2026 BAFTAs Winners: ‘One Battle After Another’ Wins Best Film, Besting ‘Sinners’

NYT Homepage

by Alex Marshall

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The 2026 BAFTAs saw *One Battle After Another*, a comedy drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, take home the top honor for Best Film. This victory marked a significant win for the film, which also claimed six awards overall, including Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. The movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor, dominated the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall, beating out strong competition such as *Sinners*, *Hamnet*, *Marty Supreme*, and *Sentimental Value*. The awards season has been closely watched as a rivalry between *One Battle After Another* and *Sinners* unfolded. While *One Battle After Another* secured 14 BAFTA nominations, just one more than *Sinners*, it ultimately triumphed in the Best Film category. However, *Sinners* holds the edge heading into the Oscars with a record-breaking 16 nominations, three more than its competitor. Anderson’s win for Best Director was met with a memorable acceptance speech, where he celebrated the continued relevance of cinema and invited the audience to join him at the bar afterward. This year’s BAFTAs highlighted the shifting dynamics in the awards race, with *One Battle After Another* solidifying its place as a major contender. The film’s success underscores the enduring appeal of thought-provoking storytelling, while also sparking conversations about the state of modern cinema. As the Oscars approach, the battle between these two films—and their respective accolades—will likely continue to dominate entertainment news.

Verticals

newsgeneral

Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/22/2026