One Battle After Another Wins Big at the 2026 Oscars

By Justine Madzeni 

The 98th Academy Awards, known as the Oscars, took place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Hollywood. Comedian Conan O'Brien hosted the glamorous event, which celebrated the best films from 2025 and brought together top stars from the film industry.

The biggest winner of the night was the film One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The movie won six awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, making it the most successful film of the evening. This marked Anderson’s first wins in these major categories.

In the acting categories, Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his strong performance in Sinners, while Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, becoming the first Irish actress to win this award.

The supporting acting awards also featured memorable moments. Veteran actor Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, while Amy Madigan earned Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons.

Another historic moment occurred when cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners.

Overall, the 2026 Oscars celebrated creativity, diversity, and powerful storytelling. The event recognized filmmakers and performers who made a lasting impact on the world of cinema.