The 2026 Oscar Awards marked a turning point for the global film industry, sparking a lively response among Spanish audiences. For the first time in many years, Paul Thomas Anderson received the recognition that both fans and critics had been anticipating. His film Una batalla tras otra won six awards, including top categories, shifting the balance of power in Hollywood and highlighting the growing impact of European cinema on the world stage.
For Spain, this ceremony prompted reflection on the future of national cinema. Despite high expectations, Sirat by Oliver Laxe did not receive a single award, sparking discussion among industry professionals and audiences alike. The victory of the Norwegian film Valor sentimental in the Best International Feature category showed that competition is becoming fiercer and that unexpected outcomes are increasingly the norm.
Triumph and disappointment
Una batalla tras otra not only brought Paul Thomas Anderson long-awaited success but also set a new standard for filmmakers who had remained in the background for years. Its six awards—including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, Best Editing, and Best Casting—became a symbol of change in the industry. According to RUSSPAIN, this achievement may influence the themes and approaches of future projects by European directors.
Meanwhile, Los pecadores by Ryan Coogler surprised industry experts by taking four prestigious awards. Michael B. Jordan was named Best Actor, and Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win an Oscar for cinematography. This event is already being called historic for the entire industry.
Spanish presence and new records
Despite multiple nominations, Spain’s Sirat left the Oscars empty-handed, a surprise to many. In the Best International Feature category, Norway’s Valor sentimental took the prize, while Sean Penn, who did not attend the ceremony, won Best Supporting Actor ahead of Stellan Skarsgard. This outcome sparked lively debates across Spanish media and social networks.
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for Hamnet, with Amy Madigan named Best Supporting Actress for Weapons. In the technical categories, F1: La película stood out for Best Sound, Frankenstein won for Best Production Design, and Las guerreras k-pop took Best Original Song for the track Golden.
Emotion and remembrance
The In Memoriam segment drew special attention, with heartfelt tributes to stars who passed away—Val Kilmer, Catherine O’Hara, and Robert Duvall. The remembrance chronicle was accompanied by appearances from Rob Reiner, Robert Redford, and Diane Keaton, which added a unique atmosphere to the ceremony. On the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre, anticipation and excitement ran high, while performances and speeches—including an anti-war message from Javier Bardem—made the evening unforgettable.
This year’s Oscar ceremony once again demonstrated that cinema remains a powerful tool for discussing important issues and reflecting societal change. Triumphs and disappointments, new records, and some unexpected decisions by the Academy are shaping the cultural agenda not only for the United States but also for Europe, including Spain.
In recent years, the Oscar ceremonies have often become a stage for major headlines. In 2024, a Spanish film was also in the running for the international award but lost to a competitor from South Korea. In 2025, an independent project from France drew attention with its victory, surprising many analysts. These events highlight that the competition for Oscar recognition is growing increasingly intense, and the success of European films is not accidental, but the result of years of hard work and bold decisions.
