The 98th Academy Awards, celebrating the best films of 2025, will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. One of the most anticipated nights in global cinema, the Oscars bring together some of the biggest names in the film industry for an evening filled with awards, performances and memorable moments.
Fans across the world eagerly watch the ceremony each year, not only for the winners but also for the glamour of the red carpet and the excitement surrounding the nominations.
Ceremony schedule and red carpet coverage
The Oscars night will begin with a red carpet preview at 6.30 pm ET, broadcast on ABC and E!. This segment traditionally showcases celebrity arrivals, fashion highlights, and interviews with nominees and presenters.
The main ceremony will start at 7 pm ET (4 pm PT) and is expected to run for about three hours. The broadcast will include musical performances, tributes to cinema, and the presentation of awards across multiple categories.
Preparations for the event have already affected parts of Hollywood. Street closures around Hollywood Boulevard began on March 5 and will continue until March 18 to accommodate the event setup. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Metro (MTA) has also made adjustments around Ovation Hollywood to manage crowds and traffic.
This year's ceremony will once again be hosted by Conan O'Brien, who returns after hosting the Oscars in 2025. Known for his sharp humour and distinctive style, O’Brien brings a mix of comedy and appreciation for cinema to the stage.
His previous monologue drew attention for its humorous take on the nominees while still acknowledging the significance of the films and performances being honoured. Organisers expect his return to appeal to both younger audiences and long-time viewers.
Star presenters for the evening
Several well-known actors and previous Oscar winners will take the stage as presenters during the ceremony.
Among them are Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, Mikey Madison, and Zoe Saldana, who return following their wins at the 2025 Oscars. Other presenters include Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Chase Infiniti, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, and Maya Rudolph.
Their appearances are expected to add humour and star power to the ceremony, especially during the presentation of the major categories.
Best Picture nominees
Ten films have been nominated for Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards:
Bugonia
F1
Frankenstein
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Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
The Secret Agent
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Train Dreams
Key acting and directing nominations
Best Director
Chloe Zhao — Hamnet
Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
Ryan Coogler — Sinners
Joachim Trier — Sentimental Value
Josh Safdie — Marty Supreme
Best Actor (Leading Role)
Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme
Leonardo DiCaprio — One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke — Blue Moon
Michael B. Jordan — Sinners
Wagner Moura — The Secret Agent
Best Actress (Leading Role)
Jessie Buckley — Hamnet
Rose Byrne — If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
Kate Hudson — Song Sung Blue
Renate Reinsve — Sentimental Value
Emma Stone — Bugonia
Best Supporting Actor
Benicio del Toro — One Battle After Another
Jacob Elordi — Frankenstein
Delroy Lindo — Sinners
Sean Penn — One Battle After Another
Stellan Skarsgard — 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 Animated Feature
Arco
Elio
KPop Demon Hunters
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Little Amelie or the Character of Rain
Zootopia 2
Best International Feature Film
The Secret Agent — Brazil
It Was Just an Accident — France
Sentimental Value — Norway
Sirat — Spain
The Voice of Hind Rajab — Tunisia
Additional technical and creative awards include categories such as Film Editing, Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Original Song, Sound, Animated Short Film, and Live Action Short Film.
Vanity Fair Oscar Party moves to LACMA
After the ceremony, the celebrations will continue with the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which this year will take place at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the David Geffen Galleries.
This marks a shift from its previous Beverly Hills venue. The red carpet for the afterparty will be livestreamed from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm PT on VanityFair.com and YouTube, hosted by Quenlin Blackwell, Jake Shane, and Brittany Broski.
Inside the event, cameras are not allowed to ensure privacy. Guests will enjoy live music, DJ performances, and food including black truffle lasagna, Thomas Keller chicken pot pie, and late-night In-N-Out.
Where to watch the Oscars
Viewers can watch the ceremony on ABC, while streaming will also be available on Disney+ in select regions.
The Academy Museum will also host an Official Oscars Watch Party starting at 3 pm, offering live feeds, receptions, and photo opportunities for guests attending the event.
