98th Academy Awards: Everything to Know About Oscars 2026

The countdown has begun for the 98th Academy Awards, which will celebrate the best films of the past year. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, United States.

Ahead of the awards night, nominees gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the annual Oscars luncheon on February 10, where filmmakers and actors met, exchanged congratulations, and took their official class photo.

Key Contenders for Best Picture

Several films are considered strong contenders this year, including:

• Sinners
• Marty Supreme
• Hamnet
• One Battle After Another
• Sentimental Value

Director Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners received loud applause during the nominees’ luncheon. The film features Michael B. Jordan playing twin brothers in 1930s Mississippi, earning him his first Oscar nomination.

Meanwhile, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another has gained strong momentum after he won the Directors Guild of America Award, raising expectations that he could secure his first Oscar for Best Director.

Notable Milestones

The 2026 Oscars include several historic moments:

• Timothée Chalamet became the youngest actor since Marlon Brando to receive three acting nominations, achieving the milestone at age 30 for Marty Supreme.
• Chloé Zhao became only the second woman ever to earn two Best Director nominations and the first woman of colour to achieve this.
• Ruth E. Carter received her sixth nomination for Best Costume Design, making her the most nominated Black woman in any Oscar category.
• Actress Amy Madigan earned a nomination for Weapons, 40 years after her first nomination for Twice in a Lifetime in 1985.

New Category Introduced

The Academy has introduced Best Casting, the 24th competitive category, recognising the crucial role casting directors play in filmmaking.

Host and Presenters

The ceremony will be hosted by comedian and TV personality Conan O’Brien for the second consecutive year.

Presenters confirmed for the event include:

• Robert Downey Jr.
• Anne Hathaway
• Priyanka Chopra Jonas
• Will Arnett
• Paul Mescal
• Gwyneth Paltrow

Additional presenters expected at the ceremony include Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Demi Moore, and Maya Rudolph.

How to Watch

The Oscars will air live on ABC at 7 p.m. ET on March 15, and viewers can also stream the ceremony live through Hulu.

With several major films and historic nominations in the mix, the 2026 Oscars are shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years. 🎬🏆