The final wrap of 2026 award season came to an end with the 98th Academy Awards, bringing together the biggest names in film to celebrate the best of 2025.
It had taken place on Sunday, March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, hosted by Conan O’Brien.
The ceremony continues to serve as one of the most influential nights in the film industry, recognizing both mainstream success and independent storytelling on a global scale.
The 98th Academy Awards opened the ceremony with a major performance by Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq, who performed the nominated song “I Lied to You” from the film “Sinners.” The performance, which transformed the Oscars stage into a Southern juke joint, featured guest appearances by Misty Copeland, Shaboozey and more.
One of the most notable films of the night was “One Battle After Another,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film dominated the ceremony, winning six awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film also won in categories like editing and casting, showing its impact across multiple areas of filmmaking.
Another major contender, with sixteen nominations, was the film “Sinners,” which had a strong presence throughout the night. New Jersey native Michael B. Jordan won his first Oscar for Best Actor, with his win reflecting both his performance and broader representation in leading roles, making him the sixth Black man to win in his category.
Director Ryan Coogler took home his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Coogler was nominated for writing the film and became the second Black filmmaker to win in his category.
The film also secured awards for Best Score and Best Cinematography.
Ryan Coogler holds his Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, Ludwig Goransson with his Oscar for Best Original Score, Autumn Durald Arkapaw with her Oscar for Cinematography anf Michael B. Jordan with his Oscar for Actor in a Leading Role, all for "Sinners" during the 98th Annual Academy Awards held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)
Despite the major wins, the night also included more controversial moments.
Timothée Chalamet lost the Best Actor award for his role in “Marty Supreme” to Michael B. Jordan. He was later mocked by host Conan O’Brien following backlash over his comments that “no one cares” about ballet and opera. The actor left the award show empty-handed.
In the acting categories, the Oscars recognized a diverse group of performances.
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her role in “Hamnet,” marking a significant achievement in her career. Meanwhile, Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for “Weapons,” and Sean Penn earned Best Supporting Actor for “One Battle After Another.”
These awards reflected the Academy’s continuous appreciation for both established actors and evolving talent in the industry.
One of the most groundbreaking achievements came from Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on “Sinners.” This milestone represented a significant step forward in addressing long-standing gender and racial disparities in technical film categories.
In addition to major Hollywood productions, international and independent films received strong recognition. “Sentimental Value” from Norway won Best International Feature Film, emphasizing the global reach of cinema and the Academy’s increasing inclusivity.
Similarly, “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” won Best Documentary Feature, showcasing the importance of political and social storytelling in contemporary filmmaking.
Animated and technical categories also played a key role in the ceremony. “KPop Demon Hunters” won Best Animated Feature as well as Best Original Song for “Golden,” demonstrating the growing popularity and artistic value of animated films.
Meanwhile, “Frankenstein” earned multiple technical awards, including Production Design, Costume Design and Makeup and Hairstyling, calling attention to the excellence in visual world-building.
The documentary short “All the Empty Rooms” won its category and delivered one of the night’s most powerful speeches, focusing on themes of grief and loss.
The Oscars also reflected changes in audience engagement. Viewership declined compared to previous years, suggesting a shift in how audiences consume live events.
The Academy saw an increased social media interaction, indicating that while traditional television audiences may be shrinking, digital engagement is growing.
Overall, the 98th Academy Awards highlighted a mix of blockbuster success, artistic innovation and historic progress.
The ceremony ultimately demonstrated that while the film industry continues to change, the Oscars remain a significant cultural event that celebrates storytelling, creativity and global cinematic excellence, even as audiences engage with it in a new and evolving way.
