Los Angeles hosted a spectacular Academy Awards ceremony on March 15, marking a triumphant evening for Warner Bros Discovery and a celebration of original filmmaking.
Warner Bros dominated the night, securing 11 Oscars including Best Picture for ‘One Battle After Another’, alongside wins for Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn and the first-ever Academy Casting Award.
Additional wins came from ‘Sinners’, including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan and Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler, and ‘Weapons’, which earned Best Supporting Actress for Amy Madigan. Warner Bros also claimed the Sound Oscar for ‘F1’, bringing their total to 12.
Speaking at the Governors Ball, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav praised the studio’s commitment to original storytelling. He highlighted the importance of backing filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, and Michael B. Jordan, noting that without the studio’s support, some of these projects might never have been made.
The night also saw Netflix tying its record with seven wins, including recognition for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’. Del Toro received wide acknowledgment for the film’s Production Design, Costume Design and Makeup and Hair awards.
Netflix’s short films, including ‘The Singers’ and ‘All The Empty Rooms’, were also celebrated, the latter highlighting the impact of gun violence on children.
Acting honours included Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, Jesse Buckley for Hamnet and Sean Penn for One Battle After Another. Penn, who skipped the ceremony to travel to Europe, received his third Oscar, joining a rare group of actors with multiple acting wins.
Amy Madigan’s Best Supporting Actress win for Weapons came 40 years after her first nomination, a long-awaited recognition that drew widespread applause.
This year’s Oscars were notable for recognising films that bypassed traditional festival circuits, demonstrating that strong storytelling can reach the Academy without the usual awards season route. One Battle After Another, Sinners and Weapons received significant recognition and nominations despite avoiding the festival circuit.
Hosting duties were handled by Conan O’Brien, whose performance blended humour, political commentary and heartfelt moments. Opening with a creative sketch inspired by Amy Madigan’s character, O’Brien maintained a lively tone while allowing winners to share meaningful messages.
The In Memoriam segment honoured icons such as Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand, though some omissions, including French stars Brigitte Bardot and Alain Delon, drew attention.
Overall, the ceremony reflected a balance of glamour, social awareness and respect for cinema. The Governors Ball remained vibrant hours after the ceremony, with winners and guests celebrating a night defined by original films, stellar performances and enduring contributions to the art of filmmaking.
The 2026 Oscars set a high bar, leaving audiences anticipating the next Academy Awards with hope for another year of remarkable films and cinematic achievements.
