We may have reached the end of award season, but the finale was one to be remembered. The 2026 Oscar Academy Awards were hosted on Sunday, March 15, 2026 by Conan O’Brien in Hollywood. Known as one of Hollywood’s biggest nights, this year’s ceremony kept the theme of breaking records and honoring the best of the best in entertainment alive.
Movies that have dominated our social media feeds, our screens, and our time took home some of the biggest awards within the ceremony, setting records as they did so. One Battle After Another was nominated in thirteen different categories and won six of these awards, the highest number of trophies taken home that night. These wins included Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), Best Adapted Screenplay (Paul Thomas Anderson), Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Best Film Editing (Andy Jurgensen), and Best Casting (Cassandra Kulukundis). It did not stop there, as the film went on to take home the most memorable prize of the night–Best Picture. While the film has sparked controversy since its release regarding its portrayal of political violence, the ceremony expressed its appreciation of the screenplay and overall filmmaking behind the production.
Sunday was also a major night for the film Sinners, which came in second place for highest number of trophies taken home with its four wins. The culturally-impacting film went into the show with sixteen nominations, the most in Oscars history. Winner was marked next to Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan, his first Oscar win ever), Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), and Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson). Their fourth win of the evening not only recognized a trailblazer in the industry, but broke an Oscars record–Autumn Durald Arkapaw taking home Best Cinematography. She marked history as the first female to win the category, and was only the fourth woman to ever be nominated for the award. In her acceptance speech, she praised women all over and took special recognition for those working in the industry as well.
Though these two films dominated our watching parties, there are several other films and actors to be celebrated post-Oscars. Jessie Buckley finished her takeover of award season by winning Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work on Hamnet. No surprises here, only pure celebration for another award to put next to her Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award, Actor Award, and BAFTA–all won this season. K-Pop Demon Hunters had much to celebrate after the ceremony concluded, with their wins for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Their win in Best Original Song broke history by being the first K-Pop song to ever take the category home. Netflix’s film Frankenstein also had reasons to pop the champagne with their wins for Best Costume Design (Kate Hawley), Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey), and Best Production Design (Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau).
Awards and accolades are not all that is included at the Oscars. The ceremony also takes time to remember those who came before them in the industry, and those who left the world too soon. This year’s In Memoriam segment of the Oscars contained three major honors to industry legends who have been lost in the last year. Barbra Streisand honored Robert Redford, who passed on September 15, 2025, whom she worked with on their film The Way We Were. Billy Crystal led a tribute, alongside other former costars, for Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner, who both passed on December 14, 2025. Rachel McAdams honored Diane Keaton, who passed on October 11, 2025, and Catherine O’Hara, who passed on January 30, 2026, with a meaningful, emotional tribute. Throughout the ceremony, many stars took a moment to remember many other industry leaders who have passed on, ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire.
It will be another few months before our favorite movie stars, directors, producers, and everyone in between are back strutting the red carpet and moving us to tears with their speeches and memories. The world of cinema and film will be entirely different next awards season, but the films that have taken home the glory at this year’s Oscars will forever be remembered.
