The 98th annual Oscars premiered on Hulu and ABC on Sunday, March 15, allowing all the top notch films and acting performances from 2025 to receive their earned recognition.
The event was held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. This year’s lineup of movies made for a superb and tight race to win that golden statue.
With a record breaking 16 nominations, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” won 4 award, including Best Actor, Cinematography, Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score. The cast performed a song and a recreation of a scene from the film, which brought out ballet dancer Misty Copeland. Some noted the irony of this performance, given fellow nominee Timothee Chalamet’s recent controversial and negative comments regarding the art forms of ballet and opera. In an interview with Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet said “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera, or you know, things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive,’ even though it’s like, no one cares about those anymore.”
This topic was also joked about by the host of the evening, comedian and former late night TV host Conan O’Brien.
“Security is very tight tonight. There’s concerns about attacks from the ballet and opera communities,” O’Brien said. He then addressed Chalamet personally, saying, “They’re just mad you left out jazz.”
Political quips were also made, mocking the alternative halftime show given by Kid Rock. O’Brien warned that they could get political, and joked that there was an alternate Oscars being hosted at a Dave and Buster’s down the street.
Despite all of the jokes, O’Brien gave a heartfelt and serious statement regarding the state of our current world.
“Everyone watching right now around the world is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times. It’s at moments like these that I believe The Oscars are particularly resonant. 31 countries across six continents are represented this evening. And every film we salute is the product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty. We pay tribute tonight not just to film but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today, optimism.”
Best animated feature winners, the cast of K-Pop Demon Hunters, performed “GOLDEN,” their award-winning original song from the film.
Other major awards included Jessie Buckley winning Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work in the drama “Hamnet,” and Amy Madigan winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in the horror film “Weapons.” Furthermore, Best Supporting Actor went to Sean Penn for “One Battle After Another,” a film which took home 6 Oscars, including the grand title of overall Best Picture and Best Writing for an Adapted Screenplay.
The Oscars successfully wrapped up Hollywood film awards season, honoring the most impressive films from 2025.
