The 2026 BAFTA Awards concluded Sunday, February 22nd, solidifying “One Battle After Another” as a frontrunner in the upcoming Oscar race. The film secured six wins, including accolades for Director Paul Thomas Anderson, Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture, marking a significant achievement for the filmmaker. This success follows a string of wins for the film at other major awards ceremonies, positioning it strongly for Oscar night, though “Oppenheimer” remains a formidable contender, having as well won at the BAFTAs.
While “One Battle After Another” dominated the evening, the awards also saw some unexpected results, particularly in the acting categories. Robert Aramayo’s win for Best Actor for his performance in Kirk Jones’ “I Swear” was a notable upset, beating out Oscar nominees Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, and Jesse Plemons. The win is particularly striking given that “I Swear” doesn’t open in the U.S. Until April 17th, despite premiering at the Toronto Film Festival last fall.
The BAFTA Awards often serve as a key indicator of potential Oscar success, but historically, the correlation isn’t perfect. Since 2000, only 10 out of 24 BAFTA Best Picture winners have gone on to win the Oscar, representing a 41% match rate. Despite this, betting markets currently favor “One Battle After Another” to break that trend.
Key Wins at the 2026 BAFTA Awards
Here’s a look at some of the major wins from the 2026 BAFTA Awards:
- Best Picture: “One Battle After Another”
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (“One Battle After Another”)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson (“One Battle After Another”)
- Best Actor: Robert Aramayo (“I Swear”)
- Best Film Not in the English Language: Details not provided in source material.
The awards ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, highlighted the best of British and international cinema. The wins for “One Battle After Another” underscore its critical acclaim and momentum heading into the final stretch of awards season. Deadline reports that Anderson personally took home three awards – for Director, Adapted Screenplay, and Picture.
Acting Races See Surprises
Robert Aramayo’s victory in the Best Actor category was arguably the biggest surprise of the night. His portrayal of a man with Tourette syndrome in “I Swear” resonated with voters, despite the film’s limited release thus far. Gold Derby notes that the BAFTAs have sometimes differed from the Oscars in their choices, citing Roma winning Best Film before Parasite took the Oscar.
What’s Next for Oscar Contenders?
With final Oscar voting just around the corner, the BAFTA results provide valuable insight into the preferences of industry voters. “One Battle After Another” has clearly established itself as a leading contender, but the possibility of an upset, as demonstrated by Aramayo’s win, remains. The Producers Guild and Actor Awards next weekend will offer further clues as to which films and performers have the strongest momentum.
The BAFTA Awards serve as a crucial stepping stone in the awards season calendar, and the outcomes will undoubtedly influence the final decisions made by the Academy. As the Oscars approach, all eyes will be on whether “One Battle After Another” can maintain its winning streak or if another film will emerge as the ultimate victor.
What are your thoughts on the BAFTA winners? Share your predictions for the Oscars in the comments below!
