98th Academy Awards: Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ Wins Best Picture
LOS ANGELES — The 98th Academy Awards celebrated a year of cinematic innovation and historic breakthroughs, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another emerging as the night’s biggest winner.
The film, a high-stakes political thriller, took home six Oscars, including the prestigious Best Picture award.
Historical Milestones in Acting and Craft
The 2026 ceremony will be remembered for several "firsts" that shifted the industry's landscape.
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech after winning for her role in Hamnet. Buckley is the first Irish actress to win the award, surpassing a talented field of nominees. She dedicated her win to the "beautiful chaos of a mother's heart," a nod to her role as Agnes Shakespeare.
Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan secured the Best Actor trophy for his dual performance in the horror-thriller Sinners. In his address, Jordan emphasized the importance of "doing the work" and honored the legacy of Black cinematic pioneers like Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington.
Best Cinematography: In a landmark moment, Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win an Oscar in this category for her visual work on Sinners.
The Inaugural Casting Award
For the first time in Oscar history, the Academy recognized the art of casting. Cassandra Kulukundis took home the inaugural Best Casting award for One Battle After Another. Kulukundis, a long-time collaborator of Paul Thomas Anderson, noted that the win felt like a "full circle" moment after working together on ten films.
A Rare Academy Tie and Technical Excellence
In a surprising turn, the Best Live Action Short Film category resulted in a tie—a rare occurrence that has only happened six times in the Academy's century-long history. The honors were shared by:
The Singers
Two People Exchanging Saliva
In the technical categories, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash won Best Visual Effects, continuing the franchise's dominance in digital world-building. Meanwhile, the horror genre saw a rare surge in mainstream recognition, with Amy Madigan winning Best Supporting Actress for Weapons.
98th Oscars: At a Glance (Major Winners)
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | Paul Thomas Anderson | One Battle After Another |
| Best Actress | Jessie Buckley | Hamnet |
| Best Actor | Michael B. Jordan | Sinners |
| Best Cinematography | Autumn Durald Arkapaw | Sinners |
| Best Casting | Cassandra Kulukundis | One Battle After Another |
| Best Visual Effects | Wētā FX | Avatar: Fire and Ash |
Red Carpet and Cultural Impact
Beyond the trophies, the Oscars remained a global fashion stage. Rose Byrne turned heads in a custom Chanel gown, while the stars of KPop Demon Hunters brought high-energy fashion to the red carpet.
The night wasn't without its poignant moments; the "In Memoriam" segment featured a moving tribute to Hollywood legends Robert Redford, Catherine O’Hara, and Rob Reiner, with a special performance by Barbra Streisand.
Final Results: 98th Academy Awards Highlights
The Night’s Top Honors
Best Picture: Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller, One Battle After Another, claimed the night’s most prestigious award. The film was the overall leader of the ceremony, taking home a total of six Oscars.
Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan earned his first Oscar for his powerful performance in Sinners. In a moving tribute, he credited his success to the trailblazing Black actors who preceded him and shared a philosophy of hard work passed down by his father.
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley secured the win for her role in Hamnet. She makes history as the first Irish woman to win the Best Actress category. She dedicated the victory to the profound love and "beautiful chaos" of motherhood.
Groundbreaking Achievements
Cinematography Milestone: Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman in history to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners. She noted that her win serves as a beacon for young girls aspiring to enter the technical fields of filmmaking.
Inaugural Casting Award: The Academy presented its first-ever Oscar for Best Casting, awarded to Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another, marking a milestone for her long-standing collaboration with director Paul Thomas Anderson.
A Rare Tie: In a statistical anomaly that has only occurred six times in nearly 100 years, the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film resulted in a tie between The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva.
Visuals and Style
Visual Effects: James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash was recognized for its technical mastery, winning the Best Visual Effects category.
Fashion Highlights: The red carpet showcased high-fashion statements, with Best Actress nominee Rose Byrne appearing in custom Chanel, while the cast of KPop Demon Hunters brought a modern, vibrant energy to the silver carpet.
