2026 Oscars: Winners, Highlights, and Key Moments

The 98th Academy Awards, held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, celebrated the best in film with a night of both expected triumphs and surprising moments. One Battle After Another took home the coveted Best Picture award, while Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley were recognized for their leading performances. The ceremony also marked a historic moment with the first-ever Academy Award for achievement in casting.

Key Winners

• Best Picture: One Battle After Another
• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
• Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan (One Battle After Another)
• Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
• Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler (Sinners)
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
• Best Casting: Cassandra Kulukundis (One Battle After Another)

A Night of Firsts and Ties

The 2026 Oscars saw several notable moments. Cassandra Kulukundis received the Academy’s inaugural award for achievement in casting, recognizing the crucial role casting directors play in filmmaking. The live action short film category resulted in a rare tie between The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva – the first tie since 2013, when Zero Dark Thirty and Skyfall tied in the sound editing category. NPR reports that the ceremony also included political statements, with Javier Bardem calling for “No to war and free Palestine” while presenting the award for best international feature film.

Beyond the Awards

David Borenstein, co-director of the winning feature documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin, used his acceptance speech to highlight the importance of individual complicity, stating that countries are “lost through countless tiny, little acts of complicity.”

Red Carpet Highlights

The 2026 Oscars red carpet, as always, was a showcase of high fashion. While specific looks from this year are still being discussed, the event continues a long tradition of iconic fashion moments. InStyle highlights past memorable looks, and Firstpost revisits iconic red carpet moments from years past, building anticipation for future fashion statements.