The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, bringing together the most discussed films, directors, and actors of the past year. The ceremony traditionally marks the end of the awards season, but it also defines the cultural memory of cinema for years ahead, confirming which films will remain part of film history beyond box office success.
This year the main triumph belonged to One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, which won the award for Best Picture and became the most awarded film of the evening.
Anderson also received the Oscar for Best Director, reinforcing his position as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. The film was widely discussed throughout the season for its scale, complex narrative, and strong ensemble cast, and the Academy’s decision confirmed its status as the central work of the year.
In the acting categories, the awards went to performers whose roles had already dominated critics’ discussions during the festival circuit. Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners, a performance praised for its intensity and emotional control.
Jessie Buckley received the award for Best Actress for Hamnet, continuing her rise as one of the most respected actors of contemporary cinema. In supporting roles, Sean Penn won for One Battle After Another, while Amy Madigan was awarded for Weapons, a result that many critics described as one of the evening’s surprises.
The ceremony also reflected the growing influence of large-scale productions alongside auteur cinema. Sinners received several technical awards, including Original Score and Cinematography, confirming the film’s strong visual identity. Frankenstein won in Production Design and Costume Design, categories where the Academy often rewards detailed world-building and historical precision. In visual effects, the award went to Avatar: Fire and Ash, continuing the franchise’s long association with technological innovation.
During the ceremony, Vogue Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour appeared on stage together with Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway to present the awards for Costume Design as well as Hair and Makeup. They handed the Oscars to Frankenstein costume designer Kate Hawley and to hair and makeup artists Mike Hill, Cliona Furey, Jordan Samuel, and Megan Many, one of the evening’s most talked-about onstage moments.
Among international productions, the Oscar for Best International Feature Film went to Norway’s Sentimental Value, while the documentary category was won by Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a film that attracted attention for its political subject and festival success.
In animation, KPop Demon Hunters took the award for Best Animated Feature, showing the Academy’s continued interest in global animation projects beyond traditional American studios.
As always, the Oscars function not only as an industry award but also as a reflection of the moment in which they take place. The 2026 ceremony balanced large studio productions, independent films, and international cinema, suggesting a year in which the Academy once again tried to combine artistic recognition with global relevance.
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