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A Night of Firsts and Favorites: The Unmissable Moments From The 2026 Oscars
The 98th Academy Awards, held on March 15, 2026, felt like a return to Hollywood’s golden age of drama, spiked with a modern, high-energy pulse. From historic milestones for women in technical fields to a dominant night for Paul Thomas Anderson, the ceremony was anything but predictable.
Here are the unmissable moments that defined the 2026 Oscars.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Long-Awaited Sweep
After decades of being the “Academy’s bridesmaid,” Paul Thomas Anderson finally had his night. His political thriller, One Battle After Another, took home six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. The victory lap was made even more special when Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor reunited on stage—channeling their Moulin Rouge!chemistry—to present him with the night’s biggest honor.
Michael B. Jordan’s Twin Victory
In one of the most competitive Best Actor races in recent memory, Michael B. Jordan triumphed for his dual performance in Ryan Coogler’s horror-epic Sinners. Jordan, who played a pair of twins with wildly different temperaments, received a standing ovation that lasted nearly a full minute. In a moving speech, he thanked his father, who flew in from Ghana for the ceremony, and dedicated the win to the legendary Black actors who paved the way.
Michael B. Jordan receives thunderous applause as he wins the #Oscar for Best Actor. pic.twitter.com/jlHKTZjkdx
— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 16, 2026
A Barrier Broken: Best Cinematography
History was made when Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman ever to win Best Cinematography for her haunting work on Sinners.
“I don’t get here without you guys,” Arkapaw said, asking every woman in the room to stand up in a powerful show of solidarity that became the viral image of the night.
Conan O’Brien’s “Aunt Gladys” Opening
Returning for his second consecutive year as host, Conan O’Brien leaned into his signature absurdist humor. He opened the show with a pre-taped segment where he transformed into “Aunt Gladys” (a nod to Amy Madigan’s winning role in Weapons). The bit ended with Conan being chased onto the Dolby Theatre stage by a group of children, a chaotic energy that set the tone for the evening.
K-Pop Takes the Dolby Stage
The Best Original Song category brought a level of electricity rarely seen at the Oscars. The cast and songwriters of the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters performed the anthem “Golden” to a crowd waving K-pop light sticks. While the songwriters were hilariously (and awkwardly) cut off by the orchestra during their acceptance speech, their win marked the first time a K-pop track has ever secured an Academy Award.
HUNTR/X performing “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/S4CMuMdtJ4
— EJAE Updates (@EjaeUpdates) March 16, 2026
Major Winners at a Glance
| Category | Winner | Film |
| Best Picture | Paul Thomas Anderson, Sara Murphy | One Battle After Another |
| Best Actress | Jessie Buckley | Hamnet |
| Best Actor | Michael B. Jordan | Sinners |
| Best Supporting Actress | Amy Madigan | Weapons |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sean Penn | One Battle After Another |
| Best Animated Feature | Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans | KPop Demon Hunters |
