The 98th edition of the Academy Awards wrapped up an eventful awards season, finally revealing the biggest winners in Hollywood after months of anticipation. Held in mid-March, the ceremony celebrated the best films and performances of 2025, with several major surprises and emotional victories throughout the night. From acting shocks to technical triumphs, the evening proved once again why the Oscars remain the most prestigious honors in the global film industry.
The biggest winner of the night was One Battle After Another, which walked away with the coveted Best Picture award along with multiple other honors. Director Paul Thomas Anderson finally secured his long-awaited Best Director Oscar for the film, marking a major milestone in his celebrated career. The movie also picked up awards for Adapted Screenplay and Editing, cementing its dominance at this year’s ceremony and earning massive praise from critics and fans alike.
One of the night’s biggest surprises came in the Best Actor category, where Michael B. Jordan won for his performance in Sinners, beating strong contenders like Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for her powerful role in Hamnet, a win that many industry insiders had predicted throughout the awards season. In the supporting categories, Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his role in One Battle After Another, while veteran actress Amy Madigan earned Best Supporting Actress for the film Weapons.
Several technical and creative categories also delivered memorable moments. Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, while the haunting period spectacle Frankenstein picked up multiple craft awards including Costume Design, Production Design, and Makeup & Hair. In a historic moment, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners, becoming the first woman to win in the category.
In the animated category, KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature, while Norway’s Sentimental Value took home the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. Meanwhile, blockbuster spectacle Avatar: Fire and Ash claimed the Visual Effects award, continuing the franchise’s long tradition of dominating the category.
With powerful performances, ambitious filmmaking, and a mix of expected and shocking wins, the 98th Academy Awards delivered an unforgettable night for cinema lovers. As Hollywood celebrates the achievements of the past year, films like One Battle After Another and Sinners have now secured their place in Oscar history — and the conversation around them is only just beginning.