The 98th Academy Awards, held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, concluded with a historic night for Paul Thomas Anderson and a series of groundbreaking victories.
“One Battle After Another” Wins Big Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece, “One Battle After Another,” emerged as the biggest winner of the night, securing six Oscars, including the prestigious Best Picture. Anderson also took home the award for Best Director, marking a significant milestone in his career. Additionally, Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film, which also earned accolades for its cinematography and casting.
Historic Acting Wins The acting categories saw emotional and historic moments:
- Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan won his first-ever Oscar for his dual role in the vampire epic “Sinners.” In his acceptance speech, Jordan expressed deep gratitude, acknowledging those who paved the way for him in the industry.
- Best Actress: Jessie Buckley made history as the first Irish winner in this category for her performance in “Hamnet.” * Best Supporting Actress: At 75, Amy Madigan won for her role in the horror-thriller “Weapons,” marking 40 years since her last nomination—the longest gap for any actress in Oscar history.
Groundbreaking Achievements
- Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on “One Battle After Another.”
- The song “Golden” from the animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters” won Best Original Song, becoming the first K-pop track to win an Academy Award.
- The Netflix sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” also secured the title of Best Animated Feature.
Conan O’Brien Returns as Host Hosting for the second consecutive year, Conan O’Brien opened the show with a comedic pre-taped segment where he was edited into scenes of major nominees, including a cameo as “Aunt Gladys” from “Weapons.” His monologue touched on topical issues such as AI and the shifting landscape of cinema, while humorously declaring himself the “last human host” before the Oscars move to YouTube in 2029.
Political Undercurrents True to tradition, the ceremony was not without political statements. Winners and presenters made references to global peace, particularly advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, and shared reflections on the importance of free speech and artistic resilience in “chaotic times.”
The night served as a celebration of both seasoned veterans and new voices, solidifying 2026 as a landmark year for global cinema.
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