Oscars 2026 Winners: Full List, Highlights and Major Moments from the 98th Academy Awards

The 98th Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars 2026, celebrated the best films and performances of the year in a grand ceremony held on March 15, 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, United States. The prestigious awards were presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognizing outstanding achievements in global cinema.

The event was hosted by popular comedian Conan O’Brien, bringing humor and entertainment to the star-studded ceremony. The biggest winner of the night was the film One Battle After Another, which took home multiple awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

In this article, we cover the complete Oscars 2026 winners list, major highlights, historic moments, and key performances that defined the 98th Academy Awards.

Biggest Winner of the Night

The film One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, dominated the ceremony with six Academy Awards, making it the most awarded film of the night.

The film received critical acclaim for its storytelling, direction, and performances, which helped it secure top honors including:

• Best Picture

• Best Director

• Best Adapted Screenplay

• Best Supporting Actor

• Best Casting

• Best Film Editing

Its strong presence throughout the awards night made it one of the most memorable Oscar wins in recent years.

Oscars 2026 Winners: Major Categories

Here is the list of winners in the most important categories at the Academy Awards.

Best Picture

One Battle After Another

The film triumphed over strong competitors including Sinners, Hamnet, Frankenstein, and Marty Supreme.

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

Anderson’s powerful storytelling and cinematic vision earned him the prestigious award for directing.

Best Actor

Michael B. Jordan – Sinners

Jordan’s intense performance in the film earned widespread praise and secured him the Oscar for Best Actor.

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley – Hamnet

Buckley delivered a powerful and emotional performance that impressed both critics and Academy voters.

Best Supporting Actor

Sean Penn – One Battle After Another

This victory marked Penn’s third Oscar win, placing him among a small group of actors with multiple Academy Awards.

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Madigan – Weapons

Madigan’s performance in the film earned her critical recognition and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Other Major Oscars 2026 Winners

Apart from the acting and directing awards, several films received recognition across technical and creative categories.

Best Original Screenplay

Sinners – Written by Ryan Coogler

Best Cinematography

Sinners – Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Best Original Score

Ludwig Göransson – Sinners

Best Animated Feature

KPop Demon Hunters

Best Original Song

 “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters

Best International Feature Film

Sentimental Value (Norway)

Best Documentary Feature

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Best Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Best Sound

F1

Technical Awards

The film Frankenstein won multiple technical categories including:

• Production Design

• Costume Design

• Makeup and Hairstyling

These wins highlighted the film’s impressive visual craftsmanship.

Historic Moments at the Oscars 2026

The 2026 Academy Awards featured several historic achievements and emotional moments.

First Female Cinematography Winner

Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win Best Cinematography, marking a historic milestone for the film industry.

New Casting Award Introduced

For the first time in Oscars history, the Academy introduced the Best Casting category, which was won by Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another.

Tie in Short Film Category

Another unique moment was a tie in the Best Live Action Short Film category, something rarely seen in Academy Awards history.

Humanitarian and Honorary Awards

Apart from competitive categories, several legendary personalities were honored for their contributions to cinema.

Humanitarian Award

The Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic work.

Honorary Oscars

Honorary Academy Awards were presented to:

• Tom Cruise

• Debbie Allen

• Wynn Thomas

These awards recognized their long-standing contributions to the entertainment industry.

Most Nominated Film of the Year

The film Sinners received the highest number of nominations (16) at the Oscars 2026.

Although it did not win Best Picture, it still secured several major awards including:

• Best Actor

• Best Original Screenplay

• Best Cinematography

• Best Original Score

Impact of Oscars 2026 on the Film Industry

The Oscars often influence global cinema trends, and the 2026 awards highlighted several important themes:

• Increasing diversity in filmmaking

• Recognition of international cinema

• Strong performances by emerging actors and directors

Films like One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Hamnet are expected to gain increased popularity worldwide following their Oscar wins.

Final Thoughts

The Oscars 2026 delivered a night filled with memorable victories, historic milestones, and powerful cinematic achievements. With One Battle After Another dominating the ceremony and Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley winning the top acting awards, the 98th Academy Awards celebrated both established talent and rising stars.

As the film industry continues to evolve, the Oscars remain one of the most prestigious recognitions of artistic excellence in cinema.