Nine Variety Actors on Actors, Cover, Podcast Subjects Win Oscars

“One Battle After Another” was the big winner at the 2026 Academy Awards, picking up six Oscars, with “Sinners” close behind with four — making it a huge night for Warner Bros., the studio behind both films. But it was also a big night for Variety, the authoritative media outlet covering all things Oscar, from the stars and the wins to the filmmaking talent that took home gold at the ceremony Sunday evening. Some of the the night’s biggest winners were featured in Variety‘s signature Actors on Actors series, guested on the Awards Circuit podcast, appeared on the magazine cover and took part in the crafts-focused Inside the Frame video series. Revisit the coverage below.

Actors on Actors

Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”), best actor: Michael B. Jordan and Jesse Plemons Reunite 14 Years After ‘Friday Night Lights’ to Discuss ‘Sinners,’ ‘Bugonia’ and Why Their Show ‘Felt Like Anarchy’

Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”), best actress: ‘I Was Wrecked by the End of It’: Colin Farrell and Jessie Buckley on the ‘Beautiful Difficulty’ of Acting Out Grief and Addiction on Screen

Sean Penn (“One Battle After Another”), best supporting actor: Julia Roberts and Sean Penn Bond Over Paul Thomas Anderson, Luca Guadagnino and ‘Cancel Culture’: ‘Shame Is Underrated These Days’

Variety Covers

“Frankenstein,” best production design, best costume design, best makeup and hairstyling: Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac on Netflix’s $120 Million ‘Frankenstein’ Gamble: 10 Hours in Makeup, a Misunderstood Monster and Why It’s Not a Horror Movie

“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” best song: The Women of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ on Overcoming Rejection, ‘Golden’s’ Success and Breaking Boundaries for Korean Culture: ‘Drop the K. It’s No More’

“F1,” best sound: Tim Cook Reveals Apple’s Vision for Movies and TV: Why Spending Millions on Blockbusters Like ‘F1’ Is About More Than Selling iPhones

Awards Circuit Podcast

Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”), best actor: Michael B. Jordan on Why ‘Sinners’ Was the ‘Second Hardest Thing’ He’s Ever Done and Teasing ‘Thomas Crown Affair’ and ‘Creed 4’

Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”), best actress: Jessie Buckley on Why ‘Hamnet’ Isn’t ‘Grief Porn’ and How She and Paul Mescal Channel Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes

Amy Madigan (“Weapons”), best supporting actress: Amy Madigan on Falling in Love With Aunt Gladys in ‘Weapons,’ Becoming Wagner Moura’s Smoking Buddy and Cranking Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show to 11

Ryan Coogler (“Sinners”), best original screenplay: Ryan Coogler on ‘Sinners,’ Making Oscars History and the Weight of the Moment: ‘My Award Is the Opportunity to Have This Job’

Autumn Durald Arkapaw (“Sinners”), best cinematography: ‘Sinners’ Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw on Filming Buddy Guy’s Cameo, Her Favorite Shot and Shares an Update on Reuniting With Ryan Coogler for ‘The X-Files’

Inside the Frame

Autumn Durald Arkapaw (“Sinners”), best cinematography: ‘Sinners’ Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw on Shooting Jack O’Connell’s Grand Entrance During Magic Hour and Filming on Ultra Panavision 65mm Film