Oscars 2026 Winners: ‘One Battle After Another’ Takes Best Picture as Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley Win Big
Studio handouts, Inivision/AP
Los Angeles, March 16 (TheTrendingPeople): The 98th Academy Awards concluded in dramatic fashion as One Battle After Another secured the coveted Best Picture award, marking a strong finish for director Paul Thomas Anderson at Hollywood’s biggest night.
Held at the Dolby Theatre, the ceremony wrapped up one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in recent years. The political thriller finished the night with six major wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing.
Event Timeline: From Record Nominations to Final Wins
The awards season leading up to the ceremony had already hinted at a tight race. Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, entered the night as the most nominated film in Academy history with 16 nominations — surpassing the previous record of 14 nominations held by Titanic, All About Eve, and La La Land.
However, momentum gradually shifted toward One Battle After Another, which had earlier won top honours at the Golden Globe Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and the Directors Guild of America.
As the envelopes were opened at the Oscars, the film’s dominance continued. Anderson won Best Director, while editor Andy Jurgensen received the Best Film Editing award, reinforcing the film’s strong position throughout the night.
Major Acting Wins
Among the biggest highlights of the ceremony was Michael B. Jordan winning Best Actor for his performance in Sinners. The victory marked his first Academy Award and placed him among the few Black actors to win the category, following legends such as Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and Will Smith.
Meanwhile, Irish actor Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao. This marked Buckley’s first Oscar win after her earlier nomination in 2022 for The Lost Daughter.
The ceremony also celebrated achievements across several major craft categories.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners, becoming the first woman to ever receive the award in the category. Composer Ludwig Göransson secured Best Original Score for the same film, marking his third Oscar after previous wins for Black Panther and Oppenheimer.
The Best Original Song award went to “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters, making history as the first K-pop track to win the category.
In the international category, Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier won Best International Feature Film for Sentimental Value, beating nominees such as The Secret Agent.
The Best Documentary Feature award went to Mr. Nobody Against Putin, produced by David Borenstein, Pavel Talankin, Helle Faber and Alžběta Karásková.
Global Audience and Broadcast
The Oscars ceremony was watched by millions worldwide, with Indian viewers able to stream the event live through JioHotstar and Star Movies starting at 5:30 AM IST.
Industry observers noted that the 2026 Oscars reflected the Academy’s growing openness to international cinema and genre storytelling, as seen in the diverse Best Picture lineup.
Why This Matters
The outcome of the 98th Academy Awards highlights the evolving landscape of global cinema. With record nominations for Sinners, strong critical momentum for One Battle After Another, and historic wins across categories, the ceremony showcased how modern filmmaking increasingly blends blockbuster scale with artistic experimentation.
The success of international projects and genre films also reflects changing voting patterns within the Academy, which has expanded its global membership in recent years.
As the curtain closed on the 2026 Oscars, One Battle After Another emerged as the night’s biggest winner, cementing Paul Thomas Anderson’s long-awaited triumph at the Academy Awards. With breakthrough victories and historic milestones across multiple categories, the ceremony delivered a memorable end to one of the most competitive awards seasons in recent history.
Our Final Thoughts
The 98th Academy Awards demonstrated that modern Oscar races are becoming increasingly unpredictable. The competition between Sinners and One Battle After Another highlighted how nominations, guild awards, and global buzz can all shape the final outcome. While Sinners dominated nominations and technical categories, One Battle After Another ultimately secured the top prize through strong support across key voting blocs. The ceremony also reflected broader industry shifts — including greater international participation, recognition of diverse storytelling, and historic milestones in representation. As Hollywood continues to evolve, award seasons are likely to remain dynamic and competitive, keeping audiences engaged until the final envelope is opened.