Oscars 2026 Live: ‘One Battle After Another’ wins the Oscar race

Frankenstein is unstoppable! Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau take home the Oscar for Best Production Design, presented by Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, giving Guillermo del Toro's gothic epic its third win of the night! Beating out Hamnet (Fiona Crombie & Alice Felton), Marty Supreme (Jack Fisk & Adam Willis), One Battle After Another (Florencia Martin & Anthony Carlino), and Sinners (Hannah Beachler & Monique Champagne), Frankenstein is firmly planting its flag as the night's craft champion.

The monster keeps growing — and nobody is stopping it.

Ryan Coogler and Sinners are on the board! After much anticipation, the Academy rewards Coogler's original vision with the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, presented by Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. It's a richly deserved win for a film that announced itself as something truly special — beating out a stellar field that included Robert Kaplow (Blue Moon), Jafar Panahi (It Was Just An Accident), Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), and Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value).

With its first win of the night, Sinners signals loud and clear that it is very much in the race. Don't look away.

PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON FINALLY HAS AN OSCAR! After multiple nominations spanning one of the greatest careers in modern cinema, PTA takes home the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for One Battle After Another — and the Dolby Theatre knows exactly what it's witnessing. Presented by Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr.

One of Hollywood's most celebrated filmmakers finally has the gold to match his legend. One Battle After Another now has three wins on the night, but this one? This one is personal. What a moment. What a night.

Why didn't Sean Penn attend the Oscars?

Presenter Kieran Culkin quipped that Penn "couldn't be here or didn't want to" before accepting on his behalf — but why exactly? The short answer is: there's no single official reason given. It's simply very much who Sean Penn is.

Penn has long had a complicated relationship with the Academy. At the 2024 Marrakech Film Festival, he called the Academy "cowardly" for being overly restrictive in its approach to artistic expression. In past interviews, he has joked about melting down his two previous Oscars to make ammunition for Ukraine — signalling a genuine disinterest in the statuettes themselves. And he has never seemed especially interested in the red carpets and photo lines.

In short? Sean Penn won an Oscar tonight. He just didn't feel like showing up for it.

Sean Penn takes home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another! The veteran actor edges out a fiercely competitive field that included Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Delroy Lindo (Sinners), and Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value) to claim the prize.

However, Penn was notably absent to receive his award — one of the night's talking points. A powerhouse performance recognised by the Academy nonetheless, and a big moment for Paul Thomas Anderson's film, which now has two wins on the night!

A tie! The Oscars have served up a stunning surprise in the Best Live Action Short category! Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt (The Singers) and Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata (Two People Exchanging Saliva) share the honour in one of the most dramatic moments of the night. Ties at the Oscars are extraordinarily rare, making this a truly unforgettable milestone at the 98th Academy Awards.

It's a tie! THE SINGERS and TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA both win the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/sspwxUKtbj

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 16, 2026

This is where we stand so far:

✅ Best Supporting Actress — Amy Madigan, Weapons

✅ Best Animated Feature — Kpop Demon Hunters

✅ Best Animated Short — The Girl Who Cried Pearls

✅ Best Costume Design — Kate Hawley, Frankenstein

✅ Best Makeup and Hairstyling — Frankenstein

✅ Best Casting — Cassandra Kulukundis, One Battle After Another

⏳ Best Live Action Short — up next!

History is made at the 98th Academy Awards! Cassandra Kulukundis becomes the first-ever Oscar winner for Best Casting, taking home the historic award for One Battle After Another. A landmark moment for the casting community, who have waited decades for this recognition. Paul Thomas Anderson's film etches its name into the history books tonight — not just as a great film, but as the answer to a trivia question that will last forever. What a moment.

History is made! ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER wins the first-ever Oscar for Best Casting. Congratulations, Cassandra Kulukundis! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/85POu1cN4z

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 16, 2026

A monster of a transformation — and the Academy agrees! Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey claim the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Frankenstein, giving del Toro's gothic epic its second win of the night. The craft categories are firmly in Frankenstein's grip, and it's showing no signs of letting go. Could this be the beginning of big?

A monster of a transformation. Congratulations to Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey for winning the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for FRANKENSTEIN! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/rOwZT7thPm

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 15, 2026

Kate Hawley takes home the Oscar for Best Costume Design for Frankenstein! A stunning win for a film that clearly made its mark far beyond the screen. Guillermo del Toro's gothic vision demanded extraordinary craftsmanship, and Hawley delivered in spectacular fashion. In her acceptance speech, she offered heartfelt thanks to the makers, her family, and Netflix. A richly deserved award for one of the night's most visually striking films.