2026 Oscars: A Night of Triumphs and Missed Opportunities

The 98th Academy Awards, held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, showcased a mix of historic wins and notable absences. Hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second consecutive year, the ceremony featured a record-breaking number of nominations for the film *Sinners*, which led with 16 nominations and ultimately won four Oscars, including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan and Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler. However, the event was marred by a perceived lack of star power and several missed opportunities for memorable moments.

Vanity Fair

• *One Battle After Another*, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, emerged as the big winner of the night, taking home six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Anderson's triumph marked a significant moment in his career, as he won his first Oscars after 14 nominations.

PBS News Hour

• Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history by becoming the first woman and first person of color to win the Best Cinematography Oscar for her work on *Sinners*.

PBS News Hour

• The ceremony also featured a historic tie in the Best Live Action Short Film category, with both *The Singers* and *Two People Exchanging Saliva* winning the award.

Hollywood Reporter

Despite the successes, the ceremony faced criticism for its lack of star presence. Many prominent figures, including Sean Penn, were absent, leading to a perception that the event lacked the excitement typically associated with the Oscars. Critics noted that the show felt smaller and less engaging, with missed opportunities for high-profile appearances and tributes. For instance, the absence of Meryl Streep during a promotional stunt for *The Devil Wears Prada 2* was highlighted as a significant oversight.

Variety Magazine

Conan O’Brien addressed the audience with a mix of humor and sincerity, acknowledging the current global climate while emphasizing the importance of optimism and collaboration in filmmaking. He remarked, “We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today: optimism.”

There were discrepancies regarding the attendance of major stars. While Sean Penn was reported to be in Ukraine, his absence raised questions about his commitment to the awards. Additionally, the overall star power of the event was debated, with some sources suggesting that the ceremony felt less vibrant compared to previous years.

Hollywood Reporter

• “I'm so honored to be here and I really want all the women in the room to stand up because I feel like I don't get here without you guys,” — Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Best Cinematography Winner

PBS News Hour

• “My friends, Rob’s movies will last for lifetimes because they were about what makes us laugh and cry and what we aspire to be far better in his eyes, far kinder, far funnier and far more human,” — Billy Crystal, during the tribute to Rob Reiner

Hollywood Reporter

Looking ahead, the Academy is expected to reassess its approach to engaging stars and enhancing the overall spectacle of the Oscars. With the impending shift of the ceremony to YouTube in 2029, there may be significant changes in how the event is produced and presented to adapt to evolving audience expectations.

Vanity Fair

The 2026 Oscars highlighted both the achievements of filmmakers and the challenges facing the industry, setting the stage for future discussions about the direction of Hollywood and its awards ceremonies.

Vanity Fair