Held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the 98th Academy Awards celebrated both industry veterans finally getting recognized and newcomers making history.
At the end of a long awards season, Hollywood’s biggest night finally arrived.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the 2026 Oscars blended humor, emotional speeches, and moments that reflected conversations happening beyond the film industry. The ceremony highlighted milestone wins, historic achievements, and artists receiving their first Academy Awards.
From the major wins of One Battle After Another to a historic victory for a K-pop song, the night captured the excitement, creativity, and global influence of today’s film industry.
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One Battle After Another dominates the night
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another emerged as the evening’s biggest winner. The film took home Best Picture, while Anderson also won Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. For the acclaimed filmmaker, the victory marked a long-awaited moment. Anderson had been nominated multiple times over three decades but had never won an Oscar until now.
Accepting the Best Picture award, Anderson reflected on the competitive year in film and acknowledged the strong lineup of nominees.
The film, which explores activism and political radicalism, had built momentum throughout awards season and held its position as a frontrunner heading into the ceremony.
A night of first-time winners
The 2026 Oscars also stood out for celebrating a wave of first-time winners.
Ryan Coogler won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, adding another milestone to a career already defined by influential films like Fruitvale Station and Black Panther.
Michael B. Jordan also secured his first Academy Award for his performance in Sinners, where he played two roles. During his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to Black actors who paved the way before him.
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress, and veteran actress Amy Madigan earned her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the horror film Weapons. The win came nearly four decades after her first nomination.
Historic wins across categories
Several categories saw historic achievements.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners, making history as the first woman to receive the award.
Casting directors were also recognized for the first time at the Academy Awards. Cassandra Kulukundis won the inaugural Best Casting Oscar for One Battle After Another, marking a long-overdue moment of recognition for the profession.
Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature, while its song “Golden” won Best Original Song, becoming a rare K-pop moment at the Oscars.
Powerful speeches and political moments
Like many recent awards ceremonies, the 2026 Oscars also featured several political statements.
Documentary winners spoke about gun violence in the United States, while filmmakers used their speeches to highlight global conflicts and human rights issues.
Actor Javier Bardem called for peace during his presentation, saying “No to war” and voicing support for Palestine.
Host Conan O’Brien opened the night by acknowledging the difficult global climate but encouraged viewers to find hope in storytelling and creativity.
Another memorable moment came when fashion editor Anna Wintour joined Anne Hathaway onstage to present the awards for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. For many viewers, the pairing also felt like a playful nod to The Devil Wears Prada, which is also very timely as the sequel to the iconic film is coming to theaters this May.
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And of course, one of the most energetic moments of the night came during the live performance of “Golden” from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters. Singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami took the stage in coordinated white outfits, joined by dancers and bright gold visuals. In a playful nod to K-pop concert culture, audience members were given light sticks and waved them throughout the performance.
A memorable In Memoriam tribute
One of the evening’s most emotional segments was the In Memoriam tribute honoring late Hollywood icons.
Barbra Streisand delivered a heartfelt moment remembering Robert Redford, performing part of the song “The Way We Were.” Other tributes honored figures such as Diane Keaton and Rob Reiner.
Our favorite looks from the 2026 Oscars red carpet
By the time the final award was handed out at the 98th Academy Awards, the fashion moments of the night had already made their mark. The Oscars red carpet remains one of Hollywood’s biggest style stages, where actors, filmmakers, and presenters arrive in looks designed for cinema’s most glamorous evening.
Stars from films like Sinners, Hamnet, One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, and Sentimental Value stepped out in custom gowns, sharp tailoring, and statement pieces.
But not every standout look actually walked the red carpet. Zendaya, who skipped the red carpet, still made our list when she appeared onstage to present an award alongside Robert Pattinson.
Below, we round up some of our favorite looks from the 2026 Oscars:
If you missed the ceremony — or simply want to relive the highlights — the 98th Academy Awards is available to stream on Disney+. And for the official list of winners, check them here
