STORY: The darkly comic thriller 'One Battle after Another' claimed the coveted Best Picture prize at the Oscars on Sunday (March 15), edging out the vampire tale Sinners in a closely contested race for the film industry's highest honor.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson accepted the award after Nicole Kidman announced 'One Battle after Another' as the winner.

Actor Teyana Taylor embraced Anderson before joining him on stage, where the cast and production team gathered to celebrate.

In his speech, Anderson thanked his ensemble cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Regina Hall, and Chase Infiniti, calling Infiniti "the heart of this movie."

Concluding with a touch of humor, Anderson quipped, "Let's have a martini," as Steven Spielberg and Maya Rudolph were seen standing and cheering in the audience.

The glitzy celebration, Hollywood's most over-the-top gala of the year, took place as the U.S. wages war on Iran.

The Academy took steps this year to try to ensure voters have actually watched the movies they are voting on.

The online balloting system for the first time tracks whether a voter has streamed each movie. Voters, however, can check a box to say they watched the movie elsewhere outside the Academy website.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: WINNER OF BEST PICTURE OSCAR ANNOUNCED AS 'ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER '/ DIRECTOR PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON ACCEPTING AWARD

SHOWS: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (MARCH 15, 2026) (A.M.P.A.S. - Broadcast:)

1. ACTOR NICOLE KIDMAN ANNOUNCING WINNER OF BEST PICTURE OSCAR, 'ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER'

2. GENERAL AUDIENCE / DIRECTOR PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON STANDING UP AND WALKING TOWARDS STAGE / ACTOR TEYANA TAYLOR HUGGING ANDERSON AND WALKING UP ON STAGE WITH HIM / WHOLE CAST AND TEAM GATHERING ON STAGE

3. VARIOUS OF MEMBERS IN AUDIENCE APPLAUDING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON, SAYING:

''I really blew it when I won a best director award and I forgot to thank my cast. Leo (Leonardo DiCaprio), Benicio (del Toro), Teyana (Taylor), Sean (Penn), Regina (Hall), and especially Chase (Infiniti), my American girl, Chase, you are the heart of this movie, this entire team. What a night. You guys, let's have a martini. This is pretty amazing, huh? Cheers. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.''

5. STEVEN SPIELBERG CHEERING IN AUDIENCE

6. MAYA RUDOLPH STANDING UP

7. GENERAL CAST AND TEAM ON STAGE