2026 Oscars dominated by “One Battle After Another”

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony stood out as one of the most dynamic and emotional in recent years. It balanced prestige and unpredictability long-awaited victories, alongside the now customary sharp political humour and memorable on-stage moments, making the whole event feel both celebratory and culturally relevant.

One Battle After Another was the big winner of the night taking six gongs, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor. Sinners followed closely behind, earning four Oscars, including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, who delivered one of the evening’s most emotional speeches.

There was also the first tie since 2013, with Best Live Action Short being awarded jointly to The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva.

Extra security

It is always Hollywood’s biggest night and the 2026 Oscars certainly lived up to its billing. Authorities in Los Angeles heavily enhanced this year’s security due to the US and Israel’s war in Iran with additional layers added to perimeters, stricter traffic management plans, and a highly visible police presence throughout the nearby area.

Warner Bros record equalling night

Warner Bros Studios were certainly celebrating after walking away with a record-equalling 11 Oscars from their initial 30 nominations.

Twenty-nine of their 30 nominations came from the two main rivals for the big awards: Sinners (16) and One Battle After Another (13), with only Amy Madigan’s supporting actress nomination for Weapons being from a different movie.

It ties for the most most wins by a studio at the Academy Awards with MGM (1959 for Ben-Hur), Paramount (1997 with Titanic) and New Line Cinema (2003 for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King).

Battle won

One Battle After Another – the action thriller about a washed-up revolutionary battling old foes for the safety of his daughter – picked up Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (for Sean Penn), Best Casting, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing and of course the Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, the first in his three-decade career.

No sin in second best

Ryan Coogler’s period vampire thriller: Sinners – which celebrates the origins of Blues music and southern Black culture – earned four awards, including a history-making win in Best Cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw making her the first women to win in that category.

There was also a hugely popular Best Actor in a Leading Role victory for Michael B. Jordan. He mentioned the likes of: Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Fox, and even Will Smith in his acceptance speech, calling them “giants” as he thanked his supporters for “betting” him as continued to be the “best version of myself I can be.”

The film also won Best Original Score and Best Original Screenplay.

No monstrous success 

Despite featuring in amongst the nominations in many categories, Frankenstein failed to trouble the really top awards, but it did find success in what would be classed as the  craft brackets. Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 208-year-old tale scooped Oscar’s for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, plus Best Makeup and Hair. 

Other notable winners

Jessie Buckley’s remarkable performance in Hamnet had been widely tipped to earn her a gong for Best Actress in a Leading Role, but she was still extremely emotional when receiving the award. 

Joachim Trier’s Norwegian family drama, Sentimental Value, together with Josh Safdie’s table tennis period piece, Marty Supreme, received nine nominations between them. However, Trier won the only Oscar for Best International Feature, beating out hot Brazilian contender – The Secret Agent. 

K-Pop Demon Hunters was a double winner in Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song; whilst the Best Documentary Feature was won by Mr. Nobody Against Putin – although that probably predictably received a subdued reaction.