LOS ANGELES — The 98th Academy Awards celebrated the best films of 2025 Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with “One Battle After Another” emerging as the night’s biggest winner.

The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, took home Best Picture, along with Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Casting, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. The sweeping victories highlighted the film’s strong critical reception and Anderson’s continued influence as one of Hollywood’s most respected directors.

Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his performance in “Sinners.” The win marks a major milestone in Jordan’s career and further solidifies his reputation as one of the leading actors of his generation.

In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley earned the award for her performance in “Hamnet.” Buckley’s portrayal in the historical drama was widely praised for its depth and emotional nuance, helping the film gain recognition across several categories.

Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for “Weapons,” with a powerful performance in a highly competitive category. Meanwhile, Sean Penn’s win for “One Battle After Another” added to the film’s dominance throughout the night.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for “Sinners,” becoming the first woman to win the award and recognized for her striking visual style and atmospheric lighting. “Frankenstein” also had a strong showing, winning Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design, emphasizing the film’s detailed world-building and visual craftsmanship.

Music also played a major role in the ceremony. Ludwig Göransson won Best Original Score for “Sinners,” continuing his streak of acclaimed film compositions. The award for Best Original Song went to “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” a high-energy track that helped the animated film stand out and gain popularity not only with its intended younger audience but with older generations as well.

The animated category also drew attention, with “KPop Demon Hunters” winning Best Animated Feature Film, reflecting the film’s popularity and creative storytelling. In the Animated Short Film category, “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” took home the award.

International cinema was also recognized, with Norway’s “Sentimental Value” winning Best International Feature Film, highlighting the film’s strong emotional narrative and global appeal.

In the documentary categories, “Mr. Nobody against Putin” won Best Documentary Feature, while “All the Empty Rooms” received the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film.

Among the technical achievements, “F1” won Best Sound, praised for its immersive racing sequences, while “Avatar: Fire and Ash” won Best Visual Effects, continuing the franchise’s reputation for groundbreaking visual technology.

For students interested in film and storytelling, the Oscars serve as a reminder of how collaboration across writing, acting, directing and technical craft brings films to life. This year’s ceremony highlighted both blockbuster productions and character-driven stories, showing the wide range of creativity within the film industry.