Oscars 2026: One Battle After Another wins best picture – follow live!
Oscars 2026: One Battle After Another wins best picture – follow live!
The 98th Academy Awards have concluded with a historic sweep as Paul Thomas Anderson’s black comedy thriller, One Battle After Another, secured the top honor of the night. In a ceremony filled with unexpected moments and a record-breaking number of wins for major studios, the film emerged as the definitive winner, solidifying its place in cinematic history. As Hollywood gathered at the Dolby Theatre, the tension between the season’s two heavyweights, One Battle After Another and Sinners, culminated in a night that balanced personal artistic vision with grand-scale production. This live update covers the full spectrum of winners, from the breakthrough performances to the technical achievements that defined the year in film.
The winner of Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars is One Battle After Another. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film claimed a total of six Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Other major winners included Michael B. Jordan, who took home Best Actor for his role in Sinners, and Jessie Buckley, who was named Best Actress for Hamnet. The ceremony also marked a historic milestone for Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first woman and first woman of color to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners.
The Dominance of One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another entered the 98th Academy Awards as a strong favorite, and it did not disappoint. The film, which explores a multi-generational American saga of political resistance and counter-culture, resonated deeply with both critics and the Academy. By the end of the night, it had amassed six Oscars, the highest count for any single film in 2026. This victory marks a significant turning point for Anderson, who, despite a storied career spanning three decades with classics like There Will Be Blood and Boogie Nights, had never before won an Oscar for directing or best picture.
The film’s success was not limited to the top categories. It also claimed awards for Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, and the inaugural award for Best Casting. This comprehensive recognition across various departments highlights the film’s cohesive excellence. During his acceptance speeches, Anderson struck a poignant note, dedicating the work to the next generation and expressing hope for a return to common sense and decency in the world. The win for One Battle After Another is seen as a triumph for original, visionary filmmaking in an era often dominated by franchise installments and studio risk-aversion.
Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley Shine in Lead Categories
The acting categories provided some of the most emotional highlights of the ceremony. Michael B. Jordan’s win for Best Actor in Sinners was a career-defining moment. Jordan, who delivered a dual performance in Ryan Coogler’s vampire blockbuster, beat out a field of formidable contenders, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. His win was met with a standing ovation, and he was seen sharing a visible moment of emotion with his peers. Analysts had noted that his performance in Sinners was a transformative turn that pushed the boundaries of the genre.
In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley’s win for Hamnet was widely celebrated. Buckley has been a rising star for years, and her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway in the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel was described by critics as a masterclass in emotional depth. Hamnet’s success at the Oscars, spearheaded by Buckley’s win, brought a significant spotlight to Chloé Zhao’s direction and the film’s ability to translate complex literary themes to the screen. The race for Best Actress was one of the most competitive in recent memory, making Buckley’s victory all the more significant.
Historic Milestone for Cinematography
One of the most historic moments of the 2026 Oscars occurred when Autumn Durald Arkapaw was announced as the winner for Best Cinematography. Her work on Sinners was praised for its innovative use of light and shadow, creating a visual language that was both haunting and epic. By winning this award, Arkapaw became the first woman and the first Black person to ever win the Oscar for Cinematography. This win is a major step forward for the Academy, which has long been criticized for the lack of diversity in its technical categories.
The category of cinematography was exceptionally tight this year, featuring visually stunning films like Train Dreams and Marty Supreme. However, the unique aesthetic of Sinners, which blended period details with supernatural elements, proved to be the favorite among the Academy’s cinematographers branch. Arkapaw’s win is not just a personal achievement but a beacon for future generations of women and minority cinematographers who have historically been underrepresented in the field.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Long-Awaited Coronation
For many film enthusiasts, the highlight of the night was seeing Paul Thomas Anderson finally take the stage for Best Director. Anderson has been nominated numerous times throughout his career for iconic films, yet the top prize had always eluded him. With One Battle After Another, the Academy finally recognized his unique contribution to American cinema. His win for Best Adapted Screenplay earlier in the evening served as a precursor to his eventual win for directing, signaling a "sweep" for his creative vision.
The film One Battle After Another is based on Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, and Anderson’s ability to adapt such a complex and often considered "unfilmable" novel was a key factor in his win. His direction was noted for its balance of dark humor, political commentary, and thriller elements. The victory is seen as a long-overdue "coronation" for a filmmaker who has consistently challenged the norms of Hollywood storytelling for over thirty years.
Comprehensive List of Major Winners
To provide a clear overview of the night's results, the following table summarizes the primary winners across the most high-profile categories. This reflects the balance of power between the night's two biggest films and the various independent successes that rounded out the ceremony.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 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 | Sinners (Ryan Coogler) |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson) |
| Best Animated Feature | KPop Demon Hunters |
| Best Cinematography | Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Sinners) |
The Technical Prowess of Frankenstein and F1
While the major narratives focused on the lead acting and directing awards, the technical categories showcased a diverse range of films. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein was a dominant force in the craft categories, winning for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Del Toro’s signature lavish style was evident in every frame of the film, and the Academy rewarded the meticulous attention to detail required to bring the classic monster story to life in a fresh, gothic way.
Meanwhile, the film F1, starring Brad Pitt, secured a win for Best Sound. The film’s sound design was essential to its success, providing an immersive experience that made audiences feel as though they were in the cockpit of a high-speed racing car. Although F1 was not a major player in the "above-the-line" categories, its win in sound demonstrates the Academy’s continued appreciation for high-octane technical achievement. These wins highlight the depth of talent across the industry, extending far beyond the Best Picture nominees.
Netflix’s Breakthrough with KPop Demon Hunters
The 2026 Oscars also marked a major milestone for streaming, specifically for Netflix. The animated sensation KPop Demon Hunters became a cultural phenomenon throughout 2025 and translated that success into two major Oscar wins: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Golden." The film, which was originally developed by Sony but sold to Netflix, has garnered over 325 million views, making it one of the most-watched films in the platform’s history.
The win for Best Original Song was particularly significant, as the track "Golden" beat out strong competition. This success underscores the growing influence of global culture, particularly South Korean influence, in the American awards circuit. The directors and producers of the film dedicated their win to Korea and its global community, marking a proud moment for international representation in animation. Netflix’s overall performance, including wins for Frankenstein, solidified its standing as a major powerhouse capable of competing with traditional studios like Warner Bros.
The Inaugural Best Casting Award
History was made this year with the introduction of the Best Casting category, the first new category added to the Academy Awards in 25 years. This award was long-petitioned for by industry professionals who argued that the assembly of a film's ensemble is a vital creative contribution. The first-ever Oscar for Best Casting was awarded to Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another. The decision was widely praised, as the film featured a complex web of characters played by a mix of veteran actors and fresh faces.
The inclusion of this category signals the Academy’s evolving understanding of film production. Casting directors are now officially recognized alongside directors, writers, and cinematographers for their role in shaping the final product. The win for One Battle After Another in this category further cemented its "sweep" of the night and set a high standard for future recipients of the award. Other nominees in this inaugural year included the casting teams for Sinners, Hamnet, and The Secret Agent.
Surprises and Viral Moments
No Oscar ceremony is complete without its share of surprises. One of the most talked-about moments was a rare tie in the Best Live Action Short category, where both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva were named winners. This was only the seventh time in the history of the Oscars that a tie has occurred. Additionally, host Conan O'Brien’s energetic and quirky performance kept the evening moving, including a pre-taped segment where he appeared as a character from the horror film Weapons.
The "In Memoriam" segment was also a point of discussion, featuring poignant tributes to industry legends. Barbra Streisand provided a moving tribute to Robert Redford, while Billy Crystal honored the late Rob Reiner. These moments of reflection provided a necessary balance to the high-energy celebrations of the winners. The ceremony successfully navigated the line between honoring the past and embracing the future of the medium.
FAQ
- Which movie won Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars?
One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, won Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars. - How many Oscars did One Battle After Another win?
One Battle After Another won a total of six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. - Who won Best Actor and Best Actress in 2026?
Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners, and Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for Hamnet. - What was the historic win for Best Cinematography?
Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman and first Black person to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners. - What was the new Oscar category introduced in 2026?
The Academy introduced the Best Casting category in 2026, with Cassandra Kulukundis winning the first ever award for One Battle After Another.
Conclusion
The 2026 Oscars will be remembered as the year that Paul Thomas Anderson finally received his due, and One Battle After Another established itself as a modern classic. The evening was a testament to the enduring power of original stories and the incredible talent working across all sectors of the film industry. From the historic win for Autumn Durald Arkapaw to the dominance of Netflix in the animation and technical categories, the 98th Academy Awards reflected an industry in transition—one that is increasingly diverse, technologically advanced, and still capable of producing deeply personal works of art. As the curtains close on this year's awards season, the success of these films provides a hopeful roadmap for the future of cinema.
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