Oscars 2026: Key Nominees, Host Conan O’Brien, Performers and What to Expect

The Oscars 2026 are almost here, and this year's ceremony is shaping up to be one for the history books. From Ryan Coogler's Sinners shattering nomination records to the debut of a brand-new Best Casting category, the 98th Academy Awards promises high drama, landmark moments, and a celebration of cinema at its most ambitious. 

Here's everything you need to know.

When and Where Are the Oscars 2026 Being Held?

The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles. The ceremony will be televised live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and streamed live on Hulu, airing across more than 200 territories worldwide. The ceremony is expected to run approximately three to four hours, with the red carpet arrivals beginning several hours before the 7 p.m. ET start.

Which Film Leads the Oscar Nominations 2026?

Sinners leads all Oscar nominations 2026 with sixteen nods, the most in Oscar history, surpassing the previous record of fourteen shared by All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1998), and La La Land (2017). Close behind are One Battle After Another with 13 nominations, and Marty Supreme, Frankenstein, and Sentimental Value with nine each.

Who Are the Key Nominees in the Major Categories?

The Best Picture race at Oscars 2026 features ten Oscars 2026 nominees, with Sinners, Hamnet, and One Battle After Another considered the strongest contenders. In Best Actor, Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme) and Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) lead the conversation among five nominees. 

The Best Actress race is headlined by Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) and Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), with Emma Stone (Bugonia) also in the mix.

What Is the New Best Casting Category and Why Does It Matter?

The Academy Award for Best Casting makes its debut this year, the first new Oscar category since Best Animated Feature in 2001. The Academy noted that casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, acknowledging a craft overlooked for decades despite a similar proposal being rejected as far back as 1999. The addition brings the total number of competitive categories at the 98th Academy Awards to 24.

What Are the New Voting Rules and Why Do They Matter?

For the first time at the Oscars 2026, all active Academy members must confirm they have viewed every nominated film in a category before casting their final vote, or otherwise abstain. The Academy will monitor viewing activity through its Academy Screening Room streaming platform, addressing long-standing concerns about uninformed ballots in tightly contested categories.

What Is Planned for the In Memoriam Segment?

This year's "In Memoriam" segment will run longer than usual, with the Academy acknowledging it as a particularly difficult year of losses for the industry. A dedicated tribute is planned for director Rob Reiner, best known for beloved classics When Harry Met Sally... and A Few Good Men, who passed away in December 2025. Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan are overseeing the segment personally.

Who Is Hosting and What Is Planned for the Night?

Conan O'Brien returns as host for a second consecutive year. The ceremony carries the theme of "humanity," with performances from Miles Caton, Raphael Saadiq, Shaboozey, and Brittany Howard, among others. Presenters include Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anne Hathaway, Pedro Pascal, and Robert Downey Jr., with a Bridesmaids cast reunion also confirmed.

How Can Indian Audiences Watch the Oscars 2026 Live?

Indian viewers can catch the Oscars 2026 live on March 16 at 4:30 a.m. IST on JioHotstar, Star Movies, Star Movies Select, and Colors Infinity. A repeat telecast will also air at 9 p.m. the same day. With Sinners leading all Oscars 2026 nominees in the running, the first-ever Best Casting award up for grabs, and a reformed voting process now in effect, the stakes heading into ceremony night are higher than they have been in years.

(With inputs from yMedia)