It was a night full of surprises at the 2026 Academy Awards. From the historic wins in massive categories, to horror movies dominating a once alienating institution, there was no shortage of memorable moments.
The night started off strong, beginning with the acting veteran of 40 years, Amy Madigan, winning the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “Weapons.” This was a first-time win for Madigan, after being nominated for the first time in 1986 for the film “Twice in a Lifetime.” Madigan’s role was brilliantly terrifying and electric, culminating in a much-deserved win.
It was Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” that had a huge night winning six Oscars in total including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film also won the award for Best Casting, a brand-new category introduced at this year’s awards. Cassandra Kulukundis won the inaugural award for her work on the film. Significantly, Kulukundis won the award during Women’s History Month, a month dedicated to highlighting the achievements of women in various industries throughout history. Best Actor in a Supporting Role went to Sean Penn for his role in the film. Penn, however, was noticeably absent from the ceremony leaving presenter Kieran Culkin to accept the award on his behalf, but not before throwing some subtle shade at the actor claiming Penn “didn’t want to attend.”
Other notable wins of the night included Jessie Buckley winning Actress in a
Leading Role for her emotionally brutal performance in “Hamnet.” K-Pop Demon Hunters took home the awards for Best Animated Feature and Original Song, which showcased the winners being played off stage during their speech for the historic win for their original song “Golden,” the first k-pop song to ever win an Oscar.
That wasn’t the last time the producers of the show would cut the mics of award winners simply trying to express their gratitude. It seems the Academy made sure to prioritize its corporate advertisers over the artists fighting to keep the very industry the ceremony is dedicated to acknowledging.
Miles Caton’s performance of “I Lied to You” was phenomenal and brought the film’s iconic juke joint scene to life. Surprise appearances included members of the cast as well as Grammy-winning country artist Shaboozey and retired American ballet dancer Misty Copeland, as well as many others. The performance showcased the cultural significance the music played in making the film so impactful this awards season.
The Live Action Short Film category had two winners, the seventh ever tie, between “The Singers,” a story adapted from a 19th-century story based on an impromptu sing-off by the patrons of a lowly bar, and “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” an absurd tragedy set in a repressive society where kissing is punishable by death. The latter film was produced by a majority of women and is a commentary on queer oppression in society, proving once again that representation in media matters.
This year’s In Memoriam was a powerful reflection of the artist lost in the past year. Director Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner were honored with an extended tribute led by actor Billy Crystal, long-time friend of the couple. They were later joined on stage by many of Reiner’s former collaborators including Meg Ryan, Kathy Bates, and Michael McKean. Actress Rachel McAdams gave an emotional speech dedicated to co-star and acting legend Diana Keaton, remembering her for her love and generosity on and off set. Ending the tribute after an emotional video package was Barbara Streisand, paying her respects to co-star and director Robert Redford who passed away in September at the age of 89. Her love and affection for her former co-star and colleague was evident.
“I called him an intellectual cowboy who blazed his own trail… Bob had real backbone on and off the screen. I miss him now more than ever, even though he loved teasing me,” Streisand stated.
However, the night was undoubtedly owned by the horror category. Of the 18 honors awarded throughout the night, almost half were awarded to one of the three major horror films nominated. “Frankenstein” directed by Guillermo del Toro took home awards for Best Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling and Production Design while for “Weapons” Madigan took home Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal as witchy mastermind Aunt Gladys. Madigan played the spooky role to horrifying perfection with her confidence and intensity, enhanced only by her signature red wig and chilling delivery.
Sinners was the clear crowd favorite of the night. Original Score was awarded to Ludwig Goransson, longtime collaborator of “Sinners” director Ryan Coogler, capping off a highly successfulawards season for him. Continuing the film’s history making night was Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the first woman and black person to win Best Cinematography. Arkapaw is only the fourth woman ever to be nominated for the award. She ended her acceptance speech by asking all the women in the room to rise to their feet, saying she wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for them. Welcomed to the stage with roaring applause was Ryan Coogler as he accepted his win for Best Original Screenplay, joining Jordan Peele who won the award for Get Out, as the only Black filmmakers to have ever won the award, solidifying him as a great generational talent and directing powerhouse. Ending the night with a standing ovation was Michael B. Jordan who won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Speculation of his potential win ramped up last week when fellow nominee, Timothée Chalmet, made headlines for his controversial remarks regardinglow attendance of the opera and ballet industries. Online prediction markets began favoring the “Sinners” lead after backlash regarding the remarks began to circulate in the media. In his speech, he made sure to honor the small class of Black actors who achieved the honor in a leading role category such as actors Jamie Foxx, Will Smith and Forrest Whitaker, as well as Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington.
In the end, the 2026 Oscars proved that the Academy is still capable of evolving, but not without a few awkward missteps along the way. Historic wins, long-overdue recognition, and the dominance of horror films signal a shift towards a more inclusive vision of cinema. Although moments like rushed speeches and absent winners highlight the ceremony’s ongoing tension between artistry and spectacle; the night ultimately was a celebration of the power of storytelling and the voices reshaping the industry today.
