Oscars 2026: A Night of Historic Wins and Unforgettable Moments

The 2026 Oscars ceremony, held at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, was a night to remember, filled with groundbreaking achievements and emotional speeches. This year’s event showcased a diverse array of talent, with films that pushed boundaries and challenged norms.

Major Winners of the Night

Best Picture went to Paul Thomas Anderson’s action-thriller One Battle After Another, which also secured five additional awards, including Best Director for Anderson himself and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film’s gripping narrative and stellar performances captivated audiences and critics alike, making it a standout of the evening.

In a remarkable showing, Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, garnered four Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay for Coogler and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, marking his first win after a long-awaited nomination. This vampire drama not only entertained but also resonated with audiences on a deeper level, showcasing Coogler’s unique storytelling abilities.

Historic Milestones

This year’s ceremony was particularly notable for its historic wins. Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman to win the Best Cinematography Oscar for her work on Sinners. Her achievement is a significant step forward for gender representation in the film industry, inspiring future generations of female filmmakers.

Sean Penn also made headlines by winning Best Actor for his role in One Battle After Another, becoming only the fourth actor in history to win three Oscars, joining the ranks of legends like Jack Nicholson and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Celebrating Diversity in Film

The night also celebrated international cinema, with Norway’s Sentimental Value taking home the award for Best International Feature Film. This film has been making waves globally, praised for its poignant storytelling and emotional depth.

In the realm of animation, KPop Demon Hunters emerged victorious, winning Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its catchy track “Golden.” This marks a significant moment for K-pop, as it becomes the first K-pop song to receive an Oscar, further solidifying the genre’s global influence.

A Night of Surprises

In a surprising twist, the Live-Action Short category saw a rare tie, with The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva both taking home the award. This unexpected outcome left the audience buzzing and highlighted the competitive nature of this year’s nominees.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

The ceremony also introduced a new category, Best Casting, which was awarded to Cassandra Kulukundis for her work on One Battle After Another. This addition reflects the growing recognition of casting as a crucial element in filmmaking.

The awards for Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design were dominated by Guillermo Del Toro’s ambitious Frankenstein, showcasing the film’s artistic vision and attention to detail.

Complete List of Winners

Here’s a comprehensive look at the winners from the night:

Best Picture

• One Battle After Another – WINNER
• Sinners
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• The Secret Agent
• Sentimental Value
• Train Dreams
• Bugonia

Best Directing

• Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another) – WINNER
• Ryan Coogler (Sinners)
• Chloe Zhao (Hamnet)
• Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme)
• Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value)

Best Actor in a Leading Role

• Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) – WINNER
• Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
• Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
• Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)
• Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)

Best Actress in a Leading Role

• Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) – WINNER
• Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
• Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue)
• Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
• Emma Stone (Bugonia)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

• Sean Penn (One Battle After Another) – WINNER
• Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another)
• Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
• Delroy Lindo (Sinners)
• Stellan Skarsgard (Sentimental Value)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

• Amy Madigan (Weapons) – WINNER
• Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value)
• Inga Ibsdotter Illeas (Sentimental Value)
• Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
• Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

• Ryan Coogler (Sinners) – WINNER
• Robert Kaplow (Blue Moon)
• Jafar Panahi (It Was Just An Accident)
• Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme)
• Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value)

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another) – WINNER
• Will Tracy (Bugonia)
• Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein)
• Chloe Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell (Hamnet)
• Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar (Train Dreams)

Best Animated Feature Film

• KPop Demon Hunters – WINNER
• Arco
• Elio
• Little Amelie or The Character of Rain
• Zootopia 2

Best International Feature Film

• Sentimental Value (Norway) – WINNER
• The Secret Agent (Brazil)
• It Was Just An Accident (France)
• Sirat (Spain)
• The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia)

Best Music (Original Song)

• “Golden” (KPop Demon Hunters) – WINNER
• “Dear Me” (Diane Warren: Relentless)
• “I Lied To You” (Sinners)
• “Sweet Dreams of Joy” (Viva Verdi!)
• “Train Dreams” (Train Dreams)

Best Cinematography

• Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Sinners) – WINNER
• Dan Lausten (Frankenstein)
• Darius Khondji (Marty Supreme)
• Michael Bauman (One Battle After Another)
• Adolpho Veloso (Train Dreams)

Best Visual Effects

• Avatar: Fire and Ash – WINNER
• F1
• Jurassic World Rebirth
• The Lost Bus
• Sinners

Best Casting

• Cassandra Kulukundis (One Battle After Another) – WINNER
• Nina Gold (Hamnet)
• Jennifer Venditti (Marty Supreme)
• Gabriel Domingues (The Secret Agent)
• Francine Maisler (Sinners)

Best Documentary Feature

• Mr. Nobody Against Putin – WINNER
• The Alabama Solution
• Come See Me in the Good Light
• Cutting Through Rocks
• The Perfect Neighbor

Best Sound

• F1 – WINNER
• Frankenstein
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners
• Sirat

Best Film Editing

• Andy Jurgensen (One Battle After Another) – WINNER
• Stephen Mirrione (F1)
• Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme)
• Olivier Bugge Coutte (Sentimental Value)
• Michael P Shawver (Sinners)

Best Costume Design

• Kate Hawley (Frankenstein) – WINNER
• Deborah L. Scott (Avatar: Fire and Ash)
• Malgosia Turzanska (Hamnet)
• Miyako Bellizzi (Marty Supreme)
• Ruth E Carter (Sinners)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

• Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey (Frankenstein) – WINNER
• Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino, and Tadashi Nishimatsu (Kokuho)
• Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine, and Shunika Terry (Sinners)
• Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin, and Bjoern Rehbein (The Smashing Machine)
• Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg (The Ugly Stepsister)

Best Live Action Short

• The Singers – WINNER (TIE)
• Two People Exchanging Saliva – WINNER (TIE)
• Butcher’s Stain
• A Friend of Dorothy
• Jane Austen’s Period Drama

Best Documentary Short

• All the Empty Rooms – WINNER
• Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
• Children No More: “Were and Are Gone”
• The Devil Is Busy
• Perfectly A Strangeness

Best Production Design

• Frankenstein – WINNER
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners

Best Animated Short

• The Girl Who Cried Pearls – WINNER
• Butterfly
• Forevergreen
• Retirement Plan
• The Three Sisters

The 2026 Oscars not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also marked a pivotal moment in the industry, highlighting the importance of diversity, representation, and innovation in storytelling. As the night concluded, it was clear that the future of cinema is bright, with a wealth of talent ready to take the stage.