesn’t always match the headlines. When asked which Oscar-nominated film they were most curious to see, Frankenstein led with 20.2% of votes, followed by Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, at 18.9%. Hamnet captured 14.2%, while One Battle After Another drew 9.4%.
Interestingly, 37.4% of members and visitors selected “Other / I haven’t heard of any,” showing a strong appetite for discovery beyond the most talked-about nominees.
In the actual Oscars, One Battle After Another won Best Picture, despite ranking fourth in audience curiosity.
Meanwhile, Sinners won Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan) and Best Adapted Screenplay, and Frankenstein won Best Production Design and Best Costume Design, aligning closely with the films that had already captured the attention of members and visitors.
This shows that while curiosity can hint at buzz, the Academy sometimes surprises and sometimes validates audience interest.
One Name Everyone Recognized…
Performance-wise, the Ipsos iSay 2026 QOTD polls revealed a clear star favorite.
Leonardo DiCaprio led with 31.1% of respondents saying they would watch his performance in One Battle After Another first. Other top choices included Timothée Chalamet (11.9%), Ethan Hawke (11.6%), and Jessie Buckley (10.9%). A sizeable 34.5% selected “Other / I’m not sure,” indicating interest in performances beyond the biggest stars.
Looking at the winners, Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners and Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for Hamnet.
While DiCaprio generated the most pre-ceremony curiosity, the actual wins show that audience interest can align with standout performances, but the Oscars still hold surprises.
The Moment People Didn’t Scroll Past…
After the 2026 Oscars, Ipsos iSay asked members and visitors which moment caught their attention the most.
Michael B. Jordan winning Best Actor for Sinners was the most noticed highlight at 15% of votes. The broader success of films like Sinners and Frankenstein across multiple categories followed at 9.5%, while Best Picture winner One Battle After Another was highlighted by 8%.
Jessie Buckley’s Best Actress win for Hamnet attracted 5.9% of votes.
Interestingly, 61.6% of Ipsos iSay members said “Other / I didn’t follow the ceremony,” showing that while many were curious about the Oscars, their attention often focused on the performances and moments that felt most memorable.
It Was Never Just About the Awards…
Ipsos iSay Question of the Day results reveal a bigger story: the 2026 Oscars captivated members and visitors through curiosity, star power, and memorable moments.
From Frankenstein and Sinners to the draw of Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan, the ceremony was more than trophies. The comparison between pre-ceremony curiosity and actual winners shows how audiences follow both their favorites and unexpected successes, highlighting the films, performances, and moments people truly care about.
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*These results represent Ipsos iSay web visitors in Europe and North America, conducted March 10 - 17, 2026, and may not reflect the views of the general population.
