Oscars: The big winners, shocking moments and red carpet surprises

Oscars 2026: ‘One Battle After Another’ triumphs as Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley take top acting honors

WEBDESK – MediaBites News – Sources: EW, People, The Sun, WP

The 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) delivered a night of major victories, emotional speeches, and glamorous red-carpet moments, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s political drama One Battle After Another emerging as the biggest winner of the evening. The film secured Best Picture and Best Director, among several awards, cementing its dominance at Hollywood’s biggest night.

The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted by Conan O’Brien, celebrated achievements across the global film industry while also producing several memorable and controversial moments.

Biggest winners of the night

The night belonged to Paul Thomas Anderson, whose film One Battle After Another won Best Picture and Best Director, along with multiple technical awards.

In the acting categories, Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his performance in Sinners, beating strong contenders including Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley captured Best Actress for her role in the historical drama Hamnet, becoming the first Irish actress to win the category.

The best moment of the Oscars

One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when Michael B. Jordan accepted his first Oscar, thanking director Ryan Coogler and honoring earlier Black Oscar winners in his emotional speech. The crowd responded with a standing ovation.

Another touching highlight was Amy Madigan’s emotional speech after winning Best Supporting Actress for Weapons, in which she thanked her husband, Ed Harris, and reflected on her decades-long career in Hollywood.

The worst moment of the night

The ceremony also had its awkward moments. Host Conan O’Brien’s satirical jokes about some nominated films, particularly the horror film Weapons, drew mixed reactions from the audience and sparked debate on social media.

Another talking point was Sean Penn winning Best Supporting Actor while absent from the ceremony, which left presenters and viewers momentarily confused during the announcement.

Red carpet: best and worst dressed

The Oscars red carpet delivered its usual spectacle of glamour and bold fashion choices.

Best dressed

Teyana Taylor stunned in a dramatic feathered Chanel gown.
Jessie Buckley turned heads in a vibrant satin ensemble.
Nicole Kidman in a classic champagne-toned look.

Worst dressed
Some critics on social media described a few outfits as overly experimental, including flashy glitter gowns and themed costumes that divided fashion commentators, though opinions remained mixed.

Full winners list – Oscars 2026

Best Picture – One Battle After Another
Best Director – Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
Best Actor – Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
Best Actress – Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
Best Supporting Actor – Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
Best Supporting Actress – Amy Madigan (Weapons)
Best Original Screenplay – Ryan Coogler (Sinners)
Best Adapted Screenplay – One Battle After Another
Best Cinematography – Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Sinners)
Best Original Score – Ludwig Göransson (Sinners)
Best Animated Feature – KPop Demon Hunters
Best Original Song – KPop Demon Hunters
Best International Feature Film – Sentimental Value (Norway)
Best Documentary Feature – Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Best Visual Effects – Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Sound – F1
Best Production Design / Costume / Makeup – Frankenstein (multiple wins)

Overall, Oscars 2026 blended historic wins, emotional speeches, and glamorous red-carpet moments, with One Battle After Another emerging as the defining film of the night and Michael B. Jordan delivering one of the most celebrated victories of the ceremony.