Oscars Winners and Reaction
This awards season was one for the books! Read on to see why I think Best Picture went to the wrong film. Share your thoughts on the winners, snubs and fallout in the Substack comments or @bpopetv
2026 Academy Awards: Full Winners List + Reactions
Best Picture
“One Battle After Another”
At the end of the day, this wasn’t the result I was hoping for. However, it was widely predicted and well-deserved on its merits. I loved One Battle After Another - it’s certainly one of the top two best films of the year. Paul Thomas Anderson crafted an exhilarating story of family, legacy and hope for the future.
While One Battle After Another is a timely piece of cinema, Sinners feels truly timeless - a movie we’ll still be talking about for decades.
How could you forget Michael B. Jordan’s layered dual performance?
Who could forget Delta Slim singing the blues, anchoring some of the film’s deepest soul?
Still lingering is that epic fusion of sight and sound, when the musical spirits of past and future generations bursted with life through the Juke Joint.
I still believe Sinners was the best film of the year and deserved the honor for its industry influence, not just it’s supreme cinematic achievement. Ultimately, Sinners legacy will be bigger than a trophy. Director Ryan Coogler educated his audience through the film, breaking down film aspect ratios and emphasizing why the theatrical experience matters. It’s a film that helped save the craft - bringing new fans from communities often left out of high-level film discussion into the beautiful world of motion pictures.
It was a super competitive race, for sure. According to Adam Klay, Sinners is the first film to win an Oscar for Acting, Screenplay, and more than one technical achievement honor - but lose Best Picture - since All The President’s Men in 1976.
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
Jordan displayed elite level skill to embody twins Smoke and Stack in Sinners, giving each distinct personalities while delivering his signature emotional precision in facial features and quirks. He’s now only the 6th Black man to ever win an Oscar for acting.
Best Actress
Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
Buckley is the emotional heart and glue behind Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, playing the wife of William Shakespeare with raw intensity and excruciating grief. The movie’s success hinges largely on her acting abilities. This was a no-brainer.
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
This was one of two major opportunities for Academy voters to support a veteran performer they are fond of with a great career renaissance story. It’s the first Oscars win for Amy Madigan in 40 years - the second statue of her career. Her turn as Aunt Gladys in Weapons was as memorable as it was chilling - with Madigan displaying whimsy and flightiness, then turning on a dime to deliver one of the horror genres best villains.
Best Supporting Actor
Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”
I knew this would happen, but I firmly believe it was the wrong choice. The Academy missed a golden opportunity to honor a thespian legend in either Delroy Lindo or Stellan Skarsgård. Both have excelled in the industry for decades, with no Oscar to show for it. Before his role as Colonel Lockjaw, Penn had already won two statuettes. His One Battle After Another character, while maniacal and comical, doesn’t come close to meeting the mark of his Oscar-winning performances for Milk and Mystic River. For me, this was the biggest disappointment of the night.
Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
It’s hard to believe “PTA” had never won an Oscar. For that reason, I understand this decision. Ryan Coogler would have been great here, but he will surely get more opportunities in the future.
Original Song
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seon and Teddy Park
It was the earworm of the year. No denying this bop!
Original Score
“Sinners,” Ludwig Göransson
With this win – his third by the age of 41 – Ludwig joins rare company! He’s one of only three living composers with three or more wins in the category, joining Alan Menken and John Williams. To go from producing for Childish Gambino in 2010 to being a three-time Oscar winner is an incredible career trajectory. I expect to see him back on the stage in 2027, as he’s composing the score for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
Animated Film
“KPop Demon Hunters”
I would have loved Zootopia 2 here, but the animation style and story of Kpop Demon Hunters are fantastic. It’s a cultural phenomenon, capturing the hearts of kids, like my 9-year-old niece, and adults alike. A sequel has been greenlit by Netflix.
International Film
“Sentimental Value,” Norway
This artful and poetic tale of estranged family finding connection through film had lush cinematography, an enchanting soundtrack, and numerous scene-stealing acting performances. Given its amount of nominations compared to its contenders, this was no surprise. I really loved this film and hoped it would win more awards.
Documentary Feature
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin”
This is considered a must-see documentary by critics across the globe. I’m looking forward to checking it out myself! Take a look at the story behind Pavel Talankin from BBC.
Casting
Cassandra Kulukundis, “One Battle After Another”
I’m surprised this didn’t go to Sinners, since many felt this new category was created because of it. Still - there’s no denying the Avengers-level assortment of talent PTA brought together: DiCaprio, Del Toro, Penn, Hall, Taylor and a new superstar in Chase Infiniti.
Best Sound
Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo and Juan Peralta, “F1”
This was one of my favorite theater experiences of the year, and the sound was a big reason why. It really made you feel like you were in the driver’s seat of these high octane races. Much deserved.
Cinematography
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, “Sinners”
A history making win! Arkapaw is now the first woman to win the Best Cinematography Oscar. It’s hard to believe the Academy is still hitting milestones like this in 2026. I hope this expands doors for other women behind the camera, and inspires others to pick one up.
Original Screenplay
“Sinners,” Ryan Coogler
Coogler joins Jordan Peele as one of only two Black directors to ever win this award. It feels justified and long overdue to finally say, “Academy Award Winning Director Ryan Coogler.”
Adapted Screenplay
“One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson
Live Action Short Film
“The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva” (Tie)
Some very rare Oscars chaos - this is only the seventh tie in Oscars history.
Animated Short Film
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls”
Documentary Short Film
“All the Empty Rooms”
Steve Hartman is one of the greatest writers in the TV journalism field. A fitting honor for the CBS News Correspondent and a very moving portrait of grief and living through loss for families of school shooting victims.
Visual Effects
Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett, “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
The Avatar series joins Star Wars and Lord of the Rings for most visual effects awards by a franchise.
Production Design
Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau, “Frankenstein”
Film Editing
Andy Jurgensen, “One Battle After Another”
Makeup and Hairstyling
Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, Cliona Furey, “Frankenstein”
Did you see how Jacob Elordi was transformed into The Creature? No contest here.
Costume Design
Kate Hawley, “Frankenstein”
I think if someone has two Oscar wins in a category they shouldn’t be eligible in that category again (acting counting as one category).