Warner Bros dominated the 2026 Oscars, securing 11 wins for its films Sinners and One Battle After Another, capping a year of critical and commercial success. However, the studio's future is uncertain as it prepares to fall under the ownership of Paramount-Skydance and the Ellisons, a shift that may threaten its commitment to auteur-driven cinema.
Conan O'Brien's second stint as host was widely praised as an improvement over his debut, with critics noting his looser, sillier, and more confident approach. A mid-show appearance by former host Jimmy Kimmel only highlighted O'Brien's superior fit for the role, blending political awareness with good-natured humour.
Timothée Chalamet, despite a widely acclaimed performance in Marty Supreme and a relentless campaign, lost the Best Actor award to Michael B Jordan. Observers suggested that voters may have tired of Chalamet's overt desire to win, echoing the Academy's tendency to make young male heartthrobs wait their turn.
Amy Madigan's Best Supporting Actress win for her role as Aunt Gladys in Weapons was a surprise, signalling a growing acceptance of genre performances. Her villainous character, who preys on children through black magic, beat out more conventional contenders like Sean Penn's racist militant in One Battle After Another.
