The record-nominated film Sinners, wins four awards as Jessie Buckley and One Battle After Another also triumph.
Michael B. Jordan received the Best Actor award at the 98th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre. The award was given for his performance in the film Sinners, where he portrayed twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore.
The victory marks Jordan’s first Academy Award. He became the first actor to win the Best Actor Oscar for playing twin characters in the same film. Jordan, who is 39, joins a small group of Black actors who have won the award, including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, and Forest Whitaker.
In his acceptance speech, Jordan began by expressing gratitude to God.
He then addressed his family, including his mother, who was seated with him in the audience.
Jordan explained that his father had traveled from Ghana to attend the ceremony.
The actor also thanked the film’s writer and director, Ryan Coogler, with whom he has collaborated on several projects.
Jordan acknowledged actors who influenced his career.
He concluded by promising continued dedication to his craft.
Jordan won the award ahead of nominees Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, and Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another.
Other Awards for Sinners
The film Sinners entered the ceremony with 16 nominations, the highest number of nominations ever received by a single film in Oscar history.
Despite the record, the film won four awards:
Best Actor
- Michael B. Jordan
Best Original Screenplay
- Ryan Coogler
Best Cinematography
- Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Best Original Score
- Ludwig Göransson
Arkapaw’s win was historic. She became the first woman ever to receive the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Speaking after receiving the award, she said she hoped her recognition would encourage young women to enter the field.
The Best Actress award went to Jessie Buckley for her performance in Hamnet.
Buckley portrayed Agnes Shakespeare, the mother of Hamnet. The role depicts the emotional journey of a mother coping with the loss of her child.
This was Buckley’s first Academy Award, and her victory was also significant for Ireland. She became the first Irish actress to win the Best Actress Oscar.
Best Picture and Other Major Winners
The evening’s most awarded film was One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film received six Academy Awards, including:
- Best Picture
- Best Director
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Editing
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Casting
During his acceptance speech, Anderson referred to his previous nominations before finally winning.
Best Costume Design
- Kate Hawley for Frankenstein
Best Original Song
- “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters
Best Animated Film
- KPop Demon Hunters
Best Live Action Short Film
A tie between Two People Exchanging Saliva and The Singers.
The ceremony also included a memorial segment honouring actors, writers, and filmmakers who died in 2025 and features a performance by Huntrix.
With its record nominations and four major wins, Sinners was one of the most discussed films of the evening, while One Battle After Another emerged as the most awarded production of the night.
