Hollywood’s biggest night delivered drama both on and off the stage at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. ”One Battle After Another” dominated with six Oscars, sweeping major categories including Best Picture and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. Meanwhile, Michael B. Jordan triumphed in Best Actor for the vampire drama ”Sinners,” edging out early favorite Timothée Chalamet. The horror-drama ”Sinners” led the pack with 16 nominations, finally garnering its star’s first Oscar after years of buzz.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio’s roles at Oscar 2026
”One Battle After Another,” inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, was the night’s runaway success:
- Best Picture
- Best Director – Paul Thomas Anderson
- Best Supporting Actor – Sean Penn
- Best Adapted Screenplay
Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t take home an Oscar this time, but critics praised his portrayal of a revolutionary leader as one of his most powerful performances to date. Anderson’s triumph marks his first Oscar win for directing after decades of critical acclaim.
Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor over Timothée Chalamet
The most talked-about contest of the evening was Best Actor. Timothée Chalamet was widely predicted to win for his role in the bio-pic ”Marty Supreme,” but the Academy chose Michael B. Jordan for his raw and emotional turn in the vampire drama ”Sinners.”
Jordan’s intense performance trumped the so-called ”Chalamet Effect,” with host Conan O’Brien poking fun at Chalamet’s viral comments on ballet and opera during his opening monologue, adding spice to the rivalry.
Complete list of Oscar 2026 winners
| Category | Winner | Film |
| Best Picture | – | One Battle After Another |
| Best Director | Paul Thomas Anderson | One Battle After Another |
| Best Actor | Michael B. Jordan | Sinners |
| Best Actress | Jessi Buckley | Hamnet |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sean Penn | One Battle After Another |
| Best Supporting Actress | Amy Madigan | Implements |
| Original Screenplay | Ryan Coogler | Sinners |
| Best Animated Feature | – | K-Pop Demon Hunters |
| Best International Feature | – | Sentimental Value (Norway) |
| Best Cinematography | Othem Durald Arcapaw | Sinners |
| Best Visual Effects | – | Avatar: Fire and Ash |
Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters wins Best Animated Feature
Netflix scored a major victory with the animated hit ”K-Pop Demon Hunters,” which took home two Oscars:
- Best Animated Feature
- Best Original Song for ”Golden”
The film, about a pop group fighting supernatural forces, is notable for its celebration of Korean culture and representation.
Director Maggie Kang addressed Korean audiences worldwide from the stage: ”For those of us who look like me – I’m sorry it took so long to see ourselves on screen in a film like this.”
Notable highlights from the 98th Academy Awards ceremony
- Norwegian breakthrough: Joachim Trier’s ”Sentimental Value” earned Norway its first Oscar for Best International Feature.
- Technical wins: ”Avatar: Fire and Ash” took home Best Visual Effects, while Guillermo del Toro’s ”Frankenstein” remake snagged Oscars for Best Makeup and Production Design.
Compared to the grand spectacle and box office giants typical of previous Oscars during the Apple, Google, and Samsung-dominated tech era, this year’s ceremony leaned heavily into auteur-driven cinema, powerful performances, and cultural milestones.
Streaming platforms like Netflix continue to reshape the awards landscape, challenging legacy studio dominance with animated and diverse content that connects globally. Looking ahead, the Oscar race will be one to watch as emerging voices and genre films like ”Sinners” break new ground. Whether the industry embraces this shift toward more diverse storytelling and representation could redefine the Oscars’ relevance in the streaming age.