The most anticipated night in cinema delivered the drama and glory that only Hollywood knows how to deliver. One Battle After Another’, Paul Thomas Anderson’s intimate and raw exploration of fatherhood and white supremacism, was crowned the top winner of the 98th Oscar Awards 2026 by taking home six awards, snatching the limelight from critical super-favorite Sinners.
The triumph of narrative over spectacle
One Oscar after another. Congratulations to ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, this year’s Best Picture winner! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/jhr5ejoHv2
– The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 16, 2026
The film, which follows the odyssey of Bob Ferguson (a brilliant Leonardo DiCaprio) to rescue his daughter from a dangerous white supremacist (Sean Penn), managed to connect with the Academy in a year where social issues dominated the conversation.
In addition to Best Picture and Best Director, the film made history by winning the first Oscar in the Best Casting category, as well as Adapted Screenplay, Editing and Best Supporting Actor for a Sean Penn who returns to the top.
Sinners’ and Autumn Durald’s milestone.
JUST IN: The Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role goes to Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners.” #Oscars pic.twitter.com/VOvYuqiASq
– ABC News (@ABC) March 16, 2026
Despite arriving with a record 16 nominations, ‘Sinners’ had to settle for four awards.
However, one of them made history: Autumn Durald became the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography, breaking a glass ceiling that had endured for almost a century.
Michael B. Jordan also took home his long-awaited statuette for Best Actor, cementing his status as one of the most important faces of his generation.
The Guillermo del Toro and K-Pop label
‘Your project became our dream’. 🥹 This is how he receives the Oscar and they thank Guillermo del Toro for “Best Makeup and Hairstyling” on the Frankenstein film. 👏🧟♂️#ElOscarEs #PremiosOscarEs
LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/zcc8PK6xjr pic.twitter.com/yHgldB4uIJ– Azteca 7 (@AztecaSiete) March 16, 2026
Latin talent was not missing from the event.
Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ won three technical statuettes (Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup), proving that the Mexican continues to be the king of fantastic worlds.
Stellar performances and surprises
🎞️ | OSCARS 2026: HUNTR/X performing “Golden” from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” during the Oscar ceremony.
pic.twitter.com/lwo0uwlW4R– Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) March 16, 2026
On the other hand, animation had a different rhythm: the phenomenon ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ not only won Best Animated Film, but also got everyone dancing with “Golden”, winner of Best Original Song.
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley lived up to the billing for her heartbreaking role in Hamnet.
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan was the surprise of the night, beating out the favorites for her work in Weapons.
Best International Film: Norway’s Sentimental Value won against Spain’s Sirat and Brazil’s O Agente Secreto.
In his most emotional speech, Paul Thomas Anderson dedicated his award to his children, describing the film as an “apology” for the world that past generations have left for the young.
With this triumph, Anderson finally established himself as one of the architects of modern cinema.
Filed under: Maximum Oscar Winner 2026
