Table of Contents
The 98th Academy Awards crowned a handful of films that dominated both headline categories and the technical races. The evening was led by Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which emerged as the most awarded title of the night with six trophies, including the top prize for Best Picture. Close behind, Sinners claimed several major wins, and individual performers from across the slate were recognized for their work in acting, directing and writing. The ceremony balanced big-name victories with acknowledgements for craft teams whose work shaped many of the year’s most talked-about films.
Beyond the marquee awards, the night also highlighted achievements in animation, international cinema and documentary storytelling. The South Korean musical KPop Demon Hunters and the period drama Hamnet were among the titles that found success, while genre and effects-heavy pictures like Avatar: Fire and Ash and Frankenstein won praise in technical categories. Throughout, voters rewarded both auteur-driven films and large-scale, collaborative productions, underscoring the Academy’s mix of tastes across performance and craft.
Major wins and the night’s headline awards
Best picture, directing and lead performances
The top honours belonged to One Battle After Another, which took home Best Picture and saw Paul Thomas Anderson win Best Director. Paul Thomas Anderson also secured Best Adapted Screenplay for the same film. In acting categories, Michael B Jordan earned Best Actor for his work in Sinners, while Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her turn in Hamnet. Supporting acting awards went to Sean Penn (Best Supporting Actor) for One Battle After Another and Amy Madigan (Best Supporting Actress) for Weapons. These victories combined creative direction with standout lead and supporting turns to define the ceremony’s central narrative.
Writing, score and animated honours
Original writing recognition landed with Ryan Coogler, who won Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, while One Battle After Another picked up the adapted writing award. Music was a major element for both films: Ludwig Göransson won Best Original Score for Sinners, and KPop Demon Hunters secured Best Animated Film along with the Best Original Song, “Golden,” credited to EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Teddy Park. The animated feature’s soundtrack and visual style translated into tangible awards and strong audience resonance.
Craft categories and technical achievements
Production design, costumes and makeup
Period and genre films performed strongly in the craft races. Frankenstein earned accolades for Best Production Design (Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau), Best Costume Design (Kate Hawley) and Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey), reflecting the film’s elaborate worldbuilding. Editing recognition went to Andy Jurgensen for One Battle After Another, which was also awarded for Best Casting (Cassandra Kulukundis). These wins underline the impact of visual and preparatory departments on the final cinematic experience.
Sound, cinematography and visual effects
Technical honours spanned a wide range of films: the sound team of Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A Rizzo and Juan Peralta won Best Sound for F1, while Autumn Durald Arkapaw took Best Cinematography for Sinners. Avatar: Fire and Ash received Best Visual Effects, awarded to Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett. These categories emphasized both large-scale technical achievement and the subtle craft that supports storytelling, from lens choices to immersive effects and precise sound mixing.
Documentaries, shorts and international cinema
Documentary awards highlighted pressing themes and personal stories: Mr Nobody Against Putin won Best Documentary Feature, and All the Empty Rooms took Best Documentary Short. The live-action short category produced a rare outcome with a tie: The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva shared Best Live Action Short Film. On the world cinema front, Sentimental Value won Best International Feature, confirming strong international presence and acclaim among voters.
Completing the night’s list, The Girl Who Cried Pearls earned Best Animated Short Film, and the awards ceremony reinforced how craft, performance and distinct storytelling all found recognition. The results painted a portrait of an industry that honored both intimate, character-driven work and large-scale technical productions.
What the results suggest about industry trends
Overall, the distribution of awards showed a balance between auteur cinema and blockbuster-level craftsmanship. Films like One Battle After Another and Sinners anchored the evening with multiple top-tier wins, while titles such as KPop Demon Hunters, Frankenstein and Avatar: Fire and Ash demonstrated how technical excellence and audience reach continue to matter. The ceremony honored a wide array of contributors—from writers and directors to sound mixers and costume designers—underscoring that awards season rewards the many hands that bring films to life. Observers will debate implications for future seasons, but the night offered clear recognition for an eclectic group of cinematic achievements.