Oscars 2025 crowns One Battle After Another with six wins in a night of surprises

A night of firsts and fierce competition unfolded as the Oscars defied expectations. From record-breaking wins to bold political statements, here's what stole the show.

, and Administrator

2026 March 17 . 10:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows a woman in a blue and black dress standing on a red carpet in front of a board with... — The image shows a woman in a blue and black dress standing on a red carpet in front of a board with text and sculptures in the background. The text on the board reads "Oscars 2018 Red Carpet Arrivals" and the sculptures appear to be of various shapes and sizes.

Oscars 2025 crowns One Battle After Another with six wins in a night of surprises

The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Conan O'Brien. The ceremony saw wins spread across multiple films, with One Battle After Another taking home six key awards. Blood & Sinners led nominations with 16 but did not dominate the night.

The evening began with Zoe Saldana presenting the first award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Conan O'Brien then kicked off the show with a playful montage tribute to the nominated films, echoing Billy Crystal's classic hosting style.

*One Battle After Another* secured major wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson. The film's success, however, did not overshadow other contenders, as no single production swept the awards. Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor in a Leading Role, joining a select group of Black actors honoured in the category. Meanwhile, Al Nelson of the *F1* sound team accepted Best Sound, highlighting the musicality of race car engines. Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman—and woman of colour—to win for Cinematography. Javier Bardem also drew attention when presenting Best International Feature Film, using the moment to make a political statement. Later in the evening, Billy Crystal led a heartfelt In Memoriam segment, paying tribute to the late Rob Reiner.

The ceremony closed with wins distributed among several films, reflecting a competitive year. Blood & Sinners entered with the most nominations but left with fewer awards than expected. The night's honours instead recognised a diverse range of talent and achievements.