--- title: "Inside the 98th Oscars: A night of image, power, and performance" description: "On 15 March 2026, the Academy Awards returned to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where the industry gathered to honour the films of 2025. One Battle After Another won Best Picture, while Michael B. Jordan ( Sinners ) and Jessie Buckley ( Hamnet ) took the leading acting awards." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "IN PICTURES" author: "Maverick Life Editors" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/maverick-life-editors/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-16-inside-the-98th-oscars-a-night-of-image-power-and-performance/" published: "2026-03-16T11:06:59" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 1393 --- # Inside the 98th Oscars: A night of image, power, and performance > On 15 March 2026, the Academy Awards returned to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where the industry gathered to honour the films of 2025. *One Battle After Another* won Best Picture, while Michael B. Jordan (*Sinners*) and Jessie Buckley (*Hamnet*) took the leading acting awards. By Maverick Life Editors · Published 16 March 2026, 13:06 SAST ## Content ![In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti speak during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/O-hCsx_JcuIW7GLbdvUML0_BrSc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266707127_124021.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti speak during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![(L-R) Huma Abedin and Anna Wintour attend the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Ztt315KURUypW7eScGSE6AoVBwk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266702836_905912.jpg) *(L-R) Huma Abedin and Anna Wintour attend the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)* ![Mckenna Grace attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/OOFmjsZ6GWas6kRme83r-04CpTM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266705099_160907.jpg) *Mckenna Grace attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/O0Zxm035TKBihkpJM0ki6be4dhY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266703929_702918.jpg) *(L-R) Jennifer Goicoechea and Usher attend the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Hhhh1uhBsIbFL7oKDm5HKKlr9QE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266701963_877166.jpg) *Delroy Lindo attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Y9Fuc_NpP9Q1pUgR1w1fYYr_VQc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266706798_890359.jpg) *Ava DuVernay attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/E5tYE4JA8cE7JsRiZpt4K7eiNcA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266701063_653242.jpg) *Mia Goth attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Hxh1IpDP8PI00LFB0nC_FSxhDvk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266699094_119932.jpg) *Elle Fanning attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/TQAY_lHGY0B7GhDB8Zb8BsR-zPA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266697658_299421.jpg) *Nicole Kidman attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/O-s7yPJMrif2Y4lHL2q3TvBXloQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266696980_132971.jpg) *Heidi Klum attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/MOkhMVAL_sm2us3Z473SisUS_KQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266693053_465031.jpg) *Shayna McHale attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/JZcmkqR8mIws3F0ASZSk3v-M-YA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266682302_854353.jpg) *Misty Copeland attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)* ![In this handout photo provided by The Academy, the cast and crew of Best Picture winner "One Battle After Another" pose during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib / The Academy via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/UOQxLZNCW018SENs_4h44p932Co=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266744535_968988.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, the cast and crew of Best Picture winner "One Battle After Another" pose during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Michael B. Jordan reacts backstage with the Actor in a Leading Role award for "Sinners" during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib / The Academy via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/_Z7rHBSCjCj9WHacGSoxxTgpOyw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266744330_778696.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Michael B. Jordan reacts backstage with the Actor in a Leading Role award for "Sinners" during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![In this handout photo provided by The Academy, (L-R) Benicio del Toro, Paul Thomas Anderson and Lenardo DiCaprio pose after winning the award for Best Picture for "One Battle After Another" during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib / The Academy via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/HJoEyvLw8xIDbe8lX-wNN1f_YiA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266744189_368624.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, (L-R) Benicio del Toro, Paul Thomas Anderson and Lenardo DiCaprio pose after winning the award for Best Picture for "One Battle After Another" during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/gLqOjDTTUnf5CDuk2R2IR7BXWGQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266734772_588700.jpg) *(L-R) Chase Infiniti and Paul Thomas Anderson attends the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/hasRbSy26NzWJ4ytJ3ICTlZzs20=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266733744_753017.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, presenter Mikey Madison walks off stage with Jessie Buckley, winner of the Actress in a Leading Role award for "Hamnet", during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/COmNM6kVpCysTEBbT4y3Qabql_I=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266743026_217227.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami look on backstage before performing "Golden" during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Oavs-cDhSmi3MagbFiMrCH4Sa44=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266731957_534204.jpg) *(L-R) Demi Moore and Autumn Durald Arkapaw attend the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/AWMGhgt1ZG0dF-weonv-PUTqZuM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266732124_657110.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson look on backstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/m451Uuet8jtAsA-VgIthMDRVL6s=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266732358_206924.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, performers prepare backstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/R4dLeKVkSPO5avmHGCb0ZOda29U=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266730591_796424.jpg) *(L-R) Robert Pattinson and Zendaya attend the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ObFqV6PWJoMGoC8Q14b0gLYNFck=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266726310_610710.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, performers wait backstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/nILNdmrXdfYh-n5ZrMtQlJ684MQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266725764_682705.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Emma Stone, Dave McCary, Demi Moore, Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa pose for a selfie in the crowd during the 98th Oscards at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/YPJPuLZQZLHTcSPftqOqEvZdCmY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266723915_853393.jpg) *(L-R) Michael B. Jordan and Donna Jordan attend the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/el8H6KIHv7JLP3bTM3APA4IxFkU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266723853_573083.jpg) *(L-R) Teyana Taylor and Cassandra Kulukundis attend the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/wj8L0K2mafxb6UQAY5cJbLw2ImE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266721283_628228.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver pose backstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/-woHiDBOYl-pGOsrQB0lP3Jx4ZQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266730872_979726.jpg) *Laia Casanovas attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/6G1uRVcwH1iHVOgsNwd1qHiKJfs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266719239_430747.jpg) *Teyana Taylor attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Do-CiG4wLOv3jRAG77AbrBxCB3A=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266719048_582585.jpg) *Alice Smith attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/juouduo-62Im3KkqnEJ7RB8WCLQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266717481_852165.jpg) *(L-R) Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee attend the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/FcbcYUiTiAktPtlGXEXpA0r5BMs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266718927_332255.jpg) *Li Jun Li attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/5_q568Kc80KATsQU2ckIiyLNkPM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266716317_207442.jpg) *(L-R) Wagner Moura and Gwyneth Paltrow attend the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/YbyHCE2bQcrUzJG4xvCf_Rtdmgs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266717355_447538.jpg) *Audrey Nuna attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Vw4llXuhrDlqFFbusTZxPo-3yMU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266715927_640117.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, host Conan O'Brian prepares backstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bpIsmDGVfEgs93j_2djDiL7_ZM8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266714321_777748.jpg) *(L-R) Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas attend the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/BFUc2jLZle5jUmLKxNZCU0JcObg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266714241_546362.jpg) *Jessie Buckley attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/7R9AjZefcCcBwNLP2wDQmVRJFjA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266713380_962081.jpg) *Chase Infiniti attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/u6axDw5ZPwi0Kp3PuOZlrc7pUlk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266713536_918703.jpg) *Rose Byrne attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/jnv84zAKQu70FOUZYGuVLPbahMQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266712403_903966.jpg) *(L-R) Demi Moore and Nicole Kidman attend the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Annual Oscars](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/3YpXHu2xER6X_LwryCoY1rtF_0s=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266712774_698698.jpg) *(L-R) Kate Hudson and Jessie Buckley attend the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty Images The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Backstage](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/7EsCTbenOKYuUk3CNYUsYg72D0Q=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266711071_798402.jpg) *In this handout photo provided by The Academy, awards are seen backstage at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/sOiL4DKBpE_V0HAIRW2euvdqqg4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266707495_727913.jpg) *Chloé Zhao attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/9vTqZpQpXKyaS71bi7VTIC_MfpY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266707472_151620.jpg) *Emma Stone attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ZEMWuM_WzKladw0KFkA0KiVgORY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266707318_883258.jpg) *(L-R) Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson attend the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/c0NJehd9mdjbzLpQcmg-9Itv5Gw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266689339_207657.jpg) *Arden Cho attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/1WYf02hONCHcnyf4tp286y-bRHw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266682313_105594.jpg) *Barbie Ferreira attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)* ![98th Oscars - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/5tWanQOmVojenuWpjeAWna3DrBM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/GettyImages-2266687715_194104.jpg) *Glennon Doyle, bag detail attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)*