The 2026 Oscars gala took place at the renowned Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Conan O’Brien. The event opened with a humorous video featuring O’Brien dressed as Aunt Gladys from the film “The Disappearances.” He humorously fled from children through various nominated films’ scenes before making his entrance on stage.
This year’s ceremony highlighted the political context with references to recent FBI warnings about a potential attack from Iran. Consequently, heightened security measures were enforced at the event. O’Brien quipped about the situation, allegorizing a cultural commentary sparked by Timothée Chalamet’s earlier remarks regarding the arts.
Major Winners of the Oscars 2026 Gala
Notable wins included:
- Amy Madigan won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, delighting the audience as she accepted her award.
- Polish director Maćko Szczerbowski received the Award for Best Animated Short Film for “The Girl Who Cried Pearls.”
- For the first time in history, the Academy introduced an award for Best Casting, which was awarded to Cassandra Kulukundis for “One Battle After Another.”
- Sean Penn was awarded Best Supporting Actor but was absent from the gala. Kieran Culkin humorously remarked on his absence.
- Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his performance in “The Sinners,” surprising many who expected Timothée Chalamet to win for “The Great Marty.”
- Jessie Buckley secured the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in “Hamnet.”
The film “The Sinners” led the nominations with a record 16, securing awards for Best Original Screenplay, Best Score, Best Actor, and Best Cinematography. Autumn Cheyenne Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman to win an Oscar for Cinematography, receiving a standing ovation for her accomplishments.
The standout film this year was “One Battle After Another,” which won six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. This marked Anderson’s first win after four nominations for directing. In contrast, “The Great Marty” was the biggest loser of the night, failing to secure any awards despite nine nominations.
Heartfelt Tributes and Unique Features
The ceremony also featured a poignant tribute section honoring Hollywood creators who passed away over the past year. A special acknowledgment was made for Robert Reiner and his wife Michele, who tragically lost their lives in December 2025. Rachel McAdams paid tribute to Catherine O’Hara and Diane Keaton, while Barbara Streisand performed a song honoring Robert Redford.
Documentary and International Awards
The award for Best Documentary went to “Mr. Nobody vs. Putin,” showcasing the story of Russian teacher Pavel Talankin and his courageous acts in documenting his school amidst propaganda. He delivered an anti-war message in Russian during his acceptance speech.
“Sentimental Value” won the award for Best International Film, being nominated in multiple categories this year.
Noteworthy Moments and Nominations
Despite numerous nominations, Diane Warren faced another loss, marking her 17th nomination without a win for Best Original Song. The winning song was “Golden” from “K-pop Demon Hunters.” Additionally, Polish involvement was notable as Małgosia Turzańska was nominated for Best Costume Design for “Hamnet.”
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Picture | One Battle After Another |
| Best Director | Paul Thomas Anderson |
| Best Actress | Jessie Buckley |
| Best Actor | Michael B. Jordan |
| Best Supporting Actress | Amy Madigan |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sean Penn |
The excitement and surprises of the 2026 Oscars gala showcased a blend of talent, emotion, and significant moments in history, cementing it as a remarkable event in the world of cinema.
