Emotional Night at the 98th Academy Awards as Jordan and Buckley Take Top Honors
The 2026 Oscars ceremony delivered powerful moments as Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley emerged victorious in the most coveted acting categories, best actor and best actress. Hosted for the second consecutive year by Conan O'Brien, Hollywood's elite gathered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate another remarkable year in cinema.
Record-Breaking Nominations and Major Wins
Ryan Coogler's horror-action blockbuster Sinners entered the night with a record-breaking 16 nominations, while acting legends including Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Stone, Ethan Hawke, and Kate Hudson hoped to secure golden statues. Ultimately, Jordan's dual portrayal of twin brothers Smoke and Stack in Sinners earned him the best actor award, while Buckley's performance as Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet secured her the best actress honor.
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another emerged as the evening's most decorated film, claiming six awards from its thirteen nominations. This included best picture and Anderson's first-ever Oscar win after fourteen career nominations.
Jordan's Emotional Acceptance Speech
Taking the stage to accept his award, a visibly stunned Jordan, 39, declared: "God is good. I stand here because of the people that came before me." He specifically acknowledged Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and Will Smith, stating: "To be amongst those giants, amongst those greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys."
Jordan expressed gratitude to everyone who supported his career, saying: "I know you guys want me to do well, and I want to do that because you guys bet on me. So thank you for keep betting on me, and I'm gonna keep stepping up, and I'm gonna keep being the best version of myself I could be." He concluded by thanking fans who saw Sinners multiple times, declaring: "You guys made this movie what it is."
Buckley's Heartfelt Dedication
Buckley's winning moment proved equally emotional as she hugged her husband, Freddie Sorensen, and co-star Paul Mescal. Through tears, the 36-year-old Irish actress dedicated her award to "the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart." She expressed disbelief, saying: "This is really something. Thank you to the incredible women that I stand beside. I am inspired by your art and your heart."
Noting that it was Mother's Day in the UK, Buckley reflected: "We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds." She concluded: "Thank you for recognizing me in this role. This is the greatest honor. I can't even believe it."
Complete Winners List and Notable Moments
The evening saw numerous significant wins across categories:
- Best Picture: One Battle After Another
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another
- Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn - One Battle After Another
- Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan - Weapons
- Best Animated Feature: K-Pop Demon Hunters
- Best Original Song: "Golden" from K-Pop Demon Hunters
Anderson used his acceptance speech to honor his late friend and collaborator Adam Somner, who died in 2024 before the film's release. "He's at the bar having a gin and tonic, and he's so happy for me," Anderson shared.
Supporting actor winner Sean Penn, earning his third Oscar for his portrayal of corrupt military officer Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, maintained tradition by not attending the ceremony. Meanwhile, supporting actress winner Amy Madigan, 75, expressed feeling "overwhelmed" and thanked her husband of more than forty years.
Historic Tie and Host's Commentary
In a rare occurrence, the best live-action short film category resulted in a tie for the seventh time in Oscars history, with both Two People Exchanging Saliva and The Singers claiming victory. Host Conan O'Brien quipped after the announcement: "You just ruined 22 million Oscar pools."
The ceremony, which ran for over three and a half hours, maintained high energy throughout as O'Brien ensured equal time for every category and winner. While One Battle After Another dominated the evening, the celebration extended to all nominated films, including Sinners, Frankenstein, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Hamnet, and Sentimental Value.
The 98th Academy Awards ultimately delivered a night of emotional triumphs, historic moments, and celebration of cinematic excellence, with Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley's victories standing as particularly memorable highlights.
