2026 Oscars: Surprises, Snubs, and Historic Wins at the 98th Academy Awards
The 98th Academy Awards concluded on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with a mix of expected victories and surprising upsets. The evening saw Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” and Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” dominate the nominations and awards, even as several individual performances also garnered significant recognition. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest moments from Hollywood’s biggest night.
“One Battle After Another” Takes Best Picture
In a close race, “One Battle After Another” secured the coveted Best Picture award, edging out “Sinners.” Despite “Sinners” leading with a record 16 nominations, “One Battle After Another” ultimately took home six awards to “Sinners’” four.
Michael B. Jordan Wins Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan surprised many by winning Best Actor for his dual role in “Sinners.” Timothée Chalamet, previously considered the frontrunner for his performance in “Marty Supreme,” did not win any awards for his performance.
Casting Directors Recognized, But a Snub for Francine Maisler
Cassandra Kulukundis won the Oscar for best casting for “One Battle After Another,” despite predictions that Francine Maisler would win for her perform on “Sinners.” The Academy introduced a new award for casting this year.
Unexpected Introductions and a Dig at Sean Penn
Paul Mescal, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Chase Infiniti were unexpected presenters, introducing the nominees for the casting director award. Kieran Culkin used his acceptance speech to playfully acknowledge Sean Penn’s absence, stating, “He couldn’t be here this evening, or didn’t want to.” Penn won his third Oscar for his performance in “Sinners.”
Tie in Live Action Short Film Category
In a rare occurrence, the Live Action Short Film category resulted in a tie between “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” marking only the seventh tie in Oscar history.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw Makes History with Cinematography Win
Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for her work on “Sinners,” becoming the first woman and the first woman of color to receive the award.
Documentary Feature Upset
“Mr Nobody Against Putin” won Best Documentary Feature, defeating the widely predicted winner, “The Perfect Neighbor,” a Netflix documentary about police body cam footage.
Animated Short Film Surprise
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” took home the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film, upsetting the favorite, “Butterfly.”
Technical Difficulties Mar the Broadcast
The telecast was not without its issues. Viewers noted several fumbled camera shots and incorrect blocking during key moments, such as the Rob Reiner tribute. Sound mixing issues also occurred, with piano music overpowering Barbra Streisand’s speech about Robert Redford.
Burger King’s Prominent Advertising Presence
The prevalence of Burger King commercials during the broadcast drew attention, with some viewers commenting on the swift-food chain’s marketing campaign.
A full list of winners can be found here.