2026 Oscars: Winners and Losers at the 98th Academy Awards

 

The Academy Awards once again delivered a night of celebration, surprises, and disappointment as Hollywood gathered at the Dolby Theatre for the 2026 ceremony. While some films and stars left the stage with golden statues, others who were widely expected to win went home empty-handed.

Here is a breakdown of the biggest winners and notable losers from the 2026 Oscars.

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🏆 Biggest Winners

1. One Battle After Another

The film emerged as the biggest winner of the night, claiming Best Picture and several other awards. Director Paul Thomas Anderson also took home Best Director, cementing the movie’s dominance at the ceremony.

2. Michael B. Jordan

Jordan won Best Actor for his performance in Sinners, marking one of the most celebrated acting victories of the night.

3. Jessie Buckley

Buckley delivered a career-defining moment after winning Best Actress for her role in Hamnet.

4. Frankenstein

The visually impressive film dominated the technical categories, winning awards for production design, costume design, and makeup and hairstyling.

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❌ Notable Losers

1. Avatar: Fire and Ash

Despite heavy anticipation, the blockbuster only managed to secure Best Visual Effects, missing out on major categories.

2. Sean Penn

Although nominated for his role in One Battle After Another, Penn failed to secure the Best Actor award.

3. Several highly nominated films

Some movies entered the night with multiple nominations but failed to convert them into wins, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the Oscars.

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⭐ Key Takeaways

• One Battle After Another dominated the night with multiple major wins.

• Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley delivered standout acting victories.

• Several blockbuster films and high-profile nominees fell short in major categories.