Warner Bros. Dominates 2026 Oscars with 11 Wins Ahead of Paramount Skydance Acquisition

Prior to its impending acquisition by Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros. delivered a stunning performance at the 2026 Academy Awards, clinching 11 Oscars. The studio's success was largely propelled by Ryan Coogler's *Sinners* and Paul Thomas Anderson's *One Battle After Another*. Netflix also demonstrated a strong presence, earning seven Academy Awards, notably two for *KPop Demon Hunters* and three for Guillermo Del Toro's *Frankenstein*.

Collectively, streaming platforms secured a total of eight awards, though they missed out on the most prestigious categories. *Frankenstein* garnered accolades for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. *KPop Demon Hunters* was recognized with Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Netflix further expanded its tally with wins for *All The Empty Rooms* (Best Documentary Short Film) and *The Singers* (Best Live Action Short Film). Apple TV added to the streaming services' count with *F1* winning Best Sound.

Warner Bros. truly shone in the more highly-coveted categories. The studio claimed its first Best Picture Oscar since *Argo* in 2012, with *One Battle After Another* taking the top honor. Director Paul Thomas Anderson was also celebrated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for the same film, which also earned Sean Penn the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Ryan Coogler's *Sinners* secured several significant awards, including Best Cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw, marking a historic first win for a woman and woman of color in the category. Michael B. Jordan received the Best Actor award for his role in *Sinners*, and Coogler himself won for Best Original Screenplay.

Additional notable acting honors went to Jessie Buckley for Best Actress in *Hamnet* and Amy Madigan for Best Supporting Actress in *Weapons*.

Host Conan O'Brien lightheartedly quipped that it was likely Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos's "first time in a theater." The long-term impact of Paramount Skydance's successful bid for Warner Bros., surpassing Netflix, on the broader film industry remains an open question. Broadcast television, however, appears to be a clear casualty; the 2026 Oscars broadcast marks the third-to-last ceremony to air on Walt Disney's ABC, with YouTube slated to become the exclusive streaming home for the event starting in 2029.