'One Battle After Another' wins six prizes at Britain's BAFTA film awards

Politically charged action thriller takes top honors, while 'Sinners' and 'Frankenstein' also earn multiple awards

Feb. 22, 2026 at 8:13pm

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The politically charged action thriller 'One Battle After Another' won six prizes, including best picture, at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) in London. The vampire saga 'Sinners' and gothic horror story 'Frankenstein' each won three awards as well. Other notable winners included Paul Thomas Anderson for best director and Jessie Buckley for best actress for 'Hamnet'.

Why it matters

The BAFTAs are seen as a bellwether for the upcoming Academy Awards, providing clues about which films and performers may win Oscars. The politically-charged themes of many of the nominated films also reflect the influence of current events on the filmmaking industry.

The details

At the ceremony, 'One Battle After Another' won six awards, including best picture, best director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and best supporting actor for Sean Penn. 'Sinners' won three awards, including best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku and best original screenplay for Ryan Coogler. The gothic horror film 'Frankenstein' also earned three prizes, for production design, costume design, and hair and makeup.

  • The 2026 British Academy Film Awards ceremony took place on February 22, 2026.

The players

One Battle After Another

A politically charged action thriller film that won the BAFTA for best picture.

Sinners

A vampire saga that won three BAFTA awards, including best supporting actress and best original screenplay.

Frankenstein

A gothic horror story that won three BAFTA awards for production design, costume design, and hair and makeup.

Paul Thomas Anderson

The director of 'One Battle After Another', who won the BAFTA for best director.

Jessie Buckley

The actress who won the BAFTA for best actress for her performance in 'Hamnet'.

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What they’re saying

“Watching the films this year was like taking part in a collective nervous breakdown. It's almost as though there are events going on in the real world that are influencing filmmakers.”

— Alan Cumming, BAFTA Awards host (wral.com)

“We need more Mr. Nobodies.”

— David Borenstein, Director of 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin' (wral.com)

What’s next

The winners of the 2026 BAFTAs will provide insight into which films and performers may be favored to win at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

This year's BAFTA winners reflect the influence of current events and social issues on the filmmaking industry, with politically charged and socially conscious themes featured prominently among the top honorees. The BAFTAs continue to serve as an important precursor to the Oscars, offering clues about which films and performances may resonate most with global audiences.