By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Los Angeles, The 98th Academy Awards, held on March 15 at the iconic Dolby Theatre, proved to be a night of both record-breaking milestones and hard-fought victories. As the film industry gathered to celebrate the best of the past year, the atmosphere was charged with the kind of high-stakes anticipation that only a race this competitive could produce. Heading into the evening, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners held the mantle of the most-nominated film in Oscar history, boasting a staggering 16 nods. However, by the time the final envelope was opened, it was Paul Thomas Anderson’s visceral masterpiece, One Battle After Another, that emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, securing the prestigious titles of Best Picture and Best Director.
The ceremony was presided over by first-time host Conan O’Brien, whose signature brand of self-deprecating humor and absurdist energy set a surreal tone for the night. O’Brien kicked off the festivities with a pre-recorded segment that saw him channeling the unsettling antagonist from the film Weapons. The montage featured the comedian being pursued through various cinematic landscapes by an unrelenting swarm of children. The bit culminated in a live theatrical entrance, with O’Brien and the horde of kids bursting through the theater doors and sprinting down the aisles of the Dolby Theatre. In one of the night’s most talked-about comedic sketches, O’Brien staged a mock "knighting" ceremony for himself, complete with a staged blessing from the Pope and a soaring, live musical tribute performed by Josh Groban. The performance served as a reminder of O’Brien’s long-standing ability to blend high-concept comedy with the prestige of Hollywood’s biggest night.
While the comedy provided levity, the awards themselves told a story of a shifting cinematic landscape. Paul Thomas Anderson’s win for One Battle After Another marked a definitive moment for the veteran filmmaker, who has long been a favorite of the Academy but had yet to clinch the top two prizes in a single night. The film, which arrived at the ceremony with 13 nominations, was praised for its unrelenting tension and masterful technical execution. Anderson’s win for Best Director was a particularly emotional highlight, acknowledging a career defined by ambitious storytelling. The film’s success extended into the acting categories, where Sean Penn took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, further cementing the movie’s status as the definitive critical darling of 2026.
Despite the dominance of Anderson’s epic, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners did not leave empty-handed. Though it fell short in the Best Picture race, the film secured several major trophies that spoke to its immense craft and cultural impact. Michael B. Jordan earned his first Academy Award for Best Actor, delivering a powerhouse performance that many critics hailed as the pinnacle of his career to date. The film also triumphed in the technical and creative fields, winning Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. The musical soul of Sinners was also recognized, as Ludwig Göransson won the Oscar for Best Original Score. Göransson, a perennial favorite in this category, faced stiff competition from the likes of Jonny Greenwood (One Battle After Another), Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), Max Richter (Hamnet), and Jerskin Fendrix (Bugonia), but his haunting and innovative work on Coogler’s film ultimately resonated most with the voters.
In the musical categories, the Best Original Song race provided one of the evening’s most contemporary moments. The infectious hit “Golden,” from the animated feature KPop Demon Hunters, took home the prize. Written and performed by a powerhouse collective including Huntr/x, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the song has been a global chart-topper for months. Its victory over seasoned veterans like Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner (nominated for the title track of Train Dreams) and the collaboration between Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson (“I Lied To You” from Sinners) signaled the Academy’s growing embrace of diverse musical genres and global pop influences. KPop Demon Hunters also secured the award for Best Animated Feature, beating out high-profile sequels like Zootopia 2 and Disney’s Elio.
The acting categories were rounded out by some of the most acclaimed performers of the generation. Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her transformative role in Hamnet, Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of the historical novel. Buckley’s win was a testament to her rising status as one of the most versatile actors in the industry, as she triumphed over a field that included Emma Stone, Renate Reinsve, and Kate Hudson. In the Best Supporting Actress category, Amy Madigan took home the trophy for her role in Weapons, a win that was met with a standing ovation from the crowd.
The technical awards saw a significant sweep for Frankenstein, which dominated the aesthetic categories. The film’s immersive world-building was rewarded with wins for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Hair and Makeup. Meanwhile, the high-octane racing drama F1 was recognized for its technical prowess, winning Best Sound and proving that the Academy still has a deep appreciation for grand-scale blockbuster filmmaking. In the realm of visual effects, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash continued the franchise’s tradition of excellence, taking home the trophy for its groundbreaking digital artistry.
International cinema was also a major focus of the evening. Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, representing Norway, won Best International Feature. The film, which also had a strong presence in the acting and screenplay categories, solidified Trier’s reputation as one of the most poignant voices in contemporary European cinema. The documentary categories highlighted global political and social issues, with Mr. Nobody Against Putin winning Best Documentary Feature and All the Empty Rooms taking home the prize for Best Documentary Short.
One of the more surprising moments of the night occurred during the presentation of the Best Live-Action Short award. In a rare occurrence, the Academy announced a tie between The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva. Both films were celebrated for their unique narrative structures and bold creative choices, and the dual win added an extra layer of excitement to the ceremony’s final hour.
As the night concluded, the 98th Academy Awards left an indelible mark on film history. While Sinners set a new benchmark for nominations, the evening ultimately belonged to the craft and vision of Paul Thomas Anderson. Between the absurdist antics of Conan O’Brien and the celebration of both veteran legends and new global stars, the 2026 Oscars reflected a medium that continues to evolve, challenge, and entertain.
Full List of 2026 Academy Award 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 Original Screenplay: Sinners
Best Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another
Best Original Score: Ludwig Göransson, Sinners
Best Original Song: “Golden” (Huntr/x, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami), KPop Demon Hunters
Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
Best International Feature: Sentimental Value (Norway)
Best Cinematography: Sinners
Best Film Editing: One Battle After Another
Best Production Design: Frankenstein
Best Costume Design: Frankenstein
Best Hair and Makeup: Frankenstein
Best Sound: F1
Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Casting: One Battle After Another
Best Documentary Feature: Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Best Documentary Short: All the Empty Rooms
Best Animated Short: The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Best Live-Action Short (Tie): The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva