Award ceremony for films of 2025
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, United States. During the gala, the AMPAS will present Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 24 categories, honoring films released in 2025. The ceremony will be televised in the United States by ABC and streamed on Hulu.[1] Comedian Conan O’Brien is set to host the show for the second consecutive time after receiving universal acclaim for hosting the previous year, with Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan returning as executive producers for the third consecutive year.[1]
In related events, the Academy held its 16th Governors Awards ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom of the Ovation Hollywood complex in Hollywood on November 16, 2025.[2] The Academy Scientific and Technical Awards will be presented on April 28, 2026, in a ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.[3]
Beginning with this ceremony, the Academy will begin enforcing rules ensuring that all members have watched every nominated film in each category before voting in the final round.[4] This year, Best Casting will be presented as a new category, bringing the total number of competitive Oscar categories to 24.[5]
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 26, 2026 | Final voting begins |
| March 5, 2026 | Final voting ends |
| March 15, 2026 | Ceremony |
Winners and nominees
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The nominees for the 98th Academy Awards were announced on January 22, 2026, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, by actress Danielle Brooks and actor Lewis Pullman.[7][8]
Winners will be listed first and highlighted in boldface.[9]
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The Academy held its 16th annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 16, 2025, during which the following awards were presented:[2]
Academy Honorary Awards
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- Debbie Allen – “A trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres”.[10]
- Tom Cruise – For his “incredible commitment to [the] filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community”.[10]
- Wynn Thomas – “Production designer [who] has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft”.[10]
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
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- Dolly Parton – A “beloved performer [who] exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts”.[10]
Films with multiple nominations
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The 16 nominations received by Sinners is the highest amount received in history, beating the previous record shared by Titanic, All About Eve, and La La Land.[11]
Ceremony information
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In March 2025, the Academy hired television producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, for the third year in a row, to oversee production of the 2026 ceremony, with comedian and former talk show host Conan O’Brien as host of the event for the second consecutive year. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney, long-time collaborators of O’Brien, will also return as producers for a second time; Sweeney will also serve as a writer.[1] “We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff, and Mike for the 98th Oscars,” said AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer and AMPAS President Janet Yang in a press release. “[Last] year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”[1] In response, Kapoor and Mullan stated in a press release, “We are both so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars. We can’t wait to work with Conan and his entire team as we continue to explore even more special and heartfelt opportunities to celebrate next year’s nominees and the impact of film around the world.”[1]
Beginning with this ceremony, the AMPAS will present a new competitive award that will honor casting directors. The Academy Award for Best Casting is the first new Oscar category introduced since Best Animated Feature in 2001.[12] On February 8, 2024, the AMPAS announced the creation of the category, stating: “Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate.” Nominees will be determined by the Casting Directors Branch within the Academy, which was established in July 2013 and totaled nearly 160 members at the time of the award’s announcement.[12] A category to award achievement in casting had previously been rejected by the Academy in 1999.[13]
- ^ a b c d e Davis, Clayton (March 17, 2025). “Conan O’Brien to Return as Oscars Host for 98th Ceremony Set for March”. Variety. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ a b Thompson, Anne (November 17, 2025). “At the Governors Awards, Celebrating Tom Cruise While Reckoning with an Uncertain Future”. IndieWire. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ “2026 Scientific and Technical Awards Call for Submissions” (Press release). Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. June 12, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (April 22, 2025). “Oscars New Voting Rule Explained: How the Academy Plans to Enforce Mandatory Viewing”. Variety. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ “Academy Establishes Casting Award for 98th Oscars” (Press release). Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. February 8, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ “98th Oscars and Academy Key Dates” (Press release). Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Evans, Greg (January 15, 2026). “Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman to Announce 2026 Oscar Nominations Next Week”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Moreau, Jordan (January 22, 2026). “Oscar Nominations 2026”. Variety. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ “The 98th Academy Awards | (2026)”. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ a b c d “The Academy to Honor Debbie Allen, Tom Cruise, Dolly Parton, and Wynn Thomas at the 2025 Governors Awards” (Press release). Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. June 17, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Canfield, David (January 22, 2026). “‘Sinners’ Gets Most Oscar Nominations Ever”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ a b Hammond, Pete (February 8, 2024). “Motion Picture Academy Creates Casting Category, First New Competitive Oscar Since 2001”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Conradt, Stacy (February 18, 2010). “10 Bygone (or Rejected) Academy Awards Categories”. Mental Floss. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
Other resources
