Oscars 2026: Big Wins Bigger Impact

Audrey Owens

The 98th Academy Awards were held March 15, 2026, in Hollywood, California. "One Battle After Another," a film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, dominated the ceremony, winning six awards, including best picture, best supporting actor, best director, best screenplay, best film editing and a new category, best casting. This makes "One Battle After Another" the first film in history to receive that honor.

The only movie close to rivaling Anderson’s work was "Sinners," which entered the night with 16 nominations — more than "One Battle After Another," which had 13. Despite having more opportunities to win, "Sinners" secured four awards, including best actor for Michael B. Jordan.

"Sinners," directed by Ryan Coogler, also won best original screenplay, best cinematography and best original score. Even without taking home the top prize, the film’s strong performance made it one of the most influential of the year, with Jordan’s win standing out as one of the night’s most notable moments.

Several others were recognized for their craft, including Jessie Buckley, who won best actress for her role in "Hamnet;" Sean Penn, who won best supporting actor for "One Battle After Another;" and Amy Madigan, who won best supporting actress for "Weapons." Buckley’s win is particularly significant, as she is the first Irish woman to receive the award.

Beyond acting, several films received recognition, most notably "K-Pop Demon Hunters," which won best animated feature and best original song. "One Battle After Another," "Sinners," "Frankenstein" and "Sentimental Value" were widely considered the most influential films of the year, but the nationwide impact of "K-Pop Demon Hunters" is impossible to ignore.

Following its June release, "K-Pop Demon Hunters" has remained in Netflix’s top 10 for more than seven months and continues to rank there. It broke records with more than 15 consecutive weeks in the top 10 and became the most-watched English-language film on the platform. Its cultural impact has been unprecedented, with songs topping Spotify charts, children singing them widely and the characters’ looks becoming iconic. Rumi, the main character, became the most popular Halloween costume of 2025, with her long purple braid taking over the streets in October.

Overall, the 2026 Oscars highlighted a year in which ambitious, boundary-pushing films found the most success. If "K-Pop Demon Hunters" proved anything with its blend of music, culture and fantasy, it’s that genre-bending films willing to take creative risks are what keep the industry fresh.