The 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) delivered one of the most exciting nights in Hollywood in recent years. Held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, the ceremony celebrated the best films and performances of the year.
From historic wins to emotional speeches and political moments on stage, the Oscars 2026 winners list featured several surprises and big sweeps. The biggest winner of the night was One Battle After Another, which dominated the ceremony with multiple awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Here’s a complete recap of the Oscars 2026 winners, biggest highlights, and moments you might have missed.
Oscars 2026: Full Winners List
Here are the major winners from the 98th Academy Awards:
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
- Ryan Coogler — Sinners
Best Adapted Screenplay
- One Battle After Another
Best Cinematography
- Sinners
Best Original Score
- Ludwig Göransson — Sinners
Best Film Editing
- One Battle After Another
Best Sound
- F1
Best Visual Effects
- Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Production Design
- Frankenstein
Best Costume Design
- Frankenstein
Best Makeup & Hairstyling
- Frankenstein
Best Animated Feature
- K-Pop Demon Hunters
Best Original Song
- “Golden” — K-Pop Demon Hunters
Best International Feature Film
- Sentimental Value (Norway)
Best Documentary Feature
- Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Biggest Winners of the Night:
1. One Battle After Another Dominates the Oscars
The political drama One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner, taking home six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Editing.
The film also marked the first Oscar win for director Paul Thomas Anderson, a major milestone in his acclaimed career.
2. Michael B. Jordan’s First Oscar
Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners, earning his first Academy Award. His powerful performance and emotional acceptance speech quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
3. Jessie Buckley Wins Best Actress
Irish actress Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for Hamnet, becoming the first Irish woman to win the award in years. Her speech thanking her family and celebrating creative freedom resonated strongly with audiences.
4. Sinners Becomes a Major Awards Contender
Despite losing Best Picture, Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller Sinners had a massive night with four Oscars, including Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Score, and Best Cinematography.
Historic and Surprising Wins
The Oscars 2026 ceremony also made history in several ways:
- Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman of color to win Best Cinematography for Sinners.
- Veteran actress Amy Madigan won her first Oscar at age 75 for her role in Weapons.
- Netflix’s animated hit K-Pop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
These wins highlighted the Academy’s growing recognition of diverse storytelling and global cinema.
Viral & Memorable Moments from the Ceremony
Beyond the awards, the 2026 Oscars delivered several unforgettable moments:
1. Emotional Acceptance Speeches
Many winners delivered heartfelt speeches, including Amy Madigan thanking her husband Ed Harris and Michael B. Jordan honoring the Black actors who paved the way for him.
2. Political Messages on Stage
The ceremony included strong political statements, with calls for peace and discussions about global conflicts appearing during speeches and presentations.
3. Conan O’Brien’s Hosting Debut
Comedian Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony for the first time, bringing humor and light-hearted commentary that kept the audience engaged throughout the night.
4. Surprise Tie in Short Film Category
One of the most unusual moments was a rare tie in the Live Action Short Film category, something that rarely happens at the Oscars.
Final Thoughts
The Oscars 2026 proved to be a night of historic wins, emotional moments, and cinematic celebration. With One Battle After Another dominating the awards, Sinners emerging as a major contender, and powerful performances being recognized, the ceremony highlighted the incredible diversity of modern filmmaking.
From groundbreaking achievements to viral speeches, the 98th Academy Awards once again reminded audiences why the Oscars remain the most prestigious event in the film industry.
