The 98th Academy Awards were a night full of historic wins, moving speeches, and unforgettable moments. The ceremony celebrated global cinema’s power while showcasing the film industry’s diversity and growth.
Hosted by comedian and television personality Conan O’Brien, the evening blended humour, sharp commentary, and powerful tributes as Hollywood’s biggest names gathered to honour the year’s best films and performances.
Conan O’Brien kicked off the ceremony with a memorable entrance, disguised in detailed prosthetic makeup before revealing himself on stage. His opening monologue set the tone with jokes about current controversies, the rise of artificial intelligence, and changes in entertainment.
He also took playful jabs at major industry figures, including Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, while addressing the growing dominance of streaming platforms. Despite the humour, O’Brien also struck a serious note, reflecting on global challenges and emphasizing how cinema brings together artists from different cultures and backgrounds.
The biggest winner of the night was One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film converted its 13 nominations into six wins, including the two most prestigious awards — Best Picture and Best Director.
For Anderson, this was his first Academy Award win. In an emotional acceptance speech, he said the film was inspired by his wish to leave a message of hope and responsibility for future generations.
The film also took home awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Production Design, and the new Best Casting category.
Another major highlight of the evening was Michael B. Jordan winning Best Actor for his performance in Sinners.
With this victory, Jordan became only the sixth Black actor in history to win the Best Actor Oscar. In his speech, he paid tribute to trailblazing performers who paved the way before him, including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and Will Smith.
Jordan’s heartfelt speech earned a standing ovation from the audience at the Dolby Theatre.
The 98th Academy Awards featured several groundbreaking milestones.
Jessie Buckley made history as the first Irish woman to win Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet, a portrayal of a grieving mother in the emotional drama.
Meanwhile, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman in Oscar history to win Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners. Her win also marked the first time a woman of colour received the award.
The ceremony introduced a new category, Best Casting, to recognize casting directors’ important work for the first time in Academy history.
One of the most surprising moments of the evening occurred during the Best Live-Action Short Film category, which resulted in a rare tie.
Both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva were declared winners, making it only the seventh tie in Oscar history and the first since 2012.
Presenter Kumail Nanjiani handled the unexpected moment with humour, joking that the short film category would now take twice as long.
Another historic moment was when the song “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters became the first K-pop track to win the Oscar for Best Original Song.
The win also marked the first time South Korean artists had received the award in this category, highlighting the growing global influence of Asian cinema and music.
The ceremony included a moving “In Memoriam” segment honoring influential film industry figures who passed away over the past year.
Actors and filmmakers paid tribute to legendary names including Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, and director Rob Reiner. The segment featured heartfelt speeches and reflections on their contributions to cinema.
The 98th Academy Awards showcased how the film industry continues to evolve, embracing diversity, global storytelling, and new creative voices.
With historic wins, emotional moments, and groundbreaking achievements, the ceremony served as a reminder of cinema’s ability to inspire audiences worldwide and to bring together artists from every corner of the globe.
