The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, held on March 15, 2026, delivered a night of notable wins for streaming giant Netflix. ' Sean Penn did not attend the ceremony, though the reason for his absence remains unknown. ' Matt Berry, known for roles in 'The IT Crowd' and 'What We Do In The Shadows,' served as the announcer for the ceremony.
According to sources, Matt Berry announced from a UK studio. Host Conan O'Brien introduced Matt Berry as the announcer. Sources report that fans praised Matt Berry's performance as announcer on social media, with some fans suggesting Matt Berry should announce all awards shows.
However, specific social media posts or fan reactions praising Matt Berry's performance have not been detailed. US fans were less likely to know Matt Berry, adding an element of novelty to his selection. The ceremony saw significant wins for Netflix productions.
'KPop Demon Hunters,' a Netflix film, won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. Another Netflix film, 'Gullermo del Toro's Frankenstein,' won the Oscar for Best Costume Design, with Kate Hawley accepting the award. The same film also won the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, accepted by Jordan Samuel, Mike Hill, and Cliona Furey.
' 'The Girl Who Cried Pearls' won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. ' The context or reason for this tie has not been disclosed. ' How this new category was introduced or decided upon is not specified in available reports.
The identity of other nominees in the categories where winners were announced remains unknown, limiting a full competitive context. Matt Berry's role as announcer became a standout feature, with fan enthusiasm suggesting he could become a fixture for future awards shows. His performance, coupled with the wins for Netflix and historic moments like the tie and first casting award, defined an Oscars night that reflected evolving industry trends.
The event highlighted the growing influence of streaming services in Hollywood, as Netflix secured multiple awards across categories. The historic tie in the Best Live-Action Short Film category added an element of surprise, though details on the voting process or criteria leading to the tie are not available. The introduction of the Best Casting award marked a significant expansion of the Oscars' recognition of filmmaking crafts, though the selection process for this category remains unclear.
Overall, the ceremony blended traditional accolades with innovative elements, setting a precedent for future broadcasts.