Oscars 2026 recap: The biggest winners and best moments

Host Conan O'Brien guided viewers through the evening.

Last Updated: March 15, 2026, 10:52 PM EDT

The biggest and brightest stars from across Hollywood and the world of entertainment gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday for the 98th Academy Awards.

"One Battle After Another" won the Oscar for best picture, while Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan took home the Academy Awards for leading actress and leading actor. "One Battle After Another" won six total Oscars -- including best picture -- out of 13 nominations.

Scroll below to see how the night unfolded.

Mar 15, 2026, 7:36 PM EDT

'KPop Demon Hunters' wins Academy Award for best animated feature film

"KPop Demon Hunters" won the Oscar for best animated feature film.

Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film for "KPop Demon Hunters" at the 98th Academy Awards, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Blake/Reuters

Other nominees in the category included "Arco," "Elio," "Little Amélie or the Character of Rain" and "Zootopia 2."

Mar 15, 2026, 7:33 PM EDT

Amy Madigan wins Oscar for best supporting actress

Amy Madigan won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her work in "Weapons."

"This is great!" she said as she accepted the Oscar.

Amy Madigan accepts the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for "Weapons" at the 98th Academy Awards, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Blake/Reuters

Madigan ended her list of thank-yous by shouting out her husband, Ed Harris. The couple has been married for more than four decades.

"The most important is my beloved Ed, who's been with me forever ... and none of this would mean anything if he wasn't by my side," she said, as the crowd applauded. "So, thank you very much. I'm very overwhelmed."

Other nominees in the category were Elle Fanning ("Sentimental Value"), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas ("Sentimental Value"), Wunmi Mosaku ("Sinners") and Teyana Taylor ("One Battle After Another").

Mar 15, 2026, 7:33 PM EDT

Conan O'Brien kicks off the show with wide-ranging opening monologue

Talk show host and comedian Conan O'Brien kicked off the show at the 2026 Oscars with a wide-ranging opening monologue highlighting the stars and films vying for the top prizes at tonight's ceremony.

Host Conan O'Brien speaks onstage during the Oscars show at the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Blake/Reuters

The opening segment started with a skit featuring O'Brien getting an undesirable makeover a la Amy Madigan in "Weapons" -- ahead of the show before being chased through scenes from the year's top films and appearing on the Oscar stage.

"I'm honored to be the last human host of the Academy Awards," he said at the top of his speech. "Next year, it's going to be a Waymo in a tux."

O'Brien also took swipes at Timothée Chalamet's opera, ballet controversy, Netflix's relationship with theatergoers and more.

The comedian also touched on the film's top pictures and talent, including joking about Leonardo DiCaprio's tendency to appear in a variety of online memes, while he attempted to make a new meme on the fly with DiCaprio, "That feeling when you didn't agree to this."

O'Brien also took a moment to address current events, saying celebrating the past year's films was important "not because we think all is well, but because we work and hope for better in the days ahead."

Mar 15, 2026, 6:53 PM EDT

Jessie Buckley, Chase Infiniti and more step out in bold colors on red carpet

Several stars are incorporated bold colors in their Oscars red carpet looks.

Best actress nominee Jessie Buckley stepped out in a pink and red gown, while "One Battle After Another" actress Chase Infiniti went with a custom lavender gown from Louis Vuitton, according to Vogue.

Jessie Buckley attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre, March 15, 2026, in Hollywood.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Chase Infiniti attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Ryan Sun/EPA/Shutterstock

"Sinners" actress Li Jun Li and best actress nominee Renate Reinsve, both opted for bold red gowns.

"Sinners" star and best supporting actress nominee Wunmi also brought color to the red carpet, stepping out in a sparkling emerald green gown.

Li Jun Li attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Renate Reinsve attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Daniel Cole/Reuters
Wunmi Mosaku attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre, March 15, 2026, in Hollywood.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

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