One Battle After Another Claims Top Prize at 2026 Oscars

Paul Thomas Anderson’s film ‘One Battle After Another’ was the undisputed victor at the 2026 Oscars, securing a remarkable six awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film, inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s ‘Vineland’, emerged as the frontrunner in a close contest with ‘Sinners,’ which secured four awards including Best Actor for Michael B Jordan. Jordan’s win, alongside original screenplay honours for ‘Sinners’ creator, marks a significant milestone as he becomes the sixth Black actor to win in the Best Actor category, acknowledging the legacy of Black talent in Hollywood. Jessie Buckley achieved a historic first for Ireland, claiming the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet.’

Throughout the evening, Sean Penn added to his Oscar tally, despite his absence from the ceremony, while Amy Madigan secured a record-breaking win for Best Supporting Actress. Joachim Trier’s ‘Sentimental Value’ brought Norway its first ever International Feature Film Oscar, and Mr Nobody Against Putin, a documentary highlighting resistance to oppressive rule in Russia, powerfully captured the audience’s attention. KPop Demon Hunters celebrated Korean cinema with wins for Animated Feature and Original Song, while Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ garnered three awards. Conan O’Brien’s hosting included humourous takes on current events and industry figures, alongside tributes to late acting luminaries like Robert Reiner and Catherine O’Hara.