For decades, the Academy Awards represented the pinnacle of Hollywood glamour. The Oscars weren’t just an event—they were a cultural phenomenon. Back in 1998, over 55 million people tuned in to witness the ceremony. But in recent years, that iconic status has crumbled, with ratings hitting a historic low of just 9 million viewers in 2020. What happened to Hollywood’s biggest night? A combination of outdated practices, credibility crises, scandal after scandal, and changing cultural habits have pushed the Oscars to the brink of irrelevance.

A loss of credibility

One of the Academy’s most persistent issues is its history of snubbing universally acclaimed films and choosing “safe” or politically-driven winners. The list of questionable decisions goes back decades. In 1980, Martin Scorsese’s classic Raging Bull lost Best Picture to Ordinary People, a film widely regarded as competent yet far less influential. Similarly, in 1999, Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, a visceral war drama hailed as a masterpiece, was defeated by Shakespeare in Love, courtesy of an aggressive campaign led by Harvey Weinstein.

Even in recent years, the Oscars have struggled to recognize culturally significant films. Licorice Pizza, a critical darling, lost the 2022 Best Picture award to CODA, a sweet but ultimately forgettable film that faded from public memory almost immediately after its win. Such decisions highlight a recurring problem: when the Academy chooses convenience or political correctness over genuine impact, it loses the trust of both industry professionals and audiences.

This lack of credibility extends beyond films. Some of cinema’s most groundbreaking directors have been repeatedly overlooked. Alfred Hitchcock never won a competitive Oscar. Stanley Kubrick didn’t even receive that consolation. Today, Quentin Tarantino, despite being celebrated as a screenwriter, is still largely ignored for his directing achievements. Popular genres—horror, comedy, sci-fi—rarely receive the same recognition as more conventional dramas.

Scandals and lost dignity

While credibility has steadily eroded, the Oscars’ reputation has also been punctured by scandal. Some moments were harmless yet embarrassing, such as the infamous streaker incident at the 1974 ceremony. Others, like the botched Best Picture announcement in 2017, where La La Land was declared the winner instead of the actual victor, Moonlight, showcased unprofessionalism on a global stage.

Then there are the darker controversies. The early 2000s saw the Oscars become associated with aggressive and questionable campaigning tactics, most notoriously employed by Harvey Weinstein. The events of 2022, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on live television over a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, further marked a turning point. The slap dominated global headlines, yet for all the wrong reasons—it converted what was supposed to be a celebration of cinema into a viral meme. Instead of drawing attention to cinema, it emphasized the Oscars as an unpredictable, chaotic spectacle.

An outdated cultural institution

The most significant challenge for the Oscars is perhaps their struggle to stay relevant in the digital age. The ceremony belongs to an era where television was the primary form of entertainment for families, beginning in the 1950s. It reached its zenith in 1998, buoyed by the immense popularity of Titanic and its once-in-a-lifetime ensemble cast. But that era has passed, and television itself is no longer the centerpiece of the modern household.

Streaming platforms like Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube have completely transformed how people consume entertainment. The Oscars remain a glitzy, hours-long ceremony—a format directly at odds with today’s on-demand and fast-paced consumption habits. People used to tune in for their favorite stars, but the rise of franchises over individual performers has further diluted the appeal. Audiences are more likely to care about Captain America as a character than the actor playing him.

Then there’s the pandemic, which forced the closure of theaters and pushed studios to delay major releases. This further fractured the Academy’s connection to the audience. When the 2021 ceremony was downsized with minimal celebrity presence, it emphasized just how dependent the Oscars are on star power.

The failure to innovate

Perhaps the Oscars’ greatest irony is its lack of creativity. An event designed to celebrate artistry and innovation has relied on increasingly stale formats. The hunt for the perfect host has, for years, turned into a series of missteps. Billy Crystal’s charm defined the ceremony in the 1990s, but failed experiments with hosts like James Franco and Anne Hathaway, or controversial moments such as Kevin Hart’s withdrawal, have made the Oscars feel more out of touch than ever.

Even when the Academy announced efforts to modernize, like creating the since-abandoned “Popular Film” category in 2018, these changes were met with criticism for misunderstanding both the audience and the essence of the ceremony. Instead of addressing the root issues, such attempts only reinforced the perception that the Oscars were flailing to remain relevant.

Can the Oscars bounce back?

The question remains whether Hollywood’s most prestigious event can revitalize itself. Competing awards ceremonies, like the Golden Globes or even viewers’ choice awards, don’t seem to face the same scrutiny or declining relevance. One potential path forward is for the Academy to embrace its role as a celebration of cinema, irrelevant of genre, box office stats, or political correctness. Films like Everything Everywhere All at Once prove that critical acclaim and popular appeal are not mutually exclusive.

Another step may involve reimagining the broadcast itself. Instead of a drawn-out three-hour show, the ceremony could adopt shorter, punchier formats with a stronger focus on digital engagement. Social media, for all its faults, wields unparalleled power in keeping events culturally relevant—a power the Oscars have failed to harness successfully.

Finally, the Academy must confront its biases by setting clearer and fairer award criteria. That means maintaining voting secrecy but also ensuring campaigns don’t overshadow artistic merit. It’s not enough to fix technical glitches or security mishaps—the Oscars must strive to regain the audience’s trust.

The Oscars once brought movie lovers together, igniting passionate debates and showcasing the very best in filmmaking. Whether it can recapture that magic or fade quietly into obscurity is a question only time—and perhaps, effort—can answer.