The winners

The 2026 Academy Awards (98th Edition) were a mix of emotional tributes and comedic highlights, anchored by host Conan O'Brien in his second consecutive year at the helm. 

The Winners: Was it Deserved?

The night belonged to "One Battle After Another", which dominated the ceremony with six wins, including Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Ensemble. Critics and fans alike largely agreed with these wins, especially as it marked a long-awaited first Oscar for Anderson. 

Category Winner Movie

Best Picture — One Battle After Another

Best Director Paul Thomas Anderson One Battle After Another

Best Actor Michael B. Jordan Sinners

Best Actress Jessie Buckley One Battle After Another

Animated Feature — K-Pop Demon Hunters

Analysis: Michael B. Jordan's win for Sinners was widely seen as a career-defining moment, finally securing a "deserved" Best Actor trophy after years of being a Hollywood powerhouse. 

The Streisand & Redford Tribute

The most emotional moment was Barbra Streisand's rare performance and speech during the In Memoriam segment to honor her The Way We Were (1973) co-star, Robert Redford, who passed away in September 2025. 

The Speech: She called Redford an "intellectual cowboy" and praised his "backbone" both on and off-screen, specifically citing his work with the Sundance Institute.

The Song: She sang a portion of "The Way We Were," bringing the audience to a standing ovation. It was her first Oscar stage appearance in 13 years. 

The Host: Conan O'Brien

Conan’s return was marked by his signature self-deprecating humor and sharp wit. 

The Good: His opening monologue poked fun at artificial intelligence, calling himself the "last human host" before next year's "Waymo in a tux". He also performed a hilarious spoof of the movie Weapons, wearing a red wig and clown makeup.

The Appearance of His Wife: Conan arrived on the red carpet with his wife, Liza Powell O'Brien, and throughout the night, their presence together was described by fans and media as "couple goals". Conan even joked during the show about his wife's support during the "pretend" acceptance of his own Oscar. 

The Bottom Line: While the show was long, it felt balanced. The humor from Conan prevented the night from becoming too somber, and the Streisand tribute provided the high-stakes emotional core that these ceremonies often lack. 

Barbra Streisand's emotional tribute to Robert Redford

Legendary actor and director Robert Redford passed away at 89 on September 16, 2025, in his sleep at his Sundance, Utah home. At the 98th Academy Awards in March 2026, Barbra Streisand honored her The Way We Were co-star with an emotional tribute during the "In Memoriam" segment, singing their classic theme song. 

Emotional Tribute to a Hollywood Icon

The Passing: Redford died peacefully at his ranch, leaving behind a massive legacy as an actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival.

The Tribute: Barbra Streisand, his co-star in the 1973 film The Way We Were, returned to the Oscar stage to perform "The Way We Were" as a final farewell.

The Moment: The performance was described as the most moving moment of the 2026 ceremony, celebrating the enduring friendship between the two stars.