The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15th (March 16th in Vietnam time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. In a cinematic landscape that continues to celebrate diverse artistic voices and storytelling styles, this year’s ceremony highlighted many remarkable films. Among them, One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner of the night.
Organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy Awards are widely considered the most prestigious honors in the film industry. Each year, the ceremony not only celebrates exceptional achievements in filmmaking but also reflects evolving trends within global cinema.
Oscar 2026 Nominations: A Highly Competitive Race
Leading up to the ceremony, the 2026 Oscar race drew significant attention due to a strong lineup of nominated films across major categories.
Sinners topped the nominations with 16 nominations, setting a record for the most nominations in Oscar history. It was followed by One Battle After Another with 13 nominations and Sentimental Value with 9 nominations.
Other notable contenders included Bugonia, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, and Hamnet, adding even more excitement to an already unpredictable awards season.
New Oscar Category: Best Casting
One of the most notable changes at the 2026 Oscars was the introduction of the Best Casting category. This marks the first new category added to the Academy Awards since Best Animated Feature was introduced in 2001.
The addition recognizes the critical role of casting directors in shaping the performances and chemistry that audiences see on screen.
Musical Performances Light Up the 2026 Oscars Stage
Beyond celebrating cinematic achievements, the ceremony also delivered spectacular live musical performances that energized the audience.
The night opened with the cast of Sinners performing the film’s original song “I Lied to You”. Actor Miles Caton, making his acting debut in the film, performed the song after learning guitar specifically for his role. The performance also featured appearances by Shaboozey, Buddy Guy, and Brittany Howard.
Another memorable moment came from EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who performed the song “Golden” from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, bringing vibrant energy to the auditorium.
“One Battle After Another” Dominates the Major Categories
The biggest moment of the 98th Academy Awards came when One Battle After Another won Best Picture, narrowly surpassing Sinners in what had been considered one of the closest races of the year.
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film ultimately won 6 Oscars out of 13 nominations, making it the most successful film of the night.
The film also won several other major categories:
Best Director
Best Supporting Actor – Sean Penn
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Casting
Best Film Editing
During his acceptance speech, Paul Thomas Anderson thanked the Academy and the cast of the film, humorously admitting that he had forgotten to thank the actors earlier when receiving his Best Director award.
Jessie Buckley Becomes the First Irish Actress to Win Best Actress
Jessie Buckley took home the Best Actress Oscar for her powerful performance in Hamnet.
In the film, she portrays the wife of William Shakespeare and a grieving mother coping with the loss of her child. Her emotionally intense performance earned widespread praise throughout the awards season.
This victory also made Buckley the first Irish actress ever to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Amy Madigan Wins Her First Oscar at Age 76
Veteran actress Amy Madigan won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Weapons.
At the age of 76, she triumphed over strong nominees including Elle Fanning and Wunmi Mosaku to claim the first Oscar of her long career.
Her win marked a remarkable milestone, arriving nearly 40 years after her first nomination in 1986.
Michael B. Jordan Wins His First Oscar
Michael B. Jordan won the Best Actor award for his role in Sinners, beating strong contenders such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.
In his emotional acceptance speech, Jordan thanked his family, his fellow cast members, and director Ryan Coogler. He also expressed appreciation to Warner Bros. for trusting the director’s creative vision.
Jordan acknowledged the artists who paved the way for him, including Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, and Will Smith.
Memorable Moments at the 2026 Oscars
The ceremony also featured several emotional highlights. Legendary singer and actress Barbra Streisand delivered a touching tribute honoring the late actor Robert Redford.
Another historic milestone occurred when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the Best Cinematography award for Sinners, becoming the first woman and the first woman of color ever to win in this category.
Full List of 2026 Oscar Winners
Best Picture: One Battle After Another
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan – Weapons
Best Original Screenplay: Sinners – Ryan Coogler
Best Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Foreign Language Film: Sentimental Value
Best Animated Film: K-Pop Demon Hunters
Best Animated Short Film: The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Best Documentary Feature: Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Best Documentary Short: All the Empty Rooms
Best Live-Action Short Film: The Singers, Two People Exchanging Saliva
Best Original Score: Sinners – Ludwig Göransson
Best Original Song: Golden – K-Pop Demon Hunters
Best Cinematography: Sinners
Best Film Editing: One Battle After Another – Andy Jurgensen
Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Sound: F1
Best Production Design: Frankenstein
Best Costume Design: Frankenstein – Kate Hawley
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Frankenstein
Best Casting: One Battle After Another – Cassandra Kulukundis
