After a long awards season, the 98th Academy Awards wrapped up a celebration of the top films of 2025 at the Dolby Theater on Sunday, March 15. The night was absolutely loaded. From funny bits and emotional moments to historic firsts and record breakers, there’s a lot to discuss. The 2026 Oscars really spread the love, and many films and performances were deservedly recognized, so let’s take a look at some of my favorite moments and takeaways from the night’s ceremony.
Conan Opens the Show as Aunt Gladys
In a cold open that feels pulled right out of the MTV Movie Awards in its heyday, Conan O’Brien, dressed as Weapons villain Aunt Gladys, is chased by a group of children (à la the fate of the character in Weapons’ final act). The host spoofed various scenes from some of the night’s biggest films, including F1 and Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, and an animated sequence referencing KPop Demon Hunters. The pre-recorded sketch ended with a body double for O’Brien being chased through the aisles of the Dolby theater and on to the stage before officially kicking off the night.
A Big Night For Horror
For the first category of the night, Amy Madigan won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the ginger wig-donning centuries-old witch known as Aunt Gladys. This was Madigan’s first win following her first nomination 40 years ago. The win was an impressive feat, given that Madigan was the sole nominee for Weapons that night. With the Oscars notoriously shutting out horror, it was quite cool to see a win for the film.
However, it seemed to kick off a trend. Horror had one of the most successful nights in Oscars history. Following were some creative wins for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein: Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Hair and Makeup. Already making history for the most nominations of any film in Oscars history with 16 nominations, Southern Gothic Sinners received four wins.
Will Arnett Calls Out AI in Art
Before presenting the nominees for Best Animated Short, Will Arnett used his platform to denounce AI usage in art. Arnett has done several voice acting roles, notably in The LEGO Batman Movie and BoJack Horseman.
‘Sinners’ Showstopping Performance
The cast’s stage performance of the film’s surreal montage was a major highlight of the night. Led by Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq in a rendition of “I Lied to You,” prominent figures in music and dance joined the performance in an homage to the most nominated film of the night, including Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Alice Smith, Eric Gales, and Misty Copeland.
Achievement in Casting Makes Its Debut
One Battle After Another’s Cassandra Kulukundis claimed the first-ever Oscar for Achievement in Casting. Cast members of their respective films presented the award nominees. Hamnet’s Paul Mescal, Marty Supreme’s Gwyneth Paltrow, One Battle After Another’s Chase Infiniti, The Secret Agent’s Wagner Moura, and Sinners’ Delroy Lindo. In her speech, Kulukundis acknowledged the lack of recognition casting directors receive during awards season. “I have to obviously thank the Academy for even adding this category and for the casting directors that fought tirelessly to make it happen despite everything in their way.”
Ryan Coogler is Halfway to EGOT Status
Ryan Coogler became the second Black filmmaker to win Best Original Screenplay. He joins Jordan Peele, who became the first in 2018. Coogler has now received both an Oscar and a Grammy for Sinners. Both wins are a testament to his work on making the film the global phenomenon it became and a merited recognition of his talents as both a writer and producer. In his acceptance speech, Coogler thanked everyone involved in the making of Sinners, adding, “You are all winners in my book.” He then went on to thank his wife, Zinzi Coogler, the lead producer of Sinners, their three children, and his mom.
Firsts in the Cinematography Category
In another historic moment, Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman and the first Black person to win the award for Best Cinematography. Arkapaw received an award for her work on the film Sinners, which she shot entirely in two large formats: Ultra Panavision 70 and IMAX, becoming the first to do so. In her speech, Arkapaw asked all of the women in the room to stand, saying, “I don’t get here without you.”
A Tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner
The past several months have hit the industry hard, with the losses of several film greats. The ‘In Memoriam’ began with actor Billy Crystal paying tribute to Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner. After highlighting several of Reiner’s iconic films, like When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me, and The Princess Bride, Crystal was then joined onstage by several actors who’d appeared in Reiner’s films.
Best Actor & Actress
In the home stretch of the ceremony, two of the biggest awards of the night are announced.
Michael B. Jordan won the award for Best Actor for his dual role as the Smokestack twins in Sinners. Walking up to the stage to ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All,” Jordan received a standing ovation. In his speech, he shouted out his mom and dad, who he said flew in from Ghana to witness his big night. Jordan also thanked his longtime collaborator, Coogler, with whom he has worked on Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
After sweeping the entire awards season, Jessie Buckley won the award for Best Actress for her gut-wrenching performance as Agnes in Hamnet. The win makes Buckley the first Irish woman to win in the category. Buckley, a new mom herself, dedicated her award to “the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart.
What were some of your favorite moments, N’Crowd?
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