Oscars 2026: One Battle After Another Sweeps Six Awards at the 98th Academy Awards
Oscars 2026: One Battle After Another Sweeps Six Awards at the 98th Academy Awards
The 98th Academy Awards delivered one of the most talked-about ceremonies in years. Paul Thomas Anderson's political thriller One Battle After Another dominated the night with six Oscars — including Best Picture and Best Director — while Ryan Coogler's Sinners claimed four awards and crowned Michael B. Jordan as the new Best Actor. Here is the complete 2026 Oscar winners list, the night's biggest surprises, historic firsts, and why this year's ceremony will be remembered for a long time.
The Big Picture: Who Won the Most Oscars in 2026?
| Film | Wins |
|---|---|
| One Battle After Another | 6 |
| Sinners | 4 |
| Frankenstein | 2 |
| KPop Demon Hunters | 2 |
| F1 | 1 |
| Avatar: Fire and Ash | 1 |
| Sentimental Value | 1 |
| Weapons | 1 |
| Hamnet | 1 |
| Mr Nobody Against Putin | 1 |
Full List of 2026 Oscar Winners
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 Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
Best Original Screenplay
Ryan Coogler — Sinners
Best Animated Feature
KPop Demon Hunters
Best International Feature Film
Sentimental Value (Norway)
Best Documentary Feature
Mr Nobody Against Putin
Best Original Score
Ludwig Göransson — Sinners
Best Cinematography
Autumn Durald Arkapaw — Sinners
Best Film Editing
One Battle After Another
Best Sound
F1 — Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo and Juan Peralta
Best Visual Effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Achievement in Casting (inaugural award)
Cassandra Kulukundis — One Battle After Another
Best Live Action Short Film
TIE — The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva
Why One Battle After Another Won Everything
Based on Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland, Anderson's film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson — a paranoid, past-his-prime revolutionary raising his headstrong daughter Willa while being hunted by Sean Penn's menacing police figure, Steven Lockjaw. The result is part conspiracy thriller, part father-daughter drama, part dark comedy.
The film opened to a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and critics praised it as cinema at its purest — uncompromising, exhilarating, and alive. Before Oscar night, it had already swept the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes Best Picture prize — making its Best Picture Oscar win the expected but well-earned conclusion to an extraordinary awards season.
Key reasons it dominated:
- Jonny Greenwood's score — metronomic, sparse piano chords and rim shots that gave the film a ticking-clock intensity throughout its near-three-hour runtime
- Sean Penn's transformation — his menacing turn as villain Steven Lockjaw earned his first supporting Oscar win
- Paul Thomas Anderson's screenplay — a dexterous fusion of action, dark comedy, and character drama that never lets the sprawling cast feel wasted
- Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his most committed and understated performances as the burned-out revolutionary Bob Ferguson
The Night's Biggest Surprises and Historic Moments
Sean Penn Was a No-Show
Penn won Best Supporting Actor but did not appear at the ceremony — one of the most-discussed moments of the night.
History for Female Cinematographers
Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman ever to win Best Cinematography in Oscar history for her work on Sinners. The moment drew a standing ovation.
A Rare Tie
Presenter Kumail Nanjiani announced a rare Academy tie in Best Live Action Short Film — both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva shared the prize.
A Brand New Oscar Category
Best Achievement in Casting was awarded for the very first time. Cassandra Kulukundis took home the inaugural trophy for One Battle After Another — the first new competitive category added since Best Animated Feature in 2001.
Michael B. Jordan Brought the Room to Its Feet
Jordan earned his first-ever Oscar for Sinners and his acceptance speech was widely described as the emotional high point of the entire evening.
About the Host: Conan O'Brien Returns
Conan O'Brien hosted the 98th Academy Awards for the second consecutive year. Highlights included a Bridesmaids reunion featuring Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy. Presenters included Anne Hathaway, Pedro Pascal, Nicole Kidman, Paul Mescal, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Where to Watch the 2026 Oscar Winners
- One Battle After Another — streaming on Max (HBO Max)
- Sinners — check local listings and streaming platforms
- Hamnet — available on demand
- KPop Demon Hunters — streaming wide
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars?
One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, won Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards with six total wins on the night.
Who won Best Actor at the 2026 Oscars?
Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his role in Sinners — his first-ever Academy Award.
Who won Best Actress at the 2026 Oscars?
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet, earning her first Academy Award.
How many Oscars did Sinners win?
Sinners won four Oscars: Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson), and Best Cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw).
Who hosted the 2026 Oscars?
Conan O'Brien hosted the 98th Academy Awards for the second consecutive year.
What was the biggest historic first at the 2026 Oscars?
Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman ever to win Best Cinematography in Oscar history, for her work on Sinners.
Is One Battle After Another based on a book?
Yes — it is based on Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland, adapted and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
What new Oscar category was introduced in 2026?
Best Achievement in Casting was introduced at the 98th Academy Awards — the first new competitive category since Best Animated Feature was added in 2001.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Hollywood Reporter, PBS NewsHour, Entertainment Weekly, Variety. Last updated June 5, 2026.