The 98th Academy Awards, known as Oscars 2026, lit up the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 15, 2026. Hosted by Conan O’Brien and broadcast on ABC, the ceremony celebrated the best films of 2025. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another emerged as the big winner, claiming Best Picture and Best Director amid fierce competition.
Standout Victories
One Battle After Another swept multiple categories, including Directing for Anderson, Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, Casting, Film Editing, and Adapted Screenplay. Its epic storytelling and stellar performances captivated audiences and voters alike.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners made history despite not taking Best Picture. Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his gripping lead role. Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to claim Best Cinematography, a milestone moment highlighted in emotional speeches.
Jessie Buckley earned Best Actress for Hamnet, delivering a poignant portrayal that resonated deeply. In Supporting Actress, Amy Madigan triumphed with Weapons, her first Oscar after decades in the industry. Animated fans cheered KPop: Demon Hunters for Best Animated Feature, praised for bold storytelling.
Top Nominees and Rivalries
Sinners broke records with 16 nominations, the most ever, facing off against One Battle After Another in several races. Other strong contenders included Hamnet (Chloé Zhao directing), Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, Frankenstein, Bugonia, The Secret Agent, F1, and Train Dreams.
Leading Actor nominees featured Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent). Best Actress hopefuls were Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Emma Stone (Bugonia).
Supporting categories showcased talents like Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Delroy Lindo (Sinners), and Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value) for men; Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) for women.
Ceremony Highlights
Nominations dropped on January 22, announced by Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman. O’Brien’s cold open set a lively tone, blending humor with tributes to cinema’s past.
Technical awards shone too: Dan Laustsen (Frankenstein) and others vied in Cinematography, while shorts like “Butterfly” competed in animation. The night underscored diversity, with international films and fresh voices breaking through.
Oscars 2026 reinforced film’s power to inspire, from historic firsts to ensemble triumphs. Catch replays on Hulu for the full glamour.
