Oscars 2026: Did the Academy Nail It?

The Long-Awaited Oscars Recap

The 98th Academy Awards have come and gone, marking the titular closing act of another awards season that felt equal parts endless and exhilarating. I mean, after weeks of relentless campaigning, prognostications, and enough FYC ads to cover the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood finally gave us the verdict we've all been waiting for.

For those keeping score, One Battle After Another dominated the night with six wins, including the coveted Best Picture. The film was a creative juggernaut and quite frankly, the evening belonged to it. This couldn't have been more evident as a parade of actors and filmmakers took to the stage, breathing life into what can sometimes feel like an overly-elaborate ceremony with their performances.

Coming in close was Sinners with four Oscars, featuring a standout win for Michael B. Jordan, who took home the Best Actor award. This marked a significant moment in Oscar history, as Jordan's triumph makes him only the seventh Black man to win in this category. It felt poignant to witness.

There were also noteworthy wins for Frankenstein, which took home three Oscars, and KPop Demon Hunters, securing two including Best Original Song for the megahit “Golden.” The night unfolded like a classic movie—full of surprises and buzzworthy moments.

Highlights and Surprises

Every moment told a story. This year's ceremony was bursting at the seams with emotion.

Amy Madigan opened the awards with a win for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons, marking a notable recognition for horror—a genre often left in the shadows during awards season. On the male side, Sean Penn claimed his third Oscar for the aforementioned One Battle After Another, joining the exclusive club of actors who have won three Academy Awards. Only Katharine Hepburn has bested him with four, and she's a certified legend.

In the leading categories, Jessie Buckley was a shoo-in for Best Actress for her striking performance in Hamnet. Critics lauded her work as one of the finest in modern cinema, which only cemented the evening's weighty expectations.

The Comedy and Commentary of Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien, like a seasoned maestro, took charge of the evening with his customary wit and charm. His opening sketch, featuring him dressed as Aunt Gladys, scampering from children through nods to nearly every Best Picture nominee, was both unhinged and delightful. It's exactly the kind of madness we've come to expect and love from the Oscars.

During his monologue, he didn't shy away from cheeky jabs, poking fun at Timothée Chalamet's prior comments about ballet and opera and lightly ribbing Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos for sitting in a theater—the gall, really!—and warning the audience about potentially political speeches. It was a mix of laughter and unease, but isn't that the essence of Oscar night?

A Night Marked by Firsts

The 2026 Oscars were also laden with notable firsts. Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history by winning Best Cinematography for Sinners, the first woman to capture this title—a victory long overdue in an industry where such achievements have often gone unnoticed.

Meanwhile, the night's In Memoriam segment tugged at heartstrings as veterans like Billy Crystal honored industry legends, reminding us just how much this creative space has lost. The spotlight felt heavier yet so vital, illustrating the lineage of our artistic ancestors.

Full List of Winners

• BEST PICTURE: One Battle After Another
• BEST DIRECTOR: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
• BEST ACTOR: Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
• BEST ACTRESS: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Sean Penn, One Battle After Another
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Amy Madigan, Weapons
• BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Sinners
• BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: One Battle After Another
• BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: KPop Demon Hunters
• BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM: Sentimental Value

This year's extravaganza was your classic Oscars affair: a blend of predictable outcomes, breathtaking moments, and a few head-scratchers along the way. After all, what would the Academy Awards be without a hint of chaos?

Conclusion

In the end, the 2026 ceremony felt adequately reflective of our times—reminding us just how influential storytelling can be. As we slip back into the regular grind of film going and press screening, let's not forget these narratives that enthralled and disrupted our status quo.