Complete Coverage of the 98th Academy Awards Winners and Highlights

The 98th Academy Awards concluded with several surprises and historic wins, making the 2026 Oscars one of the most unpredictable ceremonies in recent years. Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ led the nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods, surpassing previous films like ‘Titanic’ and ‘La La Land’, while Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ followed closely with 13 nominations, dominating the critics’ and guilds’ awards. ‘One Battle After Another’ has been a frontrunner due to victories at the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and the Directors Guild of America Awards, suggesting a strong chance in the Best Picture and Best Director categories. Meanwhile, ‘Sinners’ gained momentum across acting and technical categories, indicating potential for a sweeping night. Other notable films included Chloe Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’, expected to bring home at least one award for Jessie Buckley in Best Actress, and ‘The Secret Agent’ and ‘Sentimental Value’, reflecting the Academy’s diverse international and genre-oriented voting. Big wins included Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans, and Michelle L.M. Wong for Best Animated Feature for ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’, and Amy Madigan for Best Supporting Actress in ‘Weapons’. Indian viewers could follow the event live on Star Movies and JioHotstar. Overall, the Oscars celebrated both record-breaking achievements and strong performances across global cinema, with many categories remaining highly competitive until the last envelope was opened.