Above: (L-R) Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler win Oscars for “Sinners”. Credit: Getty Images.
The 98th Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars 2026, honored the best films and achievements in the global film industry for movies released in 2025. The prestigious ceremony took place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States. Organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the event brought together filmmakers, actors, and artists from around the world to celebrate the achievements of the past year.
Ceremony Overview
The ceremony was hosted by popular comedian and television personality Conan O’Brien, who brought humor and energy to the event. The awards show was broadcast live on the television network ABC and was also available for online streaming on Hulu, allowing audiences across the world to watch the celebration of cinema.
During the event, the Academy presented awards in 24 different categories. These awards recognized excellence in many aspects of filmmaking, including acting, directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, visual effects, animation, and documentary filmmaking.
Biggest Winner of the Night
The film One Battle After Another became the biggest winner of the evening. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film won six Academy Awards, including the most prestigious honor, Best Picture.
Another major film of the year was Sinners, which received the highest number of nominations with sixteen and eventually won four Oscars.
Also Read: Grammy Winners 2026: Complete List of Award Winners
Major Awards
The Best Picture award is widely considered the most important honor at the Oscars because it recognizes the overall excellence of a film, including its story, direction, acting, and production. In 2026, the award went to One Battle After Another.
The film tells the story of a revolutionary figure who struggles with political conflict and personal challenges. Critics praised the movie for its powerful storytelling, strong performances, and impressive direction.
The Best Director award was also won by Paul Thomas Anderson for his work on One Battle After Another. The victory marked a significant milestone in his career, as he had previously been nominated several times but had never won an Oscar before.
Acting Awards
The Best Actor in a Leading Role award went to Michael B. Jordan for his performance in Sinners. His role required emotional intensity and dramatic depth, and the performance earned him his first Academy Award.
The Best Actress in a Leading Role award was won by Jessie Buckley for her role as Agnes in the historical drama Hamnet. Her performance was widely praised for its emotional strength and authenticity.
The Best Supporting Actor award was presented to Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another, marking his third Academy Award.
The Best Supporting Actress award went to Amy Madigan for her role in the horror film Weapons, which marked her first Oscar win.
Screenplay Awards
The Best Original Screenplay award was won by Ryan Coogler for Sinners, recognized for its originality and compelling storytelling.
The Best Adapted Screenplay award went to Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another, further strengthening the film’s success during the ceremony.
Technical and Production Awards
Several awards honored technical excellence in filmmaking. Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners, while Andy Jurgensen won Best Film Editing for One Battle After Another.
The film Frankenstein won three technical awards: Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
The racing drama F1 won the Best Sound award, while Avatar: Fire and Ash received the award for Best Visual Effects.
Animation, Documentary, and International Awards
The animated film KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature and also won Best Original Song for the song “Golden,” becoming the first K-pop song to win an Oscar.
The Norwegian film Sentimental Value won the Best International Feature Film award, marking the first time a Norwegian film achieved this honor.
The Best Documentary Feature award went to Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a film exploring political activism and social resistance in modern Russia.
Also Read: SAG Awards 2026: Highlights and Full List of Winners
Short Film Awards
Short films also played an important role in the ceremony. The Girl Who Cried Pearls won Best Animated Short Film, while All the Empty Rooms won Best Documentary Short Film.
In a rare moment at the Oscars, the Best Live Action Short Film award ended in a tie, with both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva sharing the honor.
Highlights of the Ceremony
The 2026 Oscars ceremony lasted approximately three hours and forty-five minutes and included musical performances, tributes to film legends, and celebrations of cinema history.
Overall, One Battle After Another emerged as the most successful film of the night with six awards, while Sinners led the nominations with sixteen and won four Oscars.
The ceremony highlighted both artistic creativity and technical innovation, recognizing the filmmakers and artists who shaped the global film industry in 2025.
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