One Battle After Another Triumphs at 2026 Academy Awards with Major Wins
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony witnessed a commanding victory for Paul Thomas Anderson's political epic One Battle After Another, which secured the coveted Best Picture award alongside five other Oscars. The film's success highlighted a night where established talent and emotional speeches took centre stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Complete Sweep for Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan
Irish actress Jessie Buckley completed her awards season clean sweep by claiming the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway (historically Anne Hathaway) in Hamnet. In a deeply moving acceptance speech, Buckley dedicated her award to "the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart", coinciding with Mother's Day in the UK. She revealed the name of her eight-month-old daughter Isla for the first time publicly and expressed profound gratitude to her husband, director Chloe Zhao, and writer Maggie O'Farrell.
Michael B. Jordan earned the Best Actor trophy for his dual role as twins in Ryan Coogler's vampire film Sinners. Jordan paid homage to pioneering Black Oscar winners including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, and Halle Berry, stating he stood on their shoulders. Sinners itself won four Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Score.
Sean Penn's Absent Victory and Other Key Winners
In a notable absence, Sean Penn secured his third Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as Colonel Lockjaw in One Battle After Another, but was not present to collect the award. Presenter Kieran Culkin humorously noted Penn's no-show, mentioning he would accept it on his behalf. Penn previously won Oscars for Mystic River and Milk.
Amy Madigan won the first Oscar of the night for Best Supporting Actress for her terrifying performance as Aunt Gladys in the horror film Weapons. She emotionally thanked her husband of over forty years, actor Ed Harris, stating nothing would matter without him by her side.
The ceremony also saw a rare tie in the Live Action Short category, with both Two People Exchanging Saliva and The Singers declared winners—the first tie since 2013. Host Conan O'Brien joked this outcome ruined millions of Oscar prediction pools worldwide.
Host Conan O'Brien's Theatrical Opening and Global Message
Comedian Conan O'Brien hosted the Oscars for the second consecutive year, opening with an elaborate sketch where he dressed as Aunt Gladys from Weapons and was chased through scenes from Best Picture nominees. The sketch featured cameos including Timothée Chalamet and Benicio del Toro.
O'Brien addressed the global audience, acknowledging "chaotic, frightening times" while praising the nominated films as products of international collaboration that demonstrate resilience and optimism. He emphasised the diversity of languages and countries represented among the nominees.
Additional Awards and Ceremony Highlights
Other significant winners included the box office hit KPop Demon Hunters, which won Best Animated Film and Best Original Song for Golden. Frankenstein claimed Oscars for Best Costume Design, Production Design, and Makeup and Hairstyling.
The 2026 Oscars ultimately celebrated cinematic achievement across genres, from political dramas and historical biopics to horror and animation, underscoring the enduring power of storytelling in connecting global audiences during uncertain times.
