BAFTA winners revealed: ‘One Battle After Another’ dominates with 6

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Anderson’s Masterclass Sweeps Six Major Categories
• Supporting Wins and Major Surprises
• Historic Victories and Award Firsts
• Five Key Takeaways From London’s Biggest Night
• Which Film Will Dominate the Oscars After These Historic BAFTA Wins?
  • Sources

One Battle After Another dominated the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards on February 22, winning an impressive six honors at the ceremony in London. Paul Thomas Anderson‘s film claimed the night’s top prize, marking a landslide victory entering the final stretch before the Oscars.

Anderson’s Masterclass Sweeps Six Major Categories

Paul Thomas Anderson‘s counterculture comedy about a washed-up revolutionary protecting his daughter proved unstoppable on Sunday night. The film won Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Anderson accepted the directing award, paying tribute to longtime producer Adam Somner, who passed away in 2024 during production. The director quoted Nina Simone, saying, “Anybody who says movies aren’t good anymore can piss right off.”

Nominated for a record-tying 14 BAFTA awards, One Battle After Another entered as the heavy favorite. The film starred Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Chase Infiniti, and Teyana Taylor across its sprawling ensemble cast. Its awards season momentum continues building with Oscar nominations expected next month.

Supporting Wins and Major Surprises

Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his chilling role as military villain Colonel Steven J Lockjaw, though he was absent from the ceremony. Wunmi Mosaku claimed Best Supporting Actress for her haunting performance in Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller Sinners, which earned three total awards including Original Screenplay and Original Score. Mosaku delivered an emotional acceptance speech, saying she found “ancestral power and connection” in her character. The casting award for I Swear rounded out major supporting victories, celebrating the film’s discoveries across the night.

Category	Winner	Film
Best Film	Paul Thomas Anderson (Producer)	One Battle After Another
Best Director	Paul Thomas Anderson	One Battle After Another
Best Leading Actor	Robert Aramayo	I Swear
Best Leading Actress	Jessie Buckley	Hamnet
Best Supporting Actor	Sean Penn	One Battle After Another

Historic Victories and Award Firsts

Jessie Buckley won Best Leading Actress for her raw, intimate portrayal of Agnes Hathaway in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, making her the first Irish performer to achieve this honor. Buckley is now a major contender for the March Oscars. Robert Aramayo pulled off a stunning upset in the Best Actor category, beating favorites Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in the British Tourette Syndrome biopic I Swear. Aramayo also won the EE Rising Star Award, voted entirely by the public. “I can’t believe I’m stood here,” the clearly shocked actor said through tears.

Ryan Coogler made history as the first Black director to win Best Original Screenplay, writing Sinners and securing his vampire thriller three BAFTA victories. His dialogue about community and writing from the heart moved the audience deeply.

“I know what freedom is, it’s no fear. Let’s keep making things without fear.”

— Paul Thomas Anderson, Director and Best Director Winner

Five Key Takeaways From London’s Biggest Night

The 2026 BAFTA Awards revealed several major shifts in the awards season conversation. One Battle After Another cemented itself as the Oscar frontrunner with a commanding six-win performance, while Hamnet’s two victories, including its Outstanding British Film award, strengthened Jessie Buckley’s position as an Academy Awards contender. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners surprised with consistent wins across multiple categories, proving genre films can compete at the highest level. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein claimed three technical awards for costume, makeup, and production design. The ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming at the Royal Festival Hall, addressed global crises, with multiple winners speaking about their commitment to truth and storytelling during turbulent times.

Producer Sara Murphy and Adam Somner accepted the Best Film award alongside Paul Thomas Anderson. Cumming’s opening monologue directly referenced world events: “Whatever happened to escapism? It’s almost as though…there are events going on in the real world influencing filmmakers,” he told the audience. The ceremony included performances by KPop Demon Hunters and a touching In Memoriam segment where Jessie Ware performed “The Way We Were.”>

Which Film Will Dominate the Oscars After These Historic BAFTA Wins?

With One Battle After Another now holding six BAFTA awards, industry insiders believe Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece enters the Oscar race as the film to beat. The Academy traditionally respects BAFTA winners, especially in directing and cinematography where One Battle After Another triumphed. However, Hamnet’s success with Jessie Buckley and international recognition from France and Norway suggests competition remains fierce. The Oscars ceremony takes place in March, and February 22 marks a pivotal moment where taste-makers have spoken.

Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter – Comprehensive BAFTA winners list and ceremony coverage from London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026
• The Guardian – In-depth analysis of One Battle After Another’s dominance, Robert Aramayo’s upset victory, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s touching tribute to Adam Somner
• BAFTA Official Press Release – Official announcement of all 2026 BAFTA Film Awards winners, including historic firsts and major category victories