Save the date for Sunday, March 15, 2026! The 98th Academy Award Awards will begin at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, with comedian Conan O’Brien returning for his second-straight year as emcee. This year’s ceremony will honor extraordinary accomplishments in films that have their general theatrical release during all of 2025. In fact, 317 films are currently eligible for consideration!
Specifically, 201 feature films are competing for the coveted Best Picture award. These films are now past the first stage, onto the eligibility list. In December 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlists for the Oscars. These comprise 12 potential categories—animated short film, cinematography, documentary feature film, documentary short film, international feature film, live action short film, makeup & hairstyling, music (original score), music (original song), sound, visual effects, and casting.
In a significant move this year, casting directors will be honored for their role in film by receiving Oscars at the award ceremony for the first time. This new category is intended to shine a light on the critical role casting plays in all stories coming to life on screen.
The Academy Awards nominations voting period will end on January 21, 2026. Nominees will be revealed on Thursday, January 22. Tony Award-winners and actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman will announce the picks live during a special segment on Good Morning America.
Lewis Pullman, known for his roles in blockbuster films such as “Top Gun: Maverick” and Marvel’s “Thunderbolts,” recently attended the Los Angeles premiere of “The Testament of Ann Lee” on December 14, 2025. Danielle Brooks, a recent Oscar nominee, has garnered praise for her incredible turns in both “The Color Purple” and “Peacemaker.” She was seen on January 4, 2026 at 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards.
“Oh. What. Fun.” – Good Morning America
Oscar season has arrived, and the excitement is palpable! Fans and those who work in the film sector alike are excited for the announcement of official nominations and the awards presentation in March. The event promises to celebrate the best in cinema while honoring the dedicated individuals who contribute to the art of filmmaking.
