Oscars 2026: 98th Academy Awards to Celebrate Cinema Excellence on March 15
The 98th Academy Awards, a prestigious event honoring the finest cinematic achievements of 2025, is scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This ceremony promises to be a night filled with glamour, surprises, and unforgettable moments as the global film community gathers for the biggest night in cinema history.
Ceremony Schedule and Logistics
The festivities begin with a red-carpet preview at 6:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ABC and E!, offering early glimpses of high fashion and celebrity arrivals. Host Conan O'Brien takes the stage at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) to guide a three-hour broadcast packed with musical performances, heartfelt tributes, and award presentations. To ensure smooth operations, street closures around Hollywood Boulevard will be in effect from March 5 to March 18, with the MTA implementing adjustments near Ovation Hollywood to manage traffic and logistics.
Complete List of Nominees for Key Categories
The 98th Academy Awards feature a diverse array of nominees across major categories, highlighting the best films and performances of 2025.
- Best Picture: 'Bugonia', 'F1', 'Frankenstein', 'Hamnet', 'Marty Supreme', 'One Battle After Another', 'The Secret Agent', 'Sentimental Value', 'Sinners', 'Train Dreams'
- Best Director: Chloé Zhao for 'Hamnet', Paul Thomas Anderson for 'One Battle After Another', Ryan Coogler for 'Sinners', Joachim Trier for 'Sentimental Value', Josh Safdie for 'Marty Supreme'
- Best Actor (Leading Role): Timothée Chalamet for 'Marty Supreme', Leonardo DiCaprio for 'One Battle After Another', Ethan Hawke for 'Blue Moon', Michael B. Jordan for 'Sinners', Wagner Moura for 'The Secret Agent'
- Best Actress (Leading Role): Jessie Buckley for 'Hamnet', Rose Byrne for 'If I Had Legs I’d Kick You', Kate Hudson for 'Song Sung Blue', Renate Reinsve for 'Sentimental Value', Emma Stone for 'Bugonia'
Other notable categories include Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Animated Feature, Best International Feature Film, and technical awards like Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, and Best Sound. Short film categories feature entries such as 'Butterfly' for Animated Short and 'Butcher’s Stain' for Live Action Short.
Host and Presenters Lineup
Conan O'Brien returns as host, bringing his signature wit and humor, fresh from a successful stint in 2025. His appeal spans both younger audiences on platforms like TikTok and traditional viewers. Presenters include a mix of recent winners and industry icons, such as Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldaña, Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Chase Infiniti, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, and Maya Rudolph, ensuring dynamic banter and engaging moments throughout the ceremony.
Iconic Afterparty at LACMA
Post-ceremony, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party moves to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the David Geffen Galleries, marking a multiyear shift from Beverly Hills. Global Editorial Director Mark Guiducci praises the venue as ideal for Hollywood's blend of artistry, business, and technology. A red carpet livestream from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. PT on VanityFair.com and YouTube, hosted by Quenlin Blackwell, Jake Shane, and Brittany Broski, will feature celebrity interviews and fashion highlights. Inside, an invite-only guest list of Oscar winners, presenters, and host O'Brien will enjoy DJ sets, live performances, and upscale cuisine like black truffle lasagna and Thomas Keller chicken pot pie, with premium cocktails and late-night In-N-Out burgers, all in a camera-free environment for privacy.
Viewing Options and Additional Events
Viewers can stream the ceremony on ABC via Disney+ in select areas or attend the Academy Museum's Official Oscars Watch Party starting at 3 p.m., which includes live feeds, receptions, and photo opportunities for $125, with creative cocktail attire recommended. This event offers fans an immersive experience to celebrate cinema alongside industry insiders.
