The Academy Awards (a.k.a. the Oscars) are an intriguing awards ceremony—often thought to be Hollywood's most prestigious night and an enormous honor for the nominees and winners, it's also known for some controversial decisions. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has gone through changes since its formation in the 1920s, but lots of cinephiles argue that more change needs to happen. Some of the biggest Academy Award controversies stem from certain movies winning over others—like when a movie that in retrospect doesn't seem that good wins Best Picture over a movie with a more longstanding and critically positive legacy. But of course, since this is a live ceremony, there are also a ton of things that can (and do) go wrong during the multi-hour-long ceremony, as you'll see.
Below, the 32 most controversial moments at the Oscars.
