Historic Moments from the 98th Academy Awards: A Night of Records and Firsts
A Night to Remember at the 98th Academy Awards
The 98th Academy Awards marked a significant milestone in Hollywood, introducing a new casting category and celebrating first-time wins for filmmakers like Ryan Coogler and Paul Thomas Anderson. This year's ceremony also featured a rare tie in the live-action short category, an occurrence that has only happened six times in Oscar history. Numerous records were shattered, showcasing remarkable achievements by both on-screen and behind-the-scenes talent. Here are some standout moments that will be remembered long after March 15, 2026.
1. Chloé Zhao's Historic Achievement
Chloé Zhao made history by directing two actresses to Oscar victories. Jessie Buckley, star of Hamnet, became the seventh woman-directed performance to win Best Actress. Zhao is the first female director to achieve this feat twice, having previously guided Frances McDormand to her second Oscar for Nomadland. Before Zhao, Yorgos Lanthimos directed Olivia Colman and Emma Stone to their respective wins.
2. A Record Night for Horror Films
This year's Oscars were a groundbreaking event for the horror genre, which has often been overlooked. For the first time, three horror films collectively won eight Oscars in a single night. Ryan Coogler's Sinners took home four awards, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein secured three, and Weapons earned one acting award for Amy Madigan. Previously, Silence of the Lambs held the record with five wins in 1992.
3. Paul Thomas Anderson's Unique Accomplishment
Paul Thomas Anderson achieved a remarkable milestone by winning three Oscars for One Battle After Another. He is the only filmmaker to have won prestigious awards at Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, in addition to his directing Oscar. His accolades include the Palme D'Or for Punch-Drunk Love in 2002 and two Golden Bears for Magnolia and There Will Be Blood, as well as a Golden Lion for The Master.
4. Ryan Coogler's Groundbreaking Win
Ryan Coogler made history by winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, becoming only the second Black filmmaker to achieve this honor after Jordan Peele. Notably, for the 15th consecutive year, the Best Original Screenplay winner was also the film's director.
5. Women Dominating Non-Gendered Categories
Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman and first woman of color to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for Sinners. Her victory signifies that women have now won in every non-gendered category, including Best Score, Best Director, and the newly introduced Best Casting.
6. Diane Warren's Unfortunate Record
Songwriter Diane Warren faced her 17th consecutive loss in the Best Original Song category when her song was overshadowed by the KPop hit Golden. This extended her record for the most losses without a win, although she received an Academy Honorary Award in 2022 for her contributions to music.
7. Timothée Chalamet's Oscar Struggles
Timothée Chalamet's track record at the Oscars has been disappointing, with his films often leaving empty-handed. His latest film, Marty Supreme, received nine nominations, while other projects like A Complete Unknown, Ladybird, and Don't Look Up also failed to secure any wins.
8. Leonardo DiCaprio: The Lucky Charm
Leonardo DiCaprio has proven to be a lucky charm for directors James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson, who all won their first directing Oscars for films featuring DiCaprio. He joins the ranks of Dustin Hoffman and Clark Gable as one of the few actors to lead three Best Picture winners.