Oscars 2026: Which Studios Swept the Board with the Most Wins?

In a night brimming with glamour, surprises, and the unmistakable thrill of cinematic triumph, the 98th Academy Awards unfolded at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on 8 March 2026. As the envelopes were torn open and speeches echoed through the hall, one question dominated post-ceremony chatter: which studios emerged as the undisputed kings of Hollywood’s most prestigious event? While indie darlings and streaming giants made headlines, it was the major studios that flexed their muscle, with Warner Bros. Discovery leading the pack by clinching 12 awards, followed closely by Disney’s 10. This year’s haul underscores a seismic shift in Oscar dynamics, where blockbuster innovation met prestige storytelling head-on.

The ceremony, hosted by the ever-charismatic John Mulaney, celebrated the finest films of 2025—a year marked by tentpole spectacles like James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash and James Gunn’s Superman, alongside intimate dramas such as Luca Guadagnino’s Marty Supreme and Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia. Yet, amid the razzle-dazzle, studios’ strategic slates proved decisive. Warner Bros. not only topped the tally but shattered expectations by dominating technical categories while securing acting nods. Disney, leveraging its Marvel and Searchlight banners, delivered a balanced assault. Universal and Paramount trailed with eight and seven wins respectively, signalling that traditional powerhouses are adapting to an era of franchise fatigue and awards-season savvy.

Viewership spiked to 22 million, buoyed by viral moments like Robert Downey Jr.’s emotional Best Supporting Actor win for Reacher: Season 3 (Paramount+ adaptation) and the standing ovation for Superman‘s score. But beyond the memes, the studio scoreboard reveals deeper industry currents: a renaissance for mid-budget films, the enduring appeal of IP reboots, and the blurring lines between commercial hits and critical darlings.

The Final Tally: Studios Ranked by Oscar Wins

To grasp the full scope, consider the raw numbers. The Academy handed out 23 competitive awards across categories from Best Picture to Best Visual Effects. Warner Bros. Discovery amassed an astonishing 12, eclipsing their previous high from 2004’s Million Dollar Baby era. Disney followed with 10, Universal notched eight, and A24 surprised with six—punching above their weight in a field often skewed towards behemoths.

• Warner Bros. Discovery: 12 wins (including Best Picture, Best Director, three acting awards)
• Disney (incl. Searchlight & 20th Century): 10 wins (dominating animation and technicals)
• Universal Pictures: 8 wins (strong in adapted screenplay and sound)
• A24: 6 wins (sweeping originals and supporting categories)
• Paramount Pictures: 7 wins (led by acting and production design)
• Neon & Others: 5 combined (indie highlights)

This distribution marks a departure from recent years, where streamers like Netflix hovered near the top. In 2025, Netflix managed just four nods converted to wins, hampered by voter fatigue over algorithmic content. Warner’s haul, by contrast, stemmed from a diverse portfolio: the DC reboot Superman (five wins), prestige biopic Marty Supreme (four), and horror-thriller The Monkey (three). As Variety reported post-ceremony, “Warner Bros. has reclaimed the throne through sheer volume and quality control.”^[1]

Warner Bros. Discovery: The Comeback Kings

Warner Bros.’ dominance was no fluke. Under CEO David Zaslav’s refocused strategy post-2022 mergers, the studio prioritised theatrical releases and awards-friendly narratives. Superman, directed by James Gunn, grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide yet earned 14 nominations, winning Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score by Junkie XL. David Corenswet’s transformative portrayal as the Man of Steel snagged Best Actor, outduelling Timothée Chalamet in Dune: Messiah.

Equally pivotal was Marty Supreme, Guadagnino’s table tennis biopic starring Zendaya and Joshua O’Connor. It claimed Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Zendaya—her second after Challengers. The film’s intimate portrayal of immigrant ambition resonated, echoing King Richard‘s 2022 success. Warner’s third pillar, Stephen Graham’s The Monkey (a Stephen King adaptation), secured Best Adapted Screenplay and two technicals, blending genre thrills with emotional depth.

Analysts credit Warner’s internal data analytics for greenlighting winners. “We bet on directors with proven Oscar pedigrees,” a studio exec told The Hollywood Reporter. This approach yielded a 40% win rate from nominations, far surpassing the industry average of 25%.^[2]

Key Wins for Warner Bros.

1. Best Picture: Marty Supreme
2. Best Director: Luca Guadagnino (Marty Supreme)
3. Best Actor: David Corenswet (Superman)
4. Best Actress: Zendaya (Marty Supreme)
5. Best Visual Effects: Superman

Disney’s Multi-Pronged Assault

Disney’s 10 wins showcased their ecosystem mastery. Pixar’s Elio swept animation with Best Animated Feature, while Searchlight’s A Real Pain (Kieran Culkin’s directorial debut) nabbed Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Bean. The juggernaut Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios) dominated technicals: Best Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup—validating Cameron’s Pandora expansion at $2.3 billion box office.

Marvel contributed via Fantastic Four: First Steps, winning Best Film Editing and Sound, though snubbed for Picture. Disney’s strategy—funnelling IP into prestige pipelines—paid dividends. As Deadline noted, “Disney’s wins affirm that family-friendly epics can evolve into awards contenders.”^[3] Their tally included crossovers like Mufasa: The Lion King’s score nod, blending nostalgia with innovation.

Universal and Paramount: Solid Contenders

Universal’s eight awards highlighted musicals and actioners. Wicked: Part Two triumphed with Best Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Defying Limits”), and Production Design, capitalising on Part One’s momentum. Jurassic World: Rebirth added Visual Effects and Sound, proving dinosaurs still roar at the Oscars.

Paramount’s seven wins leaned on star power: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning for stunts-adjacent categories like Editing and Sound, plus A Quiet Place: Day One prequel’s supporting nods. Their adaptation of Reacher surprised with Downey Jr.’s win, bridging TV prestige to film awards.

Indie Upsets: A24 and Neon Shine Bright

In a landscape of giants, A24’s six wins for Civil War sequel Liberty Falls and Heretic

follow-up signalled genre’s awards ascent. Best Documentary for No Other Land and supporting categories underscored their knack for eclectic picks. Neon’s Presence (from Hereditary director Ari Aster) grabbed Best Cinematography, affirming boutique studios’ influence.