Hollywood is preparing for its biggest night of the year as the 98th Academy Awards arrive on March 15, bringing together the film industry’s brightest stars, most celebrated filmmakers, and a global audience eager to see who will take home the coveted gold statuette.
The ceremony will unfold at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where nominees from across the film industry will gather to celebrate achievements in cinema from the past year. Broadcast live on ABC and streaming on Hulu, the show begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time, with a red carpet preshow starting thirty minutes earlier as celebrities arrive in style.
Comedian Conan O’Brien returns as host, promising another evening of sharp humor and playful commentary that has become a staple of the modern Oscars broadcast. His presence is expected to add energy and unpredictability to a ceremony that blends tradition with entertainment.
This year’s awards recognize films released in 2025 across 24 categories, highlighting a wide range of storytelling styles, genres, and international voices. Leading the pack is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which has made Oscar history with 16 nominations. Close behind is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, earning 13 nominations and establishing itself as another major contender.
The Best Picture category reflects the diversity of contemporary filmmaking. Among the nominees are the gothic adaptation Frankenstein, the emotional drama Hamnet, the sports-centered Marty Supreme, and the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent. Other contenders include Train Dreams, Sentimental Value, Bugonia, F1, and the heavily nominated Sinners and One Battle After Another.
Beyond the competition itself, the ceremony will feature a long list of high-profile presenters. Actors such as Robert Downey Jr., Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas are expected to appear on stage throughout the evening to present awards and celebrate the industry’s accomplishments.
Before the main event begins, the red carpet will offer a spectacle of fashion and celebrity interviews. Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer will host the official preshow, speaking with nominees and guests as they arrive and setting the tone for the night’s celebration.
With its blend of cinematic prestige, star power, and live television excitement, the 2026 Oscars promise to deliver another memorable chapter in Hollywood’s long-standing awards tradition.