Building on his SAG Awards victory, Michael B. Jordan won the best actor Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards for his dual role in Ryan Coogler's *Sinners*. He advised fellow artists to 'dream big and be kind.' *Sinners* earned four wins in a competitive field.
At the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, Michael B. Jordan claimed the best actor prize for his standout dual role in Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler. This triumph followed his recent SAG best actor and ensemble wins, which had positioned the film as a frontrunner.
The race was tight, with early favorite Timothée Chalamet and Marty Supreme suffering a complete shutout despite nine nominations. Sinners secured four Oscars overall, while Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another led with six, including best picture. The Warner Bros. films tied the record for most wins by a studio in one night.
In his acceptance speech, Jordan urged artists: 'Dream big and be kind,' echoing a slogan associated with Marty Supreme. Host Conan O’Brien delivered memorable moments with jokes and seat-side snacks. Other highlights included a rare tie in live-action short film and Anderson addressing criticism of his film's portrayal of Black women.
This capped a season where precursor wins like SAG and PGA had foreshadowed intense competition.