Why We Watch: The Psychology Behind the Oscars Feeling Personal
On the power of movies in uncertain times
Every year, I look forward to the Oscars.
I pop popcorn. I mix a movie-themed drink. I fill out a ballot.
Sometimes I watch alone. Sometimes with friends.
Either way, it always brings up big emotions—celebration, frustration, indifference.
But why does it matter so much?
Why do movies—and the awards that celebrate them—feel personal, especially when the world feels unsteady?
When Things Are Uncertain, We Look for Story
In hard times, we turn to stories.
They offer meaning. Escape. A place to feel what we can’t always say out loud.
The Oscars aren’t just about art—they reflect the stories that shaped us over the past year.
So even if we know it’s a spectacle, the stakes still feel real.
Social Identity Theory: Why It Feels Like Our Team Lost
Watching the Oscars isn’t so different from watching sports.
We root for our favorites. We feel proud when they win. Frustrated when they don’t.
Psychologists Henri Tajfel and John Turner call this Social Identity Theory.1
We define ourselves through the groups we belong to—teams, parties, fandoms, even favorite films.
So when a movie we love wins, it feels validating.
And when it’s snubbed?
It can feel like something we value is being dismissed.
Why Movies Matter—Especially Now
Movies do more than entertain.
They help us process grief, imagine different futures, and hold hard emotions at a safe distance.
During the Great Depression, people packed into theaters for musicals and comedies.
After 9/11, superhero films surged.
Today, films about heartbreak, injustice, and resilience hit home because we’re living through those very things.
When a story resonates, it’s often because it reflects something we’re feeling.
So when the Oscars recognize that story, it feels like recognition for all of us.
The Oscars as the “End Scene” of Awards Season
The Academy Awards are the final act.
After months of nominations, speeches, and tributes—from the Globes to the SAGs to the BAFTAs—the Oscars are the last word.
Winners don’t just get a trophy.
They get a place in cultural memory.
That’s why these wins (and losses) carry more emotional weight.
They don’t just mark a moment—they define it.
A Shared Ritual in a Fragmented World
The Oscars also offer something we rarely get anymore: a shared moment.
In an era of infinite content and personalized feeds, this kind of cultural event brings people together—even just for a night.
Social Identity Theory helps explain this too.
When we join in on a collective conversation—about a win, a snub, or an awkward speech—it strengthens our sense of belonging.
Even disagreement can connect us.
Why It’s Okay to Care
It’s human to get invested.
Stories matter. Representation matters.
And caring about which ones get seen, honored, or ignored is part of caring about culture.
So cheer. Debate. Roll your eyes if you want.
But know this: these moments aren’t just Hollywood’s.
They’re ours too.
Because in the end, the Oscars aren’t just about film.
They’re about us—and the stories we carry through uncertain times.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J.C. (1979). An Integrative Theory of Intergroup Conflict.