98th Academy Awards: 'One Fight After Another' Dominates as 'Sinners' Sets New Nomination Record

The 98th annual Academy Awards took place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. For the second year in a row, comedian Conan O'Brien served as the master of ceremonies, leading an evening that was defined by several historic victories and the shattering of long-standing industry records. The ceremony celebrated the pinnacle of cinematic achievement while introducing new milestones in the Academy's storied history.

The night’s biggest winner was Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller, "One Fight After Another," which took home six statuettes from its thirteen nominations. The film secured the most prestigious honors of the evening, including Best Picture and Best Director. Anderson also earned the award for Best Adapted Screenplay, sharing the honor with his co-producer, marking his first wins in both the directing and screenwriting categories. The film, which offers a sharp and darkly humorous critique of modern America, also saw Sean Penn win Best Supporting Actor for his role as a corrupt military official, marking his third career Oscar. Additionally, the production was recognized in the newly established Best Casting category.

Ryan Coogler’s vampire-themed epic, "Sinners" (originally titled "Blood and Sinners"), made history before the ceremony even began by securing a record-breaking 16 nominations. This total surpassed the previous record of 14 nominations held by "All About Eve," "Titanic," and "La La Land." Ultimately, "Sinners" walked away with four awards. Among its victories were Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, Best Original Screenplay for Coogler, as well as Best Original Score and Best Cinematography.

Michael B. Jordan’s win was a landmark moment, as he became only the sixth Black performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. History was also made by Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first woman ever to receive the Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on "Sinners." In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley was honored for her performance in Chloe Zhao’s drama "Hamnet," making her the first Irish actress to win in that specific category.

Another record was set by 75-year-old Amy Madigan, who won the Oscar for the film "Weapon: Hour of Reckoning." Her victory established the longest gap between a first nomination and a first win in Oscar history, coming 40 years after her initial nomination in 1986. In the documentary category, "Mr. Nobody vs. Putin" took home the prize for Best Documentary Feature, with its co-directors using their acceptance speeches to highlight urgent global political matters.

In the category of Best International Feature Film, the Norwegian production "Sentimental Value," directed by Joachim Trier, emerged victorious, marking the first time Norway has won in this category. Netflix’s "K-Pop Demon Hunters" also had a successful night, winning both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. A rare event occurred in the Best Live Action Short Film category, which resulted in the seventh tie in Academy history, shared by the films "The Singers" and "Two People Swapping Spit." Technical achievements were also highlighted, with Guillermo del Toro’s "Frankenstein" winning three awards for Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design.

The ceremony featured several poignant moments on stage, including a statement from Javier Bardem, who declared, "No to war and freedom for Palestine." During the "In Memoriam" segment, Billy Crystal paid a moving tribute to the late director Rob Reiner, ensuring the evening concluded with a reflection on the industry's enduring legacy and the influential figures who shaped it.