Workers install an Oscar statue Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, in preparation for Sunday's 98th Academy Awards ceremony. (AP Photo)
The 98th Academy Awards delivered a night of major victories, emotional speeches and historic milestones as Hollywood gathered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the year’s best films. Hosted once again by comedian Conan O'Brien, the ceremony balanced humor, heartfelt tributes and political undertones, reflecting the power of cinema in turbulent times.
At the center of the celebration was One Battle After Another, which emerged as the night’s biggest winner. The film claimed six Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture prize, as well as Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and several technical honors. Not far behind was the genre-bending hit Sinners, which secured four awards and solidified its place as one of the year’s most influential films.
A Big Win for ‘One Battle After Another’
Few films dominated the Oscars stage the way One Battle After Another did. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the drama impressed Academy voters with its ambitious storytelling and emotional depth.
The film took home the Best Picture trophy, joining the ranks of legendary Oscar winners that have earned at least six awards in a single year. Anderson also won Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, an honor he received for reworking the story from Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland.
The cast and crew of One Battle After Another celebrate its best picture win at Oscars 2026.
During his acceptance speech, Anderson reflected on the meaning behind the film. He said he wrote the story partly as an apology to younger generations for the state of the world they are inheriting.
The film also earned the inaugural Oscar for Best Casting, awarded to casting director Cassandra Kulukundis. The newly introduced category recognizes the crucial role casting directors play in shaping a film’s ensemble.
‘Sinners’ Turns Strong Nominations Into Wins
While One Battle After Another dominated the final tally, Sinners also had a major presence throughout the night.
The film earned 16 nominations — the most ever received by a single film in Oscar history — and converted several of them into wins. Among its biggest triumphs was Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, who delivered a powerful performance portraying twin brothers in the film’s supernatural narrative.
Jordan’s victory sparked one of the loudest reactions of the night. In the press room, reporters greeted him with a standing ovation before he could even begin answering questions.
Sinners winners: Ryan Coogler for screenplay, Ludwig Goransson for score, Autumn Durald Arkapaw for cinematography and Michael B. Jordan for best actor. Reuters
During his speech, Jordan credited the many mentors and industry figures who supported him throughout his career. He described the award as both humbling and meaningful, noting that his journey in Hollywood had been shaped by people who believed in him early on.
Sinners also secured the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for director Ryan Coogler. The filmmaker used his speech to thank the cast and crew who helped bring the project to life, urging them to stand up and share in the recognition.
Jessie Buckley’s Emotional Best Actress Moment
Another highlight of the evening came when Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet.
Buckley became the first Irish actor to win the award, an achievement she described as deeply personal. Her family, seated high in the mezzanine of the theater, waved enthusiastically as she thanked them during her acceptance speech.
The actor credited her parents for encouraging her creativity and teaching her to follow her own path.
Buckley also reflected on the lineage of strong women in her family, saying her win represented the perseverance and imagination passed down through generations.
Jessie Buckley celebrates her win for best actress with her co-star in Hamnet, Paul Mescal. Getty Images.
Historic Cinematography Win
One of the most historic moments of the night came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the Oscar for Best Cinematography for Sinners.
Her victory made her the first woman and the first Black cinematographer to win the award in the Academy’s nearly century-long history.
During her speech, Arkapaw invited the women in the audience to stand, emphasizing the importance of support and advocacy in an industry that has long struggled with gender equality.
She said the award was not just a personal achievement but also a moment meant to inspire future generations of filmmakers.
Best actress Jessie Buckley, best actor Michael B. Jordan, and best actress in a supporting role, Amy Madigan. Sean Penn – winner of best actor in a supporting role - did not attend the ceremony. Shutterstock
Amy Madigan’s Long-Awaited Triumph
The night also brought a remarkable comeback story. Veteran actor Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons.
The win came 40 years after her first Oscar nomination, making it one of the longest gaps between nominations in Academy history.
Madigan’s performance as the eccentric Aunt Gladys had already become a fan favorite during awards season. Her acceptance speech was filled with humor and heartfelt thanks for the many people who helped shape her decades-long career.
Music, Performances and Cultural Celebration
Beyond the awards themselves, the Oscars featured several memorable performances.
The song “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters won Best Original Song. The performance by singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami blended modern pop with traditional Korean musical elements, creating one of the evening’s most energetic moments.
Rei Ami, from left, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna perform 'Golden' from "KPop Demon Hunters" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
Meanwhile, musician Raphael Saadiq delivered a powerful performance of “I Lied to You” from Sinners. The number featured an ensemble of performers and celebrated the influence of blues and Black music on modern American culture.
Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo and Juan Peralta win the Oscar for best sound for F1. Getty Images
Animation and Documentary Standouts
In the animation categories, KPop Demon Hunters continued its global success by winning Best Animated Feature. The film had already become one of the most streamed titles on Netflix and had gained a large international fan base.
The Best Animated Short award went to the Canadian film The Girl Who Cried Pearls, a touching story about love, sacrifice and greed.
In the documentary categories, Mr. Nobody Against Putin won Best Documentary Feature. The film follows a Russian teacher secretly documenting wartime propaganda inside his school.
The short documentary All the Empty Rooms also made a powerful impression. The film examines the emotional aftermath of school shootings in the United States through the preserved bedrooms of children who lost their lives.
Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones win the Oscar for best documentary short film for All the Empty Rooms.Photograph: Reuters
A Night of Tributes and Reflection
The ceremony also paused to honor influential figures who died over the past year.
Legendary singer and actor Barbra Streisand delivered a tribute to filmmaker and actor Robert Redford, praising his lifelong advocacy for artistic freedom and environmental protection.
The In Memoriam segment paid tribute to numerous figures across global cinema, highlighting the collective legacy of filmmakers who shaped the industry.
Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Jerry O’Connell, Wil Wheaton, Fred Savage, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Carol Kane, Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Kiefer Sutherland, Demi Moore, Kevin Pollak, Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga pay tribute to Rob and Michelle Reiner. Photograph: Getty Images
Conan O’Brien’s Humor Keeps the Night Moving
Throughout the nearly four-hour broadcast, host Conan O’Brien kept the ceremony lively with playful jokes and surreal skits.
In one pre-recorded segment, he imagined a future where classic films are redesigned specifically for smartphone viewing. The bit poked fun at modern viewing habits while celebrating the artistry of traditional filmmaking.
Academy Awards host Conan O'Brien poses atop a roll of red carpet during the annual Oscars red carpet roll out on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
The show concluded with another comedic twist: a mock segment suggesting O’Brien had been named the Oscars’ “Host for Life,” only to reveal a bizarre fictional plot involving his replacement.
Hollywood Celebrates at the Governors Ball
After the ceremony ended, winners and guests moved upstairs to the annual Governors Ball.
The celebration, catered by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, featured a lavish spread including sushi, wagyu beef, handmade desserts and plant-based dishes.
Guests mingled, toasted their victories and waited for their Oscar statuettes to be engraved with their names. The night ended with laughter, music and thousands of miniature chocolate Oscars handed out to attendees.
Workers install an Oscar statue Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, in preparation for Sunday's 98th Academy Awards ceremony. (AP Photo)
For many in Hollywood, the evening was not only about awards but also about the enduring magic of movies.
