The 98th Academy Awards on Sunday delivered one of the most exciting Oscars ceremonies in years, with a mix of thrilling winners, historic milestones, and heartfelt tributes that kept audiences captivated.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another emerged as the big winner, taking six Oscars including best picture, while Ryan Coogler’s Sinners won four, marking a rare box-office and awards success for both films. Netflix’s Frankenstein and KPop Demon Hunters also earned multiple wins, proving that popular streaming films could compete with traditional cinema.

The ceremony saw historic firsts, including Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman to win an Oscar for cinematography for Sinners, and Jessie Buckley becoming the first Irish woman to win best actress. Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler made history as among the few Black recipients in leading acting and screenwriting categories.

Host Conan O’Brien set a lively tone, blending humor and political edge, while the In Memoriam segment stood out with emotional tributes, including Barbra Streisand’s homage to Robert Redford.

Unlike recent years, the 2026 Oscars avoided major mishaps, running smoothly with no envelope mix-ups or on-stage controversies, and even included a rare tie in the best short film category.

The ceremony reflected both cinematic achievement and commercial appeal, signaling a rejuvenation of the Oscars experience for audiences worldwide.

With inputs from BBC