'One Battle After Another' wins best picture at Oscars 2026

Political thriller One Battle After Another has dominated this year's Oscars, scoring six wins including best picture, the BBC reports.

It marks the first best picture and best director win for Paul Thomas Anderson, who had never previously won an Oscar despite being one of Hollywood's most respected film-makers.

"You make a guy work hard for one of these, I really appreciate it," he joked in his acceptance speech, adding that making the film had been a "wonderful, wonderful journey".

Other winners included Sinners star Michael B Jordan, who beat Timothée Chalamet to the best actor award; and Irish actress Jessie Buckley, who was recognised for her role in Hamnet.

Buckley won the first Oscar of her career for her performance as William Shakespeare's wife, who is overwhelmed with grief after the death of their 11-year-old son.

"This is really something," Buckley said. "It's Mother's Day in the UK today. So I'd like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart.

"We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds. Thank you for recognising me in this role."

She paid an emotional tribute to her eight-month-old daughter, and thanked her parents "for teaching us to dream, and to never be defined by expectation, but to carve from your own passion".

A tight best actor race, meanwhile, culminated in a win for Sinners star Jordan, who played twins whose plans to open a music venue in 1930s Mississippi are derailed by an evil force.

Thanking Sinners director Ryan Coogler, Jordan said: "I'm so honoured to call you a collaborator and a friend, you gave me the opportunity and the space to be seen."

The big winner of the night was One Battle After Another, whose six awards also included best adapted screenplay, and supporting actor for Sean Penn.

Amy Madigan won best supporting actress for Weapons, becoming the first winner of the category from a horror film since Ruth Gordon for Rosemary's Baby in 1969.

It was also her first Oscar nomination since 1986, when she was shortlisted for her role in Twice in a Lifetime.

Elsewhere, Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first female winner of best cinematography, for her work on Sinners.

Netflix's viral smash hit KPop Demon Hunters won best original song for Golden, and was named best animated feature.

Other winners included Frankenstein, which won three technical prizes - best costume design, production design, and make-up and hairstyling - and racing thriller F1, which won best sound.

Elsewhere, there was the first tie since 2013, with best live action short being awarded jointly to The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva.