Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another won best picture at the 98th Academy Awards, completing a major victory for the director, who had never before received an Oscar. The film, a sweeping comic saga about political resistance across generations, took six awards, including best director, best adapted screenplay, best supporting actor for Sean Penn and the inaugural award for best casting.

Three films centered on the Gaza war and hostage crisis failed to secure wins in their categories. During the ceremony, actor Javier Bardem voiced support for Palestine while presenting an award, reflecting the evening's undercurrent of political commentary amid global tensions.

Sinners also emerged as a major winner, with Michael B. Jordan earning best actor and Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman cinematographer to win in her category. Jessie Buckley claimed best actress for Hamnet, marking a historic first for an Irish performer. The night featured several tributes to late film legends and repeated references to the shifting state of the film industry.

The ceremony highlighted a strong showing for traditional theatrical releases, particularly from Warner Bros., even as the studio faces a pending merger. Streaming platforms collected several awards, but the top prize once again went to a film released in theaters, underscoring ongoing debates about the future of cinema.