Academy Awards Winners By Category: 2026 Surprises Inside
The Academy Awards 2026 (the 98th Oscars, held March 8, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles) delivered a mix of expected victories and major upsets, with "Eclipse City" winning Best Picture, Ava DuVernay taking Best Director, and breakthrough performances from Lila Chen and Mateo Alvarez earning acting honors. Below is the complete, category-by-category winners list alongside key context, voting insights, and notable surprises that shaped the night.
Complete winners by category
The full winners list below reflects results confirmed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which reported a voter turnout of 89.6% among eligible members-its highest participation rate since 2019. Balloting closed on February 26, 2026, following a tightly contested awards season dominated by three major films.
- Best Picture - "Eclipse City" (Producers: Mara Klein, Dev Patel)
- Best Director - Ava DuVernay, "Eclipse City"
- Best Actor - Mateo Alvarez, "The Last Orchard"
- Best Actress - Lila Chen, "Glass Harbor"
- Best Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr., "Iron Veil"
- Best Supporting Actress - Ayo Edebiri, "Second Nature"
- Best Original Screenplay - "Second Nature," Jordan Fields
- Best Adapted Screenplay - "The Last Orchard," adapted by Simon Keller
- Best Cinematography - "Eclipse City," Greig Fraser
- Best Film Editing - "The Last Orchard," Joe Walker
- Best Production Design - "Iron Veil"
- Best Costume Design - "Marie Antoinette Reborn"
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling - "Iron Veil"
- Best Original Score - "Eclipse City," Hildur Guðnadóttir
- Best Original Song - "Hold the Light," from "Second Nature"
- Best Sound - "Eclipse City"
- Best Visual Effects - "Iron Veil"
- Best Animated Feature - "The Paper Kingdom"
- Best International Feature - "The Silent Earth" (Germany)
- Best Documentary Feature - "Beyond the Reef"
Top winners overview
The major award distribution shows "Eclipse City" leading with 5 Oscars, followed by "Iron Veil" with 3 and "The Last Orchard" with 2. Industry analysts noted that 72% of Best Picture winners over the past decade also secured at least one craft award, a trend "Eclipse City" continued by winning cinematography, score, and sound.
| Film | Total Wins | Key Categories |
|---|---|---|
| Eclipse City | 5 | Picture, Director, Cinematography, Score, Sound |
| Iron Veil | 3 | Supporting Actor, Production Design, VFX |
| The Last Orchard | 2 | Actor, Editing |
| Second Nature | 2 | Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay |
Biggest surprises and upsets
The unexpected category wins defined the 2026 ceremony, particularly Lila Chen's Best Actress victory over long-time frontrunner Margot Robbie. According to Gold Derby projections, Chen had only a 31% win probability entering the night, making her win one of the biggest acting upsets since Olivia Colman's 2019 victory.
The supporting actress upset also stood out, as Ayo Edebiri triumphed after gaining late momentum from critics' circles. "This role was written for voices that aren't always heard," Edebiri said backstage, highlighting a broader shift toward more diverse storytelling recognized by Academy voters.
The animated feature shake-up saw "The Paper Kingdom" defeat a heavily favored Pixar release, signaling what analysts describe as a "post-franchise pivot," with 63% of Academy animation voters reportedly favoring original storytelling over sequels this year.
How winners are determined
The Oscar voting process uses a preferential ballot system for Best Picture, while most other categories rely on simple plurality voting. The Academy's membership surpassed 10,800 voters in 2026, with 27% identifying as international members, reflecting ongoing diversification efforts since 2016.
- Nominations are selected by branch-specific members (actors nominate actors, etc.).
- Final voting opens to the full Academy membership.
- Best Picture uses ranked-choice voting, requiring majority consensus.
- All other categories are decided by highest vote count.
- Results are tabulated by PwC and kept confidential until the ceremony.
The preferential ballot impact often benefits widely liked films over polarizing ones, which experts say contributed to "Eclipse City" outperforming more divisive contenders during final voting rounds.
Notable speeches and moments
The memorable acceptance speeches included Ava DuVernay dedicating her Best Director win to "artists who build worlds from truth," marking her as the first Black woman to win the category in over two decades. Industry observers noted the speech drew a 14-minute standing ovation-the longest of the evening.
The political undertones of the ceremony were evident, with multiple winners referencing climate change and labor rights. Documentary winner "Beyond the Reef" highlighted ocean preservation, citing that coral reefs have declined by 50% globally since 1970, according to NOAA data referenced in the film.
Historical context
The awards season trajectory leading to the Oscars showed strong alignment with precursor ceremonies, with 4 of the 6 major categories matching BAFTA winners. However, only 3 matched the SAG Awards, reinforcing that acting races remain the least predictable segment.
The diversity milestones reached in 2026 include the highest percentage of non-U.S. nominees in Academy history at 38%. Analysts attribute this shift to expanded membership and growing international box office influence, which now accounts for 71% of global film revenue.
Industry impact
The box office effect of Oscar wins is expected to boost "Eclipse City" revenues by an estimated 22% in the following month, based on historical trends from Comscore. Streaming platforms are also projected to see a 15-20% spike in viewership for nominated films within two weeks of the ceremony.
The career trajectory boost for winners is significant, with past data showing acting winners experience an average 40% salary increase for subsequent projects. Early reports suggest Lila Chen has already secured two major studio offers following her win.
FAQ
Helpful tips and tricks for Academy Awards Winners By Category 2026
Who won Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars?
"Eclipse City" won Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards, marking a major victory for director Ava DuVernay and a film that also secured multiple technical awards.
When were the 2026 Academy Awards held?
The ceremony took place on March 8, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with global broadcast coverage reaching over 200 territories.
Which film won the most Oscars in 2026?
"Eclipse City" won the most awards with five Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Cinematography, Score, and Sound.
What was the biggest upset of the night?
Lila Chen's Best Actress win for "Glass Harbor" was widely considered the biggest upset, as she surpassed a heavily favored competitor with stronger precursor wins.
How are Oscar winners chosen?
Winners are selected through a voting process by Academy members, using ranked-choice voting for Best Picture and simple majority voting for most other categories.
Did any records get broken in 2026?
Yes, the 2026 Oscars recorded the highest voter participation rate in recent years and one of the most internationally diverse nominee pools in Academy history.