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Entertainment | 98th Academy Awards: 'The Last Ascent' Wins Best Picture, Lead Acting Duo Honoured

Pankaj Mukherjee, Senior Technology Correspondent

Pankaj Mukherjee

Senior Technology Correspondent · AI, startups & MeitY policy

3 min read

Quick summary

The 98th Academy Awards concluded on , celebrating 'The Last Ascent' as Best Picture. Maya Sharma and David Chen were recognised with lead acting honours, marking a diverse night for cinematic achievements released in 2025.

LEDE PARAGRAPH

The 98th Academy Awards celebrated 'The Last Ascent' as Best Picture on , with Maya Sharma and David Chen earning lead acting honours for their roles in films released in 2025, according to the Academy. The ceremony highlighted a diverse array of cinematic victories.

WHAT IT IS / RELEASE DETAILS

The 98th Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, is an annual ceremony recognising excellence in cinematic achievements. This year, the event took place on , honouring films released in the calendar year 2025. 'The Last Ascent' was the night's biggest winner, taking home the coveted Best Picture award. Maya Sharma was celebrated as Best Actress, and David Chen received the Best Actor award, as officially announced by the Academy.

SUMMARY / THEMATIC HOOK

The victory of 'The Last Ascent' for Best Picture signifies a major recognition for the film within the global cinema landscape. The wins for Maya Sharma and David Chen in the lead acting categories further underscore the Academy's acknowledgement of compelling performances and diverse talent across the industry, reflecting the breadth of cinematic output from 2025.

RECEPTION / BOX OFFICE

Following its prestigious Best Picture win, 'The Last Ascent' experienced a significant spike in streaming viewership across major platforms, according to industry reports. Trade sources also indicated a notable increase in theatrical ticket sales, reaffirming the substantial impact of the Academy Awards on audience engagement and a film's commercial performance. Exact figures were not immediately available.

CONTEXT / BACKGROUND

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony itself garnered considerable attention. Comedian Chris Rock returned to host the event, delivering a critically acclaimed opening monologue that was praised for its pointed yet humorous address of recent industry shifts and celebration of cinematic achievements, as reported by media critics. The widespread recognition of 'The Last Ascent' and its subsequent commercial boost aligns with historical trends where Oscar wins often translate into renewed public interest.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The 98th Academy Awards, held on , saw 'The Last Ascent' win Best Picture.
  • Maya Sharma was named Best Actress, and David Chen received the Best Actor award.
  • The ceremony celebrated a diverse range of winners for films released in 2025.
  • Post-Oscars win, 'The Last Ascent' saw a significant surge in streaming and a boost in box office sales.
  • Chris Rock hosted the ceremony, delivering a critically praised opening monologue.

PEOPLE ALSO ASK

  • Who won Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards?

    'The Last Ascent' was awarded the prestigious Best Picture honour at the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, which took place on . This highly coveted award recognised the film as the outstanding cinematic achievement of 2025, as determined by the Academy.

  • Who were the lead acting winners at the 98th Oscars?

    Maya Sharma was celebrated with the Best Actress award, while David Chen took home the Best Actor award at the 98th Academy Awards. Both actors were recognised for their compelling performances in films released during the 2025 calendar year, according to official Academy announcements.

  • What impact did the Oscar win have on 'The Last Ascent'?

    Following its Best Picture victory, 'The Last Ascent' experienced a significant increase in streaming viewership across major platforms. Additionally, the film observed a notable boost in its theatrical ticket sales, indicating a strong positive correlation between an Academy Award win and renewed audience interest, as per industry observations.

  • When did the 98th Academy Awards take place?

    The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, honouring cinematic achievements from 2025, was held on . The event saw a gathering of Hollywood's elite to celebrate the best films, performances, and technical accomplishments of the year, culminating in the announcement of key winners.

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