From Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s historic win to 'KPop Demon Hunters’ triumph, Oscars 2026 was all about history being made
From breakthrough wins to long‑awaited triumphs, Hollywood finally celebrated first‑ever milestones
The 98th Academy Awards was a night to remember. Fans around the world watched as some of cinema’s most beloved talents finally stepped into the spotlight to claim the Oscars that had eluded them in the past. From actors winning for the first time ever, to new categories being honoured, the Oscars 2026 was a night of firsts, surprises, and meaningful change.
This year saw the Academy embrace new categories and recognise voices from across the world like never before. Films that had buzzed all season translated that energy into wins that felt historic, while established artists added defining moments to their legacies.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history with a Best Cinematography Oscar win for Sinners. She became the first woman ever to win in this category, breaking barriers in a field long dominated by male cinematographers. Her win was celebrated as a milestone for diversity and representation in the world of cinema.
Best Casting award
For the first time, the Oscars awarded Best Casting, and Cassandra Kulukundis was its inaugural winner for One Battle After Another. A longtime collaborator with Paul Thomas Anderson, Kulukundis has cast for many critically acclaimed films and shows throughout her career, including The Brutalist, Gossip Girl, There Will Be Blood, Her, among others. This new category highlighted the importance of casting in filmmaking.
KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature, becoming the first K‑pop‑themed film to take home an Oscar. Its soundtrack, Golden, which won Best Original Song, marked the first time a K‑pop song was honoured in that category by the Academy. The film’s success reflected the global influence of Korean pop culture and the Academy’s efforts towards encouraging diversity.
Michael B Jordan
Michael B Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners, marking his first Oscar win. After starring in critically acclaimed roles over many years, this achievement was a defining moment in his career and a landmark for representation in major acting categories. Sinners led the Oscars with an unprecedented 16 nominations, highlighting Jordan’s powerful performance in the film.
Jessie Buckley
Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, making her the first Irish actor ever to win in this category. Buckley’s emotional performance in the film was widely praised throughout awards season, and her win at the Oscars cemented her status as one of the most promising talents of her generation.
Paul Thomas Anderson
Paul Thomas Anderson won his first Oscar for Best Director for One Battle After Another, after having nominated by the Academy 14 times throughout his career. The award this year was a long‑awaited acknowledgement of his vision and craft. One Battle After Another also picked up Best Picture and several other awards, showing that the year belongs to him!
Amy Madigan
Amy Madigan’s Best Supporting Actress win for Weapons was one of the night’s most emotional moments. She won an Oscar more than four decades after her first nomination, setting a record for the longest gap between nomination and win for an actor. Her career has spanned decades, making this triumph especially meaningful.
Lead image: Getty