Hollywood celebrated the films of 2025 on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as the 98th Academy Awards were presented at the Dolby Theatre. Conan O’Brien returned as host for the second consecutive year, leading a ceremony that balanced humor, tributes to the film industry, and recognition for a wide range of filmmaking styles. By the end of the evening, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle after Another emerged as the clear standout, earning six Academy Awards and leading the field in total wins.
The film captured the night’s highest honor, Best Picture, and also brought Anderson the Oscar for Best Director. In addition, the movie received awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing, along with Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. The production also claimed the Academy’s newly introduced award for Best Casting, presented to Cassandra Kulukundis.
Critics and audiences had already taken notice of One Battle after Another during awards season, and the film’s success at the Oscars confirmed its strong standing within the industry. Anderson’s direction and screenplay were widely praised for blending dark humor with a layered narrative, while the ensemble cast helped bring the film’s characters and shifting tone to life.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners followed closely behind with four wins. Michael B. Jordan received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his lead performance in the film, which combines elements of supernatural horror with drama. Coogler also won Best Original Screenplay, recognizing the film’s distinctive story and dialogue. Composer Ludwig Göransson earned the Oscar for Best Original Score, while Autumn Durald Arkapaw won for Best Cinematography.
Durald Arkapaw’s award marked a milestone for the cinematography category, as she became the first woman and the first Black cinematographer to receive the Academy Award in that field. Her work on Sinners was widely noted for its bold visual style and striking use of color and shadow.
The acting categories produced several memorable moments during the ceremony. Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet, portraying Agnes Shakespeare in the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about the family of William Shakespeare. Buckley’s portrayal drew praise throughout the awards season for its emotional depth and quiet intensity.
Amy Madigan took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons. The documentary category also drew attention, with Mr. Nobody against Putin winning Best Documentary Feature. The film examines political dissent in contemporary Russia and the experiences of individuals who challenge state authority.
Several films found success in the craft categories. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein won three awards, taking Oscars for Costume Design, Production Design, and Makeup and Hairstyling. The film’s gothic visual style and elaborate sets made it a strong contender in those categories throughout the awards season.
Animation also played a role in the evening’s results. KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature and also received the award for Best Original Song for the track “Golden.” In the international category, Norway’s Sentimental Value was named Best International Feature Film, continuing the Academy’s recognition of films produced outside the United States.
The ceremony also reflected changes within the Academy itself. This year marked the debut of the Best Casting category, which honors the casting directors responsible for assembling a film’s ensemble. The new award went to Cassandra Kulukundis for her work on One Battle after Another.
As in previous years, the show paused to remember members of the film community who died over the past year. The expanded In Memoriam segment included tributes from several well-known figures. Billy Crystal introduced a segment honoring director Rob Reiner, while Barbra Streisand paid tribute to actor and filmmaker Robert Redford.
The evening brought together major studio productions, independent films, international cinema, and documentaries in a single celebration of filmmaking. By the close of the ceremony, One Battle after Another had established itself as the most awarded film of the night, with Sinners close behind and several other films recognized across the acting and technical categories.
Best Picture
One Battle after Another
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle after Another
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Sean Penn – One Battle after Another
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Madigan – Weapons
Best Original Screenplay
Sinners – Ryan Coogler
Best Adapted Screenplay
One Battle after Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
Best International Feature Film
Sentimental Value (Norway)
Best Animated Feature Film
KPop Demon Hunters
Best Original Score
Sinners – Ludwig Göransson
Best Original Song
“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters
Best Cinematography
Sinners – Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Best Costume Design
Frankenstein – Kate Hawley
Best Production Design
Frankenstein
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Frankenstein
Best Film Editing
One Battle after Another
Best Sound
F1
Best Visual Effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash
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