All the 2026 Oscar winners

The 2026 Oscars have wrapped, and Hollywood’s glittering night delivered a slew of surprises and well-deserved nods, with One Battle After Another dominating as the big winner. As the dust settles from the Dolby Theatre bash, Film Daily breaks down all the Oscar winners 2026—from Paul Thomas Anderson’s directing triumph to Michael B. Jordan’s powerhouse best actor win in Sinners. Why does it matter now? In this post-awards haze, these victors reshape industry buzz, fueling the next wave of deals and dreams amid LA’s relentless awards circuit.

Best picture triumphs

Kicking off the Oscar winners 2026 list, “One Battle After Another” snagged best picture, a gritty war epic that had insiders buzzing since its Cannes premiere. Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction sealed the deal, blending raw emotion with battlefield chaos—think “There Will Be Blood” meets modern grit. This win cements Anderson’s status as Hollywood royalty, whispering deals at Sunset Tower parties already.

In acting categories, Michael B. Jordan’s intense turn in “Sinners” earned best actor, channeling inner demons that left audiences floored. Jessie Buckley shone in “Hamnet”, nabbing best actress for her poignant portrayal of Shakespeare’s wife—pure Elizabethan heartache with a contemporary edge. These Oscar winners 2026 highlight rising stars shaking up the old guard, fueling post-show chats at Chateau Marmont.

Supporting nods went to Sean Penn in “One Battle After Another” for best supporting actor, his grizzled veteran role a comeback kid story. Amy Madigan claimed best supporting actress in “Weapons”, delivering quiet fire that stole scenes. As part of the Oscar winners 2026, these picks underscore ensemble power, with publicists now scrambling for sequel buzz amid LA’s awards hangover.

Screenplay standouts

Ryan Coogler took home best original screenplay for Sinners, a taut narrative that twisted crime tropes into fresh, unflinching drama—insiders at Cannes were raving about its raw edge months ago. Paul Thomas Anderson doubled down with best adapted screenplay for One Battle After Another, adapting history with his signature bite. These oscar winners 2026 signal a shift toward bold storytelling, sparking studio bids over brunches at The Ivy.

Technical categories lit up with Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s cinematography win for Sinners, her lens capturing shadowy intensity that elevated every frame. Andy Jurgensen snagged best film editing for One Battle After Another, splicing chaos into coherent fury. As key oscar winners 2026, these honors highlight the unsung heroes behind the glamour, fueling whispers of crew promotions amid LA’s post-Oscars networking frenzy.

Design dazzled as Frankenstein swept production design, costume design, and makeup and hairstyling, with Kate Hawley, Mike Hill, and team transforming gothic visions into vivid reality. Ludwig Göransson’s score for Sinners won best original, layering tension like a pro. Rounding out oscar winners 2026, these craft nods affirm innovative artistry, promising bolder projects as awards chatter turns to pilot season deals.

Musical and effects highs

“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” danced away with best original song, its catchy beats blending pop flair with supernatural vibes that had festival crowds hooked since Sundance. Best sound went to “F1,” revving up immersive audio that put viewers in the driver’s seat. These oscar winners 2026 amp up the sensory game, with composers and tech wizards eyeing bigger gigs at industry mixers like those at Soho House.

Visual effects crowned “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” James Cameron’s latest Pandora plunge delivering jaw-dropping CGI that redefined spectacle—whispers of sequels are already swirling in studio boardrooms. “KPop Demon Hunters” also scored best animated feature, fusing idol culture with demon-slaying antics in vibrant style. As standout oscar winners 2026, they spotlight genre innovation, pushing boundaries that could redefine blockbuster formulas amid LA’s evolving VFX scene.

Global gems shone with Norway’s “Sentimental Value” taking best international feature, a poignant family tale that resonated deeply without subtitles needed for emotion. “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” grabbed best documentary feature, exposing political grit with unflinching lens work. Rounding out oscar winners 2026, these picks celebrate worldwide voices, hinting at diverse slates ahead in awards circuits from Toronto to Telluride.

Short-form standouts

Best documentary short went to “All the Empty Rooms”, a haunting look at abandoned spaces that packs emotional punch in under 20 minutes—insiders at Telluride were calling it a masterclass in concise storytelling. As part of the oscar winners 2026, this nod boosts emerging filmmakers, with LA agents circling for feature expansions amid the festival afterglow.

The live-action short category ended in a rare tie, with “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva” sharing the honor— one a melodic tale of lost voices, the other a raw intimacy study that sparked Cannes debates. These oscar winners 2026 celebrate bold brevity, fueling indie buzz at Sunset Strip screenings and potential studio pickups.

Casting kudos capped the night with Cassandra Kulukundis earning best casting for “One Battle After Another”, her knack for assembling powerhouse ensembles turning heads since pre-production whispers. Among oscar winners 2026, this award underscores behind-the-scenes magic, promising tighter talent networks as awards season pivots to Emmy prep in Hollywood’s inner circles.