HOLLYWOOD —On March 15, 2026, the 98th Academy Awards lit up the Dolby Theatre for a night of triumphs, surprises, and cinematic excellence. Hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien for a second consecutive year, and produced by Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan with direction by Hamish Hamilton, the ceremony balanced heartfelt tributes with unexpected victories that kept Hollywood on its toes.
This year, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the evening, walking away with six Oscars:
Best Picture– the night’s top honor
Best Director – Paul Thomas Anderson, his first Oscar win
Best Adapted Screenplay – Anderson, for a loose adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland
Best Supporting Actor – Sean Penn, for his role as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw
Best Casting – Cassandra Kulukundis, the inaugural winner in the category
Best Editing – Andy Jurgensen
“I’m incredibly honored to be part of this history,” Anderson said, visibly moved. “This is the kind of moment you dream about, and to share it with the people who brought this story to life is beyond words.”
While Best Picture is always the centerpiece of Oscar night, this year’s category was particularly competitive, spanning blockbuster spectacles, international art-house films, intimate character studies, and daring literary adaptations. After strong momentum from the Golden Globes and critics’ guild awards, One Battle After Another emerged as the clear standout, a crowning achievement for one of modern cinema’s most respected voices.
Anderson’s satire masterfully blends razor-sharp political commentary with human complexity. The film, produced by the late Adam Somner (p.n.), Sara Murphy, and Anderson himself, features powerhouse performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, and Joaquin Phoenix, anchoring its intense narrative with nuance and depth.
Earlier in the season, the film won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay and claimed multiple critics’ awards, staking its claim as the melancholic favorite of the awards season. Tonight’s Best Picture and Director wins serve as both a career-summation nod and a legacy-defining moment, cementing Anderson’s place among cinema’s elite.
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