‘One Battle After Another’ Sweeps Oscars 2026, Claims Six Total Wins

The 98th Academy Awards, held Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre, delivered a night of first-time winners, emotional tributes, and a dominant performance by Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic “One Battle After Another,” which took home the best picture Oscar along with five other awards.

Hosted by Conan O’Brien for his second consecutive year, the ceremony blended sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and a celebration of cinema amid a competitive field that included Ryan Coogler’s record-nomination “Sinners” and Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet.”

“One Battle After Another,” Anderson’s wry exploration of nativism and activism, emerged as the evening’s biggest winner with six Oscars. The film secured best picture, best director for Anderson (his first win in the category), best adapted screenplay (also for Anderson), best supporting actor for Sean Penn, best film editing, and best casting.

Penn, absent from the ceremony, became a three-time Oscar winner, tying a record for male actors in supporting roles. Anderson’s long-awaited hardware marked a breakthrough after previous nominations without victories.

“Sinners,” which entered the night with a record-tying 16 nominations, earned four awards, including best actor for Michael B. Jordan in his dual role as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Jordan’s win was a career milestone, and he used his acceptance speech to honor predecessors in Black cinema. The film also claimed best original screenplay for Ryan Coogler, best original score for Ludwig Göransson, and best cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw — the first woman to win in that category.

Jessie Buckley won best actress for her lead performance in “Hamnet,” directed by Chloé Zhao, becoming the first Irish winner in the category. Buckley’s portrayal in the adaptation earned praise for its emotional depth.

Supporting actress went to Amy Madigan for “Weapons,” while other notable wins included a historic first for a K-pop song in best original song.

The ceremony featured emotional tributes, including an In Memoriam segment honoring late Hollywood figures, and standout performances. “Sinners” and other films brought high-energy moments, with risqué jokes from O’Brien and appearances from past winners like Adrien Brody, Zoe Saldaña, and Mikey Madison as presenters.

Red carpet highlights included bold fashion choices, with stars embracing dramatic looks ahead of the show.

“One Battle After Another” producer Adam Somner, Sara Murphy, and Anderson accepted the best picture award, capping a sweep that reflected the film’s critical and industry acclaim.

The night’s historic elements — from Arkapaw’s cinematography win to Buckley’s breakthrough — underscored a diverse slate of films and performers.

As the 2026 awards season concluded, “One Battle After Another” stood out as the defining achievement, blending Anderson’s signature style with timely themes in a film that resonated deeply with Academy voters.