Has there ever been a tie at the Oscars? Yes—and as of March 2026, the Academy Awards have officially recorded several ties, including a rare one at the 2026 ceremony. These moments remain some of the most unusual outcomes in Oscar history because the voting system rarely produces identical results.
At the 2026 Academy Awards, a tie occurred in the Best Live Action Short Film category. Two films—The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva—shared the Oscar after receiving the exact same number of votes from members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The unexpected result surprised audiences and reminded viewers that ties, while possible, remain extremely rare in Oscar history.
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How a Tie Happens at the Oscars
The Academy Awards are decided by votes from thousands of industry professionals who belong to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Members vote in each category, and the nominee with the most votes wins.
A tie occurs when two nominees receive the exact same highest vote total. When this happens, both winners receive an Oscar statuette and are recognized equally.
Earlier in Oscar history, the rules were slightly different. If a nominee finished within a few votes of the winner, the Academy sometimes declared a tie. Today, however, ties happen only when the vote count is exactly equal.
Because thousands of ballots are counted, identical totals are uncommon. That’s why ties remain among the rarest outcomes at the Academy Awards.
The Most Recent Tie at the 2026 Oscars
The 98th Academy Awards, held in March 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, produced the latest tie in Oscar history.
In the Best Live Action Short Film category, two winners were announced:
- The Singers
- Two People Exchanging Saliva
Presenter Kumail Nanjiani informed the audience that the announcement was not an error and confirmed that both films had tied in the final vote tally. Each team went on stage separately to accept its Oscar and deliver an acceptance speech.
The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the ceremony.
How Many Times Has the Oscars Ended in a Tie?
Ties at the Academy Awards are extremely rare. Before the 2026 ceremony, only six ties had occurred in Oscar history, which spans nearly a century.
With the addition of the 2026 tie, the total number of ties now stands at seven.
Every Confirmed Tie in Oscar History
Below is a timeline of the official Oscar ties.
| Year | Category | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Best Actor | Fredric March (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and Wallace Beery (The Champ) |
| 1950 | Best Documentary Short Subject | So Much for So Little and A Chance to Live |
| 1969 | Best Actress | Katharine Hepburn (The Lion in Winter) and Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl) |
| 1987 | Best Documentary Feature | Artie Shaw: Time Is All You’ve Got and Down and Out in America |
| 1995 | Best Live Action Short Film | Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life and Trevor |
| 2013 | Best Sound Editing | Zero Dark Thirty and Skyfall |
| 2026 | Best Live Action Short Film | The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva |
These ties span multiple categories, including acting, documentaries, and technical awards.
The Most Famous Oscar Tie
Among all ties, the 1969 Best Actress race remains the most famous.
Two legendary performers shared the award:
- Katharine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter
- Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl
Both actresses received exactly the same number of votes from Academy members. Streisand attended the ceremony and accepted the award, while Hepburn did not attend.
This moment still stands as the only tie in the Best Actress category.
Why Ties Are So Rare
Several factors make Oscar ties uncommon:
1. Large Voting Pool
Thousands of Academy members vote in each category, making identical totals unlikely.
2. Ranked Voting and Clear Winners
Many categories use systems that typically produce a clear leader.
3. Category Diversity
The Oscars include more than 20 competitive categories, spreading votes across many nominees.
Because of these factors, decades can pass without a tie.
For example, before the 2026 ceremony, the last tie happened in 2013, when Skyfall and Zero Dark Thirty shared the Best Sound Editing award.
What Happens When There Is a Tie
When two nominees tie, the Academy treats both as full winners.
That means:
- Each winner receives an Oscar statuette
- Both are listed as official winners in Academy records
- Both deliver acceptance speeches
There is no tie-breaker round or additional vote. The Academy simply recognizes both winners.
Why Oscar Ties Fascinate Fans
Oscar ties capture attention because they are so unusual. Award shows typically produce a single winner, so shared victories create memorable moments.
Fans also enjoy debating whether two nominees deserved to win equally. When ties occur, they often spark conversations about the competitive nature of film awards and the unpredictable results of Academy voting.
The 2026 tie in the Live Action Short Film category quickly became one of the standout talking points of the ceremony.
The Future of Oscar Ties
Given the Academy’s voting structure, ties will likely remain rare. However, as the 2026 ceremony demonstrated, they can still happen.
Each time the envelopes open and two winners are announced, the moment becomes part of Oscars history—reminding audiences that even the most prestigious awards can deliver surprises.
What do you think about Oscar ties—should the Academy allow shared winners, or should there always be one clear champion? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more updates from the world of film and awards.
