The film “One Battle After Another” emerged victorious at this year’s Academy Awards, securing the coveted best picture Oscar along with five additional awards. Initially, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” led the way with a groundbreaking 16 nominations and triumph in four categories.
Michael B. Jordan, the star of “Sinners,” clinched the best actor accolade, marking his debut win on his inaugural nomination and receiving a rousing standing ovation. Jessie Buckley’s portrayal as William Shakespeare’s wife in “Hamnet” earned her the best actress award after a triumphant run in the 2026 award circuit, where she secured a Golden Globe, Critics Choice, Actor, and BAFTA Film awards.
Amy Madigan secured the best supporting actress award for her role in the movie “Weapons,” while the best supporting actor honor went to Sean Penn for his performance in “One Battle After Another,” marking his third Academy Award win.
Canadian talents also shone brightly at the ceremony. Toronto director Maggie Kang accepted the best animated feature Oscar for “KPop Demon Hunters,” while Domee Shi, another Canadian, co-directed the film “Elio.” Additionally, Canadian production designers Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” claimed their own Oscar statuettes, with Canadians Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey sharing the makeup and hairstyling win for the same movie.
Montreal filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski triumphed in the best animated short film category with “The Girl Who Cried Pearls.” Furthermore, “One Battle After Another” not only secured wins for best picture and best supporting actor but also earned Paul Thomas Anderson his debut wins for best adapted screenplay and directing. The film also snagged awards for editing and casting, the latter being the first new Academy Award category in 24 years.
“Sinners” took home four awards, including Ryan Coogler’s victory for best original screenplay and Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s win for best cinematography, making her the first racialized woman to clinch the award. “Frankenstein,” filmed in Toronto, also garnered three awards.
The winners at the 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, included the following:
– Best Picture: “One Battle After Another”
– Best Directing: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
– Best Actress in a Leading Role: Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
– Best Actor in a Leading Role: Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
– Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
– Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”
– Best Casting: Cassandra Kulukundis, “One Battle After Another”
– Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
– Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
– International Feature Film: “Sentimental Value” (Norway)
– Animated Feature Film: “KPop Demon Hunters”
– Animated Short Film: “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”
– Documentary Feature Film: “Mr. Nobody Against Putin”
– Documentary Short Film: “All the Empty Rooms”
– Live Action Short Film: “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva” (tie)
– Best Original Song: “Golden,” “KPop Demon Hunters”
– Best Original Score: Ludwig Goransson, “Sinners”
– Best Film Editing: Andy Jurgensen, “One Battle After Another”
– Best Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, “Sinners”
– Best Production Design: Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau, “Frankenstein”
– Best Costume Design: Kate Hawley, “Frankenstein”
– Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey, “Frankenstein”
– Best Sound: Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, and Juan Peralta, “F1”
– Best Visual Effects: Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett, “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
The Canadian talents’ success at the event showcased their exceptional contributions to the film industry.