Who Won the Oscars?

The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, celebrating the best films released in 2025. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the ceremony honored achievements across acting, directing, writing, and technical filmmaking categories.

This year’s Oscars were dominated by one film in particular, while several others took home major acting and technical awards.

Best Picture: One Battle After Another

The biggest prize of the night — Best Picture — went to One Battle After Another, a political drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

The film was the clear standout of the ceremony, winning six Oscars in total, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Its story, loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, blends political themes with dark humor and complex characters. Critics praised the film’s ambition and emotional depth.

Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his performance in the film Sinners.

The movie was one of the most nominated films of the year and earned multiple awards, including Best Original Score and Best Cinematography. Jordan’s performance was widely praised for its intensity and emotional range.

Best Actress: Jessie Buckley

Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for her role in Hamnet.

Buckley played Agnes Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, in a story centered on grief and family after the death of their son. The performance was widely considered one of the strongest of the year.

Supporting Acting Winners

Best Supporting Actor

Sean Penn — One Battle After Another

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Madigan — Weapons

Other Major Winners

Several other films also won important awards during the ceremony:

Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler — Sinners

Best Original Score: Ludwig Göransson — Sinners

Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters

Best International Film: Sentimental Value (Norway)

Best Documentary: Mr. Nobody Against Putin

The night also marked the debut of a new Oscar category: Best Casting, which was won by One Battle After Another.

Biggest Takeaway From the Night

The 2026 Oscars showed a mix of big studio productions and ambitious independent films.

One Battle After Another dominated with six awards, including Best Picture.

Sinners followed closely with four wins.

Several technical awards went to visually ambitious films like Frankenstein and Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Overall, the ceremony highlighted bold storytelling and strong performances across a wide range of genres.

Quick Summary of Major 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)

Oscars 2026: The Biggest Winners and What Their Victories Mean for Hollywood

The 2026 Academy Awards brought together the biggest names in film to celebrate the most impactful movies and performances of the past year. The ceremony highlighted powerful storytelling, ambitious filmmaking, and a mix of established stars and breakthrough talent. While many films competed for the industry’s most prestigious honors, a few stood out as the defining winners of the night.

The biggest prize, Best Picture, went to One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film emerged as the dominant force at the ceremony, winning multiple awards and reinforcing Anderson’s reputation as one of the most respected filmmakers of his generation. Known for his meticulous direction and layered storytelling, Anderson delivered a politically charged drama that critics praised for its complexity and bold vision. The film’s success also reflects the Academy’s continued recognition of directors who take creative risks while tackling timely themes.

In addition to Best Picture, Anderson also won Best Director, further cementing the film’s impact. His victory was widely expected after the movie gained strong momentum during awards season. The dual win highlights the Academy’s appreciation for directors who maintain a distinct artistic voice while delivering films that resonate with both critics and audiences.

One of the night’s most talked-about wins came in the Best Actor category. Michael B. Jordan took home the award for his performance in Sinners. Jordan’s portrayal of a complex and emotionally layered character impressed voters with its intensity and depth. For years, Jordan has been regarded as one of the most talented actors of his generation, and this Oscar victory represents a major milestone in his career. The win also signals the Academy’s growing recognition of performances that blend blockbuster appeal with serious dramatic weight.

The award for Best Actress went to Jessie Buckley for her role in Hamnet. Buckley’s performance as Agnes Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, captivated audiences with its emotional vulnerability and quiet strength. The film explores themes of grief and family, and Buckley’s portrayal anchors the story with remarkable sensitivity. Her win marks the first Oscar of her career and further establishes her as one of the most compelling performers working in film today.

The supporting acting categories also delivered memorable moments. Veteran actor Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his role in One Battle After Another. Penn’s performance added another layer of prestige to the film’s impressive list of victories. Known for his commanding screen presence, Penn brought intensity and gravitas to the role, contributing to the film’s emotional and political impact.

Meanwhile, Best Supporting Actress went to Amy Madigan for her role in Weapons. Madigan’s win was celebrated as a recognition of her long and respected career in film and television. Her performance stood out for its nuance and emotional authenticity, reminding audiences of the importance of strong supporting roles in shaping a film’s narrative.

Another film that made a major impact during the ceremony was Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler. In addition to Michael B. Jordan’s acting win, the film earned several other awards, including recognition for its screenplay and musical score. Coogler has built a reputation for blending socially conscious storytelling with visually dynamic filmmaking, and Sinners continued that tradition.

Beyond the individual awards, the 2026 Oscars revealed several broader trends within the film industry. One noticeable pattern was the continued success of directors with strong creative identities. Filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler have cultivated distinct styles that resonate with audiences while maintaining artistic integrity.

Another important takeaway from the ceremony was the recognition of emotionally driven performances. Many of the winning roles focused on deeply personal stories about identity, loss, and resilience. This suggests that, even in an era dominated by massive franchises and streaming platforms, character-driven storytelling remains central to the cinematic experience.

Ultimately, the 2026 Academy Awards served as a reminder of the enduring power of film. From bold political dramas to intimate character studies, the winning movies demonstrated the wide range of stories that cinema can tell. As Hollywood continues to evolve, the success of these films shows that audiences and critics alike still value originality, emotional depth, and fearless storytelling.