Well, they did it again. Just when we thought awards season couldn’t get any more unpredictable—when we assumed we could all safely bet the house on Paul Thomas Anderson and call it a night—the 98th Academy Awards looked at the script and said, “Let’s make this weird.”
The 2026 Oscars, held Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted for the second consecutive year by the eternally gangly Conan O’Brien, delivered everything we could have wanted and approximately 47 things we never saw coming . There were historic firsts, emotional gut-punches, a tie that confused everyone, and at least one moment where a K-pop group got played off mid-speech while the internet collectively lost its mind .
Let’s dive into the chaos.
The Big Winner: “One Battle After Another” Fought and Conquered
Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling political thriller “One Battle After Another“ entered the night as the frontrunner and left as the undisputed champion, taking home six Oscars including the night’s biggest prize, Best Picture . The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a washed-up revolutionary, also earned Anderson his long-overdue first competitive Oscars for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay .
“Let’s have a martini; this is pretty amazing,” Anderson said, closing out the night with the kind of low-key charm that makes you forget he’s now officially an Oscar-winning director .
Sean Penn added to the film’s haul with Best Supporting Actor, becoming the fourth man in Academy history to win three acting Oscars, joining the exclusive club of Jack Nicholson, Walter Brennan, and Daniel Day-Lewis . Penn wasn’t there to accept it—because of course he wasn’t—leaving presenter Kieran Culkin to deadpan, “Sean Penn couldn’t be here this evening, or didn’t want to, so I’ll be accepting the award on his behalf” .
The Vampire That Wouldn’t Be Denied: “Sinners” Stakes Its Claim
If “One Battle” was the expected victor, “Sinners“ was the glorious spoiler. Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror film, which made history by entering the night with a record-setting 16 nominations, walked away with four wins—including some of the most significant awards of the evening .
Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor for his dual performance as twin brothers, beating out a stacked field that included Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio . The moment was particularly sweet for Jordan, who went from “All My Children” to “The Wire” to Oscar winner. In his speech, he thanked the Black actors who paved the way—Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry, and Will Smith—and gave a special shout-out to director Ryan Coogler for “betting on original ideas and original artistry” .
Coogler himself won Best Original Screenplay, his first Oscar, proving that sometimes the house doesn’t always win .
But the night’s most historic moment belonged to cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first woman (and first Black person) ever to win Best Cinematography . She’s only the second female nominee in the category’s history, and she used her speech to shout out the first: Rachel Morrison (“Mudbound”) and Spike Lee’s frequent collaborator Ellen Kuras .
The Acting Awards: First-Timers and Favorites
Jessie Buckley, long deemed the frontrunner for her devastating performance in “Hamnet,” finally got her moment, winning Best Actress and delivering what might be the line of the night: dedicating her win to “the wonderful chaos of a mother’s heart” . It was Mother’s Day in the UK, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect .
Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for her terrifying turn as Aunt Gladys in the horror film “Weapons” . The 75-year-old veteran, who had already won at the BAFTAs and the Actor Awards, gave a speech that was equal parts gratitude and pure, unadulterated joy .
The K-Pop Invasion: “KPop Demon Hunters” Makes History
Netflix’s animated phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters” didn’t just win—it made history. The film took home Best Animated Feature, with co-director Maggie Kang delivering an emotional message: “This is for Korea, and for Koreans everywhere,” acknowledging how long it had taken for animated movies to feature people who look like her . Co-director Chris Applehans added, “Tell your story, sing in your voice. I promise you the world is waiting” .
But the real drama came when the film’s earworm song “Golden” won Best Original Song—the first K-pop song ever to receive the honor . Singer EJAE, in tears, shared: “Growing up, people made fun of me for liking KPop, but now everyone is singing our song and all the Korean lyrics and I’m so proud” .
Then things got awkward. As her co-writers tried to speak, the play-off music started. And then it got louder. And then the lights dimmed. And then they cut to commercial .
Social media erupted. “Alright f*** the Oscars for cutting off Best Original Song for Golden KPop Demon Hunters. Absolute disrespect and disgraceful,” one fan fumed . Inside the auditorium, the audience looked upset. The mic was completely dead. The moment was ruined. But the history? That’s forever.
The Tie That Shocked Everyone
In a moment that hasn’t happened in 14 years, the Academy announced a tie in the Best Live Action Short category . Presenter Kumail Nanjiani looked genuinely stunned: “And the Oscar goes to—it’s a tie! I’m not joking, it’s actually a tie. Everyone, calm down, we’re going to get through this” .
“The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva” both won, marking only the seventh tie in Oscar history . Nanjiani quipped that it was “ironic that the short film Oscar is going to take twice as long” to present . The directors of both films handled it with grace, with the “Two People” team saying they were “so happy to be sharing this Oscar with The Singers” .
The Tributes: Tears, Songs, and Memories
The “in memoriam” segment hit differently this year. It opened with a moment dedicated to the late Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, who died tragically in December. Billy Crystal, Reiner’s “When Harry Met Sally” star, called their loss “immeasurable” and closed with a heartbreaking, “Buddy, what fun we had storming the castle” .
Rachel McAdams spoke about the late Diane Keaton, her “The Family Stone” co-star, tearfully recounting Keaton’s habit of reciting “Make new friends, but keep the old” on set .
Then came Barbra Streisand. The EGOT winner, 83, took the stage to honor her “The Way We Were” co-star Robert Redford, who died in September 2025 at 89 . She called him an “intellectual cowboy,” revealed his fond nickname for her (“Babs”), and then—without warning—launched into a rendition of “The Way We Were” that had the room in tears . Some critics noted her voice wasn’t what it used to be, but honestly? She’s Barbra Streisand. She can sing the phone book and we’ll clap.
The Roast of Timothée Chalamet
Conan O’Brien wasted exactly zero time going after the internet’s favorite punching bag. In his opening monologue, he referenced Timothée Chalamet’s recent controversial comments about opera and ballet being irrelevant .
“Security is extremely tight tonight. I’m just going to mention that,” Conan said. “I’m told there’s a concern about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities” .
The camera cut to Chalamet, seated beside girlfriend Kylie Jenner, smiling nervously.
“They’re just mad you left out jazz,” Conan added .
Later in the night, Conan tried to make amends, telling the crowd he and Chalamet were “vibing.” “We’re vibing, right?” he asked. Chalamet’s reply wasn’t picked up by the mic. “He doesn’t think so,” Conan concluded .
And just to add insult to injury? Chalamet lost Best Actor to Michael B. Jordan . He looked visibly disappointed but offered polite applause. Somewhere, every opera singer in America raised a glass.
The New Leo Meme Is Born
Conan declared Leonardo DiCaprio the “king of memes” and then forced him to create a new one in real time . The camera cut to DiCaprio looking awkward as Conan narrated: “That feeling when you didn’t agree to this.”
DiCaprio, ever the professional, turned to the camera, offered a playful smirk and a shrug, and a new meme was born .
Later, during a “Bridesmaids” reunion skit, Rose Byrne read a faux note from DiCaprio about being uncomfortable with her staring. Leo responded with raised eyebrows and a double-pistol finger salute. It will be a meme. Guaranteed .
The Fashion: White Gowns and Snatched Waists
The red carpet, designed to look like a calm Zen garden with trees lining the walkway, saw stars arrive in force . Priyanka Chopra Jonas and husband Nick Jonas turned heads, Priyanka in a custom Dior white gown with diaphanous volume and a “perfectly snatched waist,” Nick in a black velvet tuxedo . Emma Stone shimmered in a striking silver dress with a short bob that screamed old Hollywood .
The Political Moments: Free Palestine and No to War
Javier Bardem and Priyanka Chopra Jonas took the stage to present Best International Feature Film, and Bardem didn’t waste the platform. He opened with a powerful declaration: “No to war and free Palestine” . The audience applauded loudly. Priyanka nodded and smiled, then reflected on cinema’s power to transcend borders .
Norway’s “Sentimental Value” won the award, with director Joachim Trier quoting James Baldwin in his speech .
The Bridesmaids Reunion We Didn’t Know We Needed
The cast of the beloved 2011 comedy “Bridesmaids” reunited on stage to present Best Original Score and Best Sound . Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Ellie Kemper—minus Wendi McLendon-Covey, who director Paul Feig said was simply “not available”—delivered the kind of chaotic energy that made us all want a sequel . Paul Thomas Anderson, newly minted Oscar winner, gave them a standing ovation from his seat .
The Full Winners List (For Your Office Pool Bragging Rights)
Best Picture
“One Battle After Another” – WINNER
“Bugonia”
“F1”
“Frankenstein”
“Hamnet”
“Marty Supreme”
“The Secret Agent”
“Sentimental Value”
“Sinners”
“Train Dreams”
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another” – WINNER
Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners” – WINNER
Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”
Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon”
Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”
Best Actress
Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet” – WINNER
Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue”
Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”
Emma Stone, “Bugonia”
Best Supporting Actor
Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another” – WINNER
Benicio del Toro, “One Battle After Another”
Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”
Delroy Lindo, “Sinners”
Stellan Skarsgård, “Sentimental Value”
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Madigan, “Weapons” – WINNER
Elle Fanning, “Sentimental Value”
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value”
Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners”
Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”
Best Original Screenplay
“Sinners” – Ryan Coogler – WINNER
“Blue Moon” – Robert Kaplow
“It Was Just an Accident” – Jafar Panahi
“Marty Supreme” – Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie
“Sentimental Value” – Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier
Best Adapted Screenplay
“One Battle After Another” – Paul Thomas Anderson – WINNER
“Bugonia” – Will Tracy
“Frankenstein” – Guillermo del Toro
“Hamnet” – Chloé Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell
“Train Dreams” – Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar
Best Animated Feature
“KPop Demon Hunters” – WINNER
“Arco”
“Elio”
“Little Amélie or the Character of Rain”
“Zootopia 2”
Best International Feature
“Sentimental Value” (Norway) – WINNER
“The Secret Agent” (Brazil)
“It Was Just an Accident” (France)
“Sirât” (Spain)
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia)
Best Documentary Feature
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” – WINNER
“The Alabama Solution”
“Come See Me in the Good Light”
“Cutting Through Rocks”
“The Perfect Neighbor”
Best Original Song
“Golden” – “KPop Demon Hunters” – WINNER
“Dear Me” – “Diane Warren: Relentless”
“I Lied to You” – “Sinners”
“Sweet Dreams of Joy” – “Viva Verdi!”
“Train Dreams” – “Train Dreams”
Best Original Score
“Sinners” – Ludwig Goransson – WINNER
“Bugonia” – Jerskin Fendrix
“Frankenstein” – Alexandre Desplat
“Hamnet” – Max Richter
“One Battle After Another” – Jonny Greenwood
Best Cinematography
“Sinners” – Autumn Durald Arkapaw – WINNER
“Frankenstein” – Dan Laustsen
“Marty Supreme” – Darius Khondji
“One Battle After Another” – Michael Bauman
“Train Dreams” – Adolpho Veloso
Best Film Editing
“One Battle After Another” – Andy Jurgensen – WINNER
“F1” – Stephen Mirrione
“Marty Supreme” – Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie
“Sentimental Value” – Olivier Bugge Coutté
“Sinners” – Michael P. Shawver
Best Sound
“F1” – WINNER
“Frankenstein”
“One Battle After Another”
“Sinners”
“Sirât”
Best Visual Effects
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” – WINNER
“F1”
“Jurassic World Rebirth”
“The Lost Bus”
“Sinners”
Best Production Design
“Frankenstein” – Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau – WINNER
“Hamnet” – Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton
“Marty Supreme” – Jack Fisk and Adam Willis
“One Battle After Another” – Florencia Martin and Anthony Carlino
“Sinners” – Hannah Beachler and Monique Champagne
Best Costume Design
“Frankenstein” – Kate Hawley – WINNER
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” – Deborah L. Scott
“Hamnet” – Malgosia Turzanska
“Marty Supreme” – Miyako Bellizz
“Sinners” – Ruth E. Carter
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
“Frankenstein” – Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey – WINNER
“Kokuho” – Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino and Tadashi Nishimatsu
“Sinners” – Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine and Shunika Terry
“The Smashing Machine” – Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin and Bjoern Rehbein
“The Ugly Stepsister” – Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg
Best Casting
“One Battle After Another” – Cassandra Kulukundis – WINNER
“Hamnet” – Nina Gold
“Marty Supreme” – Jennifer Venditti
“The Secret Agent” – Gabriel Domingues
“Sinners” – Francine Maisler
Best Animated Short
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” – WINNER
“Butterfly”
“Forevergreen”
“Retirement Plan”
“The Three Sisters”
Best Live Action Short (TIE)
“The Singers” – WINNER
“Two People Exchanging Saliva” – WINNER
“Butcher’s Stain”
“A Friend of Dorothy”
“Jane Austen’s Period Drama”
Best Documentary Short
“All the Empty Rooms” – WINNER
“Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud”
“Children No More: Were and Are Gone”
“The Devil Is Busy”
“Perfectly a Strangeness”
The Final Word
The 2026 Oscars ran 221 minutes, which is roughly the length of a Christopher Nolan film and feels about the same . But unlike some of those films, this one had a heart.
It had history: Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman to win Best Cinematography. It had drama: K-pop stars getting played off mid-speech. It had humor: Conan O’Brien roasting Timothée Chalamet into next week. And it had heart: Barbra Streisand singing for her lost friend, Billy Crystal remembering his, and a room full of egos actually, genuinely, feeling something.
Paul Thomas Anderson finally got his Oscar. Michael B. Jordan got his moment. And somewhere in Seoul, a group of K-pop writers are probably still trying to figure out what happened.
The 98th Academy Awards are in the books. See you next year.
by JONATHAN JONES