The 98th Academy Awards unfolded on 15 March 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, delivering a mix of triumphs, surprises, and poignant messages. "One Battle After Another" emerged as the top winner, securing Best Picture and five other awards, while "Sinners" also celebrated major victories amid a competitive field. Host Conan O'Brien kept the energy high with timely humor, as performers and winners captivated the global audience.

This year's ceremony blended entertainment with reflection, highlighting Hollywood's evolving landscape. Viewers witnessed historic firsts, emotional farewells, and calls for change, making the Oscars 2026 highlights a topic of widespread discussion.

Musical Performances Shine Bright

Actors and musicians brought film scenes to life on stage during the Oscars 2026 highlights. Miles Caton led a powerful montage from "Sinners," tracing Black music's history from West Africa to hip-hop, with ballerina Misty Copeland joining despite her recent hip replacement. The performance energized the crowd and set a vibrant tone for the evening.

Later, singers from "KPop Demon Hunters" delivered "Golden," which claimed Best Original Song—the first K-pop track to win in the category. This milestone underscored the growing global influence in cinema. A rare tie in Best Live-Action Short Film between "Two People Exchanging Saliva" and "The Singers" added unexpected drama, as O'Brien quipped about ruined Oscar pools.

Politics and Global Issues Take Center Stage

Presenters and winners used their platforms to address pressing world concerns at the Oscars 2026. Javier Bardem, while presenting Best International Feature Film, declared "No to war and Free Palestine" before announcing Norway's "Sentimental Value" as the winner. Director Joachim Trier echoed this sentiment in his speech, quoting James Baldwin and urging voters to prioritize children's futures.

Paul Thomas Anderson, who won Best Director for "One Battle After Another," dedicated his film to his children as an apology for the world's state, yet expressed hope in their generation. Pavel Talankin, from "Mr Nobody Against Putin," called to "stop all of these wars now." These moments amplified the ceremony's role in sparking dialogue on global peace.

Industry Reactions and Tributes

Hollywood responded with a mix of applause and reflection to the political undertones. According to reports, the audience showed strong support for the statements, aligning with ongoing industry conversations about social responsibility. No official backlash emerged immediately, though organizers had not commented by press time.

The In Memoriam segment honored film icons lost in the past year, including Rob Reiner, who was murdered in late 2025. Billy Crystal led a tribute, joined by Meg Ryan and others. Barbra Streisand sang "The Way We Were" for Robert Redford, calling him an "intellectual cowboy." The segment also remembered Diane Keaton and Catherine O'Hara, drawing tears from attendees.

Promotions and Host's Wit Add Flair

Disney seized the broadcast to promote upcoming releases, weaving in sketches with stars like Sigourney Weaver, Pedro Pascal, and Grogu from "The Mandalorian & Grogu." Anna Wintour and Anne Hathaway teased "The Devil Wears Prada 2," while Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. reunited for "Avengers: Doomsday." These bits blended fun with marketing.

Conan O'Brien's monologue targeted politics and industry quirks, joking about Los Angeles' past fires and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos' theater visits. He also roasted the lack of British nominees with a pointed Epstein reference and poked fun at Timothée Chalamet. Such humor kept the Oscars 2026 highlights engaging and relatable.

Other notable wins included Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor in "Sinners," Jessie Buckley for Best Actress in "Hamnet," and Sean Penn for Best Supporting Actor in "One Battle After Another." "Frankenstein" swept technical categories like Costume Design and Production Design, while "Avatar: Fire and Ash" took Visual Effects. As awards season wraps, these moments signal shifts in storytelling and representation.