Highlights from the 98th Academy Awards: Winners and Insights

The 98th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrated the best films of 2025. This year's ceremony featured notable winners, including Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor and Jessie Buckley for Best Actress. While Oscar winners do not receive cash prizes, they gain significant career advantages and luxurious gift bags. The event was streamed for Indian audiences and broadcast in the U.S., showcasing the glamour and prestige of Hollywood's biggest night. Explore the full list of winners and the value of an Oscar trophy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 16, 2026, 19:44 IST

Celebrating the Oscars 2026

The prestigious 98th Academy Awards, commonly referred to as the Oscars 2026, unfolded at the renowned Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, uniting Hollywood to honor cinematic achievements from 2025. The event commenced at 4:00 PM local time on Sunday, March 15 (7:00 PM ET / 11:00 PM GMT). For audiences in India, the ceremony was available for streaming on JioHotstar and Star Movies on March 16, with an option for on-demand viewing later. In the U.S., the Oscars were broadcast on ABC and streamed via Hulu. Winning an Oscar is a significant milestone that can enhance an actor's salary and career prospects. But do the winners receive any monetary rewards? Let's explore.

Oscar Winners: Financial Rewards

What Do Oscar Winners Receive?

Typically, an Academy Award winner does not receive a cash prize. The Oscar trophy itself does not come with any financial reward from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Instead, winners and nominees present at the ceremony are gifted luxurious bags filled with high-end items and experiences. This year's gift bag reportedly includes stays at villas in Costa Rica, Ibiza, and the Arctic, along with premium cosmetic services such as ArtLipo body sculpting and Beverly Hills smile makeovers.

The Value of an Oscar

While Oscar winners do not receive cash, their market value increases significantly, leading filmmakers and producers to offer them better roles with higher pay. Additionally, they often secure lucrative brand sponsorships and endorsement deals worth millions.

Understanding the Worth of an Oscar

Owning an Oscar trophy enhances an actor's prestige. However, if a winner decides to part with their trophy, they must first offer it back to the Academy for $1, a rule established in 1951. If the Academy declines, the trophy can be sold publicly. The statuette, made of bronze and coated in 24-karat gold, costs between $400 and $1,000 to produce, depending on the current gold market value. Heirs of Academy Award winners can also inherit the statuette through gifts or bequests.

Oscar 2026 Winners

Who Took Home the Awards?

At the Oscars 2026, the film One Battle After Another dominated the night, winning six Academy Awards. Michael B. Jordan was awarded Best Actor for his role in Sinners, while Paul Thomas Anderson received the Best Director award for One Battle After Another. Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for the same film, and Jessie Buckley celebrated her first Oscar win as Best Actress for Hamnet.