THE MARQUEE
The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15, 2026, and it was a historic night for filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. His acclaimed film, One Battle After Another, swept the ceremony's major categories, securing the titles for both Best Picture and Best Director. The production also made history by winning the inaugural Academy Award for Best Casting, a new category introduced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year.
In the acting categories, Michael B. Jordan claimed the Best Actor trophy for his lead performance in the supernatural thriller Sinners. The Best Actress honor went to Jessie Buckley for her role in Hamnet, an adaptation of the celebrated novel. Both wins marked first-time Oscar victories for the two stars, who were met with standing ovations during the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.
Comedy veteran Conan O’Brien hosted the evening, bringing his signature humor to the stage as the industry celebrated a diverse range of cinematic achievements. Beyond the top prizes, the sweep by One Battle After Another solidified Anderson's film as the definitive critical darling of the 2025-2026 awards season. The ceremony aired globally via ABC and reached audiences across multiple digital platforms.
