The 98th Academy Awards: Everything You Need to Know!

The 98th Academy Awards, scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, are already shaping up to be a historic event for the global film community. As the industry prepares to honor the best films of 2025, the excitement has reached a fever pitch following the announcement of the official shortlists on December 16, 2025.

Key Dates and Venue

The ceremony will return to the iconic Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. To avoid overlap with the Winter Olympics, the Academy has maintained its mid-March schedule.

Milestone	Date
Shortlists Announced	December 16, 2025
Nominations Voting	January 12 – January 16, 2026
Nominations Announcement	Thursday, January 22, 2026
Final Winners Voting	February 26 – March 5, 2026
98th Oscars Ceremony	Sunday, March 15, 2026

 

Host and Historic New Categories

For the second consecutive year, Emmy-winning comedian Conan O’Brien will return to host Hollywood’s biggest night. His performance at the 97th Oscars led to a five-year ratings high, and the Academy is banking on his "warmth and irreverence" to keep the momentum going.

The Debut of "Best Casting":

The 98th Oscars will mark a historic milestone with the introduction of the Best Achievement in Casting category. This is the first new competitive category added to the Oscars since Best Animated Feature in 2001, finally recognizing the pivotal role casting directors play in filmmaking.

India's "Homebound" and the International Shortlist

A major headline of the 2026 season is the inclusion of India's official entry, Homebound, in the Best International Feature Film shortlist. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, the film is one of only 15 selected from 86 eligible countries.

Other Major Shortlisted Contenders:

• International Feature: The Secret Agent (Brazil), Kokuho (Japan), Sirāt (Spain), and The President's Cake (Iraq).
• Visual Effects: Blockbusters like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Frankenstein, and Superman are leading the charge.
• Casting Shortlist: Wicked: For Good, Sinners, and Hamnet have emerged as early favorites for the inaugural casting trophy.

Why the 98th Oscars Matter

With a mix of massive blockbusters and intimate indie dramas, the 98th Academy Awards are being hailed as a "return to form" for cinema. The inclusion of diverse stories like Homebound and the technical recognition of films like Sinners and Wicked suggest a balanced field of nominees.

As the countdown to January 22 begins, the question remains: will India finally bring home the gold for Best International Feature?