Hollywood witnessed a long-awaited moment at the 98th Academy Awards, where one of cinema’s most respected filmmakers finally claimed the crown.
After decades of critical acclaim but no Oscars to show for it, Paul Thomas Anderson delivered the night’s biggest triumph as his political thriller One Battle After Another swept the ceremony. The film captured Best Picture, Best Director, and six Oscars overall, making it the undeniable champion of the evening.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony took place on March 15, 2026, at the iconic Dolby Theatre and the night quickly turned into a thrilling showdown between Anderson’s film and Ryan Coogler’s supernatural epic Sinners.
Here are the moments everyone is still talking about.
The Night Belonged to Paul Thomas Anderson
For years, Paul Thomas Anderson has been one of Hollywood’s most revered directors
but Oscar gold had always slipped through his fingers.
That streak finally ended when One Battle After Another swept several major categories, giving Anderson his first Best Director Oscar and cementing the film as the night’s biggest winner.
Total wins for One Battle After Another: 6
- Best Picture
- Best Director – Paul Thomas Anderson
- Best Adapted Screenplay – Paul Thomas Anderson
- Best Supporting Actor – Sean Penn
- Best Film Editing – Andy Jurgensen
- Best Casting – Cassandra Kulukundis
And that last category made history.
A Brand New Oscar Category Debuts
The Academy introduced a historic new category this year: Best Casting.
The first ever winner was Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another, recognizing the often unsung work casting directors do to build unforgettable ensembles.
Industry insiders have long argued that casting is one of the most crucial creative decisions in filmmaking, making the category’s debut feel long overdue.
Michael B. Jordan’s Historic Best Actor Win
One of the loudest cheers of the night came when Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor for his powerhouse performance in Sinners.
Jordan played twin brothers Smoke and Stack, delivering two distinct performances in the same film, a feat that helped him edge out a competitive field that included Timothée Chalamet.
The win made Oscar history:
Jordan became the first actor ever to win an Academy Award for portraying twins in the same film.
Fans online immediately flooded social media celebrating the milestone.
A Cinematography Breakthrough
Another defining moment of the ceremony came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won
Best Cinematography for Sinners.
Her victory wasn’t just a win, it was a landmark moment in Oscar history:
- First woman ever to win Best Cinematography
- First woman of color to win the category
For many viewers, it was the most significant breakthrough of the night.
K-Pop Makes Oscar History
The global influence of K-Pop officially reached Hollywood’s biggest stage.
The animated musical KPop Demon Hunters scored two major wins:
- Best Animated Feature
- Best Original Song – “Golden”
The film’s victory marked the first time a K-Pop related project has won an Oscar.
Even more historic: directors Maggie Kang and Michelle L.M. Wong became the first Asian women to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, adding another milestone to the film’s success.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Quietly Dominates the Craft Awards
While the spotlight stayed on the major categories, Guillermo del Toro’s gothic epic Frankenstein quietly swept the aesthetic side of the Oscars.
The film captured what many are calling the “technical triple crown.”
Wins for Frankenstein:
- Best Production Design – Tamara Deverell & Shane Vieau
- Best Costume Design – Kate Hawley
- Best Makeup & Hairstyling – Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel & Cliona Furey
Given del Toro’s reputation for visually rich storytelling, the sweep felt almost inevitable.
Other Major Technical Winners
Several blockbuster films also took home major craft awards:
- Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash**
- Best Sound: F1**
- Best Original Score: Ludwig Göransson for Sinners
These wins highlighted the impressive scale and technical artistry across this year’s nominees.
A Rare Oscar Tie
In one of the ceremony’s most surprising twists, Best Live Action Short Film ended in
a tie, something that rarely happens in Academy history.
Both films shared the award:
- The Singers
- Two People Exchanging Saliva
It marked only the seventh tie in the history of the Oscars.
Emotional Moments During In Memoriam
The ceremony also delivered several emotional moments during the In Memoriam segment honoring film legends.
Highlights included:
- Barbra Streisand introducing a tribute to Robert Redford
- Billy Crystal presenting a heartfelt remembrance for Rob Reiner
The segment also honored Diane Keaton, with the audience responding with emotional standing ovations.
The Final Scorecard
When the final envelope was opened, the Oscars had a clear set of champions.
Top Winners of the Night
- One Battle After Another — 6 wins
- Sinners — 4 wins
- Frankenstein — 3 wins
- KPop Demon Hunters — 2 wins
What Fans Are Talking About Now
By the time the curtain closed, the 98th Academy Awards had delivered historic breakthroughs, long awaited victories, and several unforgettable firsts.
From Paul Thomas Anderson’s overdue triumph to Michael B. Jordan’s historic twin role win, the ceremony gave film fans plenty to celebrate and plenty to debate.
And if the reaction online is any indication, these wins will shape conversations about cinema long after the red carpet has been rolled away. 🎬
