Oscars 2026 saw One Battle After Another dominate with wins for Best Picture and Best Director, while Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley won top acting honors. The ceremony also delivered emotional speeches, surprises, and red-carpet glamour.
WEBDESK – MediaBites News – Sources: EW, People, The Sun, WP
The 98th Academy Awards delivered a dramatic mix of historic victories, emotional speeches, and glamorous red-carpet moments, with One Battle After Another emerging as the biggest winner of the night.
Held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony celebrated global cinematic achievements while producing several unforgettable highlights and a few awkward moments.
Biggest winners of the night
The night belonged to Paul Thomas Anderson, whose political drama One Battle After Another won Best Picture and Best Director, along with multiple technical awards, cementing its status as the defining film of the year.
In the acting categories, Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his role in Sinners, beating strong contenders including Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley took home the Best Actress award for her performance in Hamnet, becoming the first Irish actress to win the category.
The best moment of the Oscars
One of the most powerful moments came when Michael B. Jordan accepted his first Oscar. In an emotional speech, he thanked director Ryan Coogler and paid tribute to earlier Black Oscar winners, prompting a standing ovation from the audience.
Another touching highlight came when Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for Weapons. During her heartfelt speech, she thanked her husband Ed Harris and reflected on her decades-long career in Hollywood.
The worst moment of the night
The ceremony also produced a few awkward moments.
Host Conan O’Brien drew mixed reactions with his satirical jokes about some nominated films, particularly Weapons, sparking debate across social media.
Another talking point came when Sean Penn was announced as Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another while absent from the ceremony, briefly confusing presenters and viewers.
Red carpet: best and worst dressed
The Oscars red carpet once again delivered spectacular fashion moments.
Best dressed
- Teyana Taylor stunned in a dramatic feathered Chanel gown.
- Jessie Buckley, impressed, in a vibrant satin ensemble.
- Nicole Kidman dazzled in a classic champagne-toned look.
Worst dressed
Fashion critics online also pointed to a few overly experimental outfits — including flashy glitter gowns and theatrical costumes — which divided opinion among viewers and style commentators.
Full winners list – Oscars 2026
- Best Picture: One Battle After Another
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
- Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
- Best Actress: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
- Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
- Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan – Weapons
- Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler – Sinners
- Best Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another
- Best Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw – Sinners
- Best Original Score: Ludwig Göransson – Sinners
- Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
- Best Original Song: 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
- Production Design / Costume / Makeup: Frankenstein (multiple wins)
Overall, Oscars 2026 blended historic victories, emotional speeches, and high-fashion spectacle, with One Battle After Another emerging as the defining film of the year and Michael B. Jordan’s long-awaited Oscar win becoming one of the most celebrated moments of the ceremony.
