• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
culture

Oscars 2026 recap: The biggest winners and best moments

PHOTO: Jessie Buckley, Oscar winner for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 'Hamnet,' poses with Michael B. Jordan, Oscar winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role for 'Sinners' at the 98th Academy Awards, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
4:26
Jill Connelly/EPA/Shutterstock
Backstage with Oscars’ biggest winners
By Mason Leib, Angeline Jane Bernabe, Emily Shapiro, Katie Kindelan
Last Updated: March 15, 2026, 11:33 PM

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 11:33 PM

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.

PHOTO: Host Conan O'Brien speaks onstage during the Oscars show at the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Blake/Reuters
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 10:54 PM

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.

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

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


Mar 15, 2026 10:30 PM

Protests to be monitored at Oscars

Security around the Oscars is tight amid war in Iran and domestic threats, and officials say they are also monitoring for any protests that may erupt during the red carpet or show.

While there haven't been any reports of protests leading up to the Oscars, LAPD sources told ABC News earlier this week that responses to protests have been mapped out.

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes attack targeting military and government sites, according to U.S. officials.

Iran has continued to respond to the operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. There were also two domestic attacks on Thursday — one at the Temple Israel synagogue in Michigan and the other at Virginia's Old Dominion University — that are being investigated as potentially motivated by the strife in the Middle East.



Mar 15, 2026 10:16 PM

Demi Moore, Zoe Saldaña among A-listers on red carpet

Demi Moore, Zoe Saldaña, Heidi Klum, Marlee Matlin and Spike Lee are among the A-listers shining on the Oscars red carpet.

PHOTO: Demi Moore attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre, March 15, 2026, in Hollywood.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Demi Moore attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre, March 15, 2026, in Hollywood.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
PHOTO: Zoe Saldana attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Zoe Saldana attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

PHOTO: Heidi Klum attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Heidi Klum attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

PHOTO: Marlee Matlin attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Emma Mcintyre/Getty Images
Marlee Matlin attends the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Emma Mcintyre/Getty Images
PHOTO: Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee attend the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee attend the 98th Oscars, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Mar 16, 2026 12:46 AM

Why didn't Sean Penn attend the Oscars?

When Sean Penn was announced as the winner for best supporting actor for his performance in "One Battle After Another," some were surprised to not see the actor in attendance.

It's unclear as to why Penn wasn't at the Oscars. Last year's winner for supporting actor, Kieran Culkin, who announced the category, said, "Sean Penn couldn't be here this evening, or didn't want to, so I'll be accepting the award on his behalf."

PHOTO: A photo of Sean Penn is shown onstage after he won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "One Battle After Another" during the 98th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, March 15, 2026.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
A photo of Sean Penn is shown onstage after he won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "One Battle After Another" during the 98th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, March 15, 2026.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

This past awards season, Penn won the BAFTA for best supporting actor, and the Actor Award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role, but he did not attend those award shows either.


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in culture

PHOTO: Tyra Banks attends the NFL Commissioner's Party, Feb. 6, 2026, in San Francisco.

Tyra Banks sues Netflix over portrayal in 'America's Next Top Model' docuseries

June 13, 2026
PHOTO: Tom Cruise, David and Victoria Beckham attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay, June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.

Tom Cruise, David Beckham and more celebrities spotted at US World Cup opener in Los Angeles

June 13, 2026
PHOTO: Trooping the Colour parade to honour Britain's King Charles on his official birthday in London

King Charles III, Prince William and Kate, more step out for Trooping the Colour

June 13, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News