Hollywood’s biggest night returned with glamour and celebration as the Academy Awards honoured the best films and performances of the past year. The 2026 ceremony delivered several memorable moments, with the film One Battle After Another emerging as the biggest winner of the night.
The film led the awards tally with six wins, including the coveted Best Picture award. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the movie also secured victories in major categories such as Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Casting.
The acting categories produced strong competition and emotional moments as several of Hollywood’s biggest stars were recognised for their performances.
The Best Actress award went to Jessie Buckley for her performance in Hamnet, where she delivered a powerful portrayal that resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike.
In the Best Actor category, Michael B. Jordan secured the honour for his role in the drama Sinners. His performance stood out among strong nominees including Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke and Wagner Moura.
The Best Supporting Actress award went to Amy Madigan for her role in Weapons, while Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his role in One Battle After Another, adding to the film’s impressive awards haul.
Another film that received multiple honours was Sinners, which won Best Original Screenplay for director Ryan Coogler as well as Best Original Score, composed by Ludwig Göransson. The film also secured Best Cinematography, highlighting its strong visual storytelling.
In the animation category, KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature, beating strong contenders including Zootopia 2 and Elio.
The Best International Feature Film award went to Sentimental Value, while Mr Nobody Against Putin claimed the Best Documentary Feature prize.
In the technical categories, the blockbuster Avatar: Fire and Ash won Best Visual Effects, while the racing drama F1 took home the Best Sound award.
Meanwhile, Frankenstein enjoyed success in production categories, winning Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Costume Design.
The ceremony also celebrated short films. The Girl Who Cried Pearls won Best Animated Short, while The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva shared the Best Live Action Short Film award. In the documentary short category, All the Empty Rooms emerged as the winner.
The 2026 Oscars once again highlighted the creativity and diversity within global filmmaking, celebrating both blockbuster productions and independent projects that captured audiences’ attention. With One Battle After Another leading the night and standout performances from Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan, the ceremony delivered a memorable celebration of cinematic excellence.
