Conan O’Brien left a goofy, self-aware note for everyone in their Oscars' snack boxes

The 98th Academy Awards or the Oscars 2026, held on March 15, saw stars and A-listers make their way to see who won the prestigious awards. Additionally, marking another tradition were Conan O’Brien’s snack boxes with a goofy note, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The comedian, who has consecutively hosted the Oscars for the second time this year, didn't fail to impress the audience by turning simple snacks into something fun with his little messages. This year, too, he included a sketch of himself along with a welcome and self-aware note in the boxes, as shared in a post on X by entertainment journalist Matthew Belloni. It’s a trick worth looking forward to. 

A 2026 report from The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” bagged six Oscars, Michael B. Jordan took home the award for his work in “Sinners,” but what took the smiles of many was O’Brien’s lighthearted note. The custom follows a basic 'snack box' kept under each attendee's seat.

This year’s items were popcorn, a bottle of water, and a few mints. Along with it was the note that read, “Dear Nominee/Plus-one/Seat-filler, welcome to The Oscars!” He then mentioned what was on everyone’s mind — that the snacks “may not be much.” 

With his charm, he turned the seemingly boring box into something interesting. Calling it the “Conan O’Brien ‘Moderately Happy Meal,’” he added that even though it’s basic, any theatre would charge the audience $85 for it. Concluding, he wished everyone luck and encouraged them to enjoy the event.

“Loud, enthusiastic laughter is good for your health and my ego,” he wrote. And of course, the note ended with his goofy sketch and signature. As Belloni clearly stated in his caption, “Conan’s note in the Oscars snack box doesn't disappoint.” Even last year, the comedian turned simple Swedish fish and pretzels into a fun box with his humor. 

“I hope you enjoy these complimentary snacks. I tried my best to include a gummy, but Disney said that was a ‘hard pass,’” he wrote. In a post shared by Entertainment Weekly, an unboxing revealed everything else in the neatly packaged box.

It included a note about the Golden Performance, O’Brien’s note, the popcorn (health-conscious ones), and the mints and waters as mentioned. The snacks may not serve as expected, but the tradition is a generous and fun one. Four-time Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel brought a spark to this tradition back in 2018, according to PEOPLE. He upped the game of making the snack boxes something to talk about by adding a note.  

The host gifted the boxes to the stars and ensured that each year was memorable. In 2024, he left many impressed with an illustrated sticker of himself on top of the box, followed by a quirky and thoughtful note. The candy, pretzels, and water offered that year also came with comforting news. Kimmel began the note saying, “No host = no snacks,” and there’s some truth to that since he had been generously gifting the boxes to the stars for the night. He also added to the generosity. “To keep the karma flowing, we donated on your behalf to the St. Joseph’s Center," he wrote. 

You’ve got the savory, the sweet, and the water, but the choice you make says a lot about your personality. A study by Science Direct revealed that people who opt for sweeter items tend to have a more “agreeable” nature. The study sampled people from China, Germany, Mexico, and the U.S. and found consistent results. It revealed that those who had a preference for sweeter items also had a higher score in “agreeableness.”

While the comedian’s note made for an interesting addition, people had mixed views about the food items that were supposed to keep the stars energized. @katchung_17 said, “I’d have low blood sugar all night.” @deanna_scarlett complimented the decision of the mints, “Raisinets get stuck in the teeth. Junior Mints do not, and they have some fresh breath.”

More on Scoop Upworthy 

'Popcorn Guy' mesmerizes the internet with serving skills, gets invited to the Oscars by Jimmy Kimmel

Health expert wants people to refuse complimentary snacks served at restaurant for scientific reason

Twins almost ordered snacks worth $800 using mom's grocery delivery app. Instacart gifted them the snacks