At a Glance
- Conan O’Brien will host the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026.
- The ceremony airs on ABC and streams on Hulu; from 2029 it will move to YouTube.
- A new category, Best Casting, has been added, and 201 movies are in contention for Best Picture, with 10 nominees.
The 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, 2026, will feature comedian and television host Conan O’Brien as the event’s presenter. The show will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, with a planned shift to YouTube beginning in 2029. The ceremony also introduces a new category, Best Casting, expanding the awards’ recognition of behind-the-scenes talent.
Conan O’Brien Returns to the Oscars
Conan O’Brien’s return to the Oscars follows his previous hosting stints in 2021 and 2023. His presence is expected to bring a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, as he has done in past ceremonies. The decision to bring him back was announced alongside the 2026 nomination schedule.
Nomination Process and New Category
The Academy announced that the nominations for the 98th Awards will be revealed on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET. Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman will present the nominees during the live broadcast. The nominations include a brand-new category, Best Casting, acknowledging the craft of selecting the right actors for each role.
A total of 201 movies are competing for Best Picture consideration. Only 10 will be selected as nominees, a process that reflects the Academy’s rigorous evaluation of storytelling, direction, and technical excellence.
Broadcast Details
The ceremony’s broadcast on ABC and Hulu follows the current partnership that began in 2021. Viewers will receive a live stream on Hulu, while the national broadcast will be available on ABC. Starting in 2029, the Academy plans to move the live event to YouTube, aiming to reach a broader online audience.
Nominee Highlights
Below is a concise summary of the nominees in key categories, as listed in the original announcement.
Best Actor
- Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
- Delroy Lindo – Sinners
- Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
- Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Best Actress
- Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
- Amy Madigan – Weapons
- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
- Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Actor
- Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
- Delroy Lindo – Sinners
- Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
- Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Best Supporting Actress
- Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
- Amy Madigan – Weapons
- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
- Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Best Director
Nominees for Best Director were announced but are not listed in the article.
Best Original Screenplay
Nominees for Best Original Screenplay were announced but are not listed in the article.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay were announced but are not listed in the article.
Best Animated Feature Film
Nominees for Best Animated Feature Film were announced but are not listed in the article.
Best International Feature Film
Nominees for Best International Feature Film were announced but are not listed in the article.
Best Casting
The new category, Best Casting, was announced with nominees, but the article does not list them.
Technical Categories
Nominees for Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Costume Design were announced but are not listed in the article.
Short Film and Documentary
Nominees for Best Animated Short Film, Best Live-Action Short Film, Best Documentary Feature Film, and Best Documentary Short were announced but are not listed in the article.
What to Expect
The 98th Academy Awards will showcase a mix of celebrated performances, groundbreaking technical achievements, and a fresh focus on casting. With Conan O’Brien at the helm, audiences can anticipate a blend of laughter and tribute. The ceremony’s move to YouTube in 2029 signals the Academy’s commitment to evolving its platform strategy.
Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely as the nominations reveal the film industry’s current priorities, especially with the introduction of Best Casting. The 201 movies in contention for Best Picture reflect a broad spectrum of storytelling, while the narrowing to 10 nominees underscores the Academy’s selective standards.
The event will be a pivotal moment for actors, directors, and all involved in the craft, as they compete for recognition across a wide range of categories. The live broadcast on ABC and Hulu will bring the ceremony into homes nationwide, ensuring that viewers can witness the celebration of cinematic excellence together.
Key takeaways include the return of Conan O’Brien, the new Best Casting category, the 201-film Best Picture pool, and the upcoming shift to YouTube. These elements combine to make the 98th Academy Awards a significant event for both the film community and audiences worldwide.
