Oscars 2026: The Academy Awards 98th countdown is underway and the entire film fraternity in the world is gearing up to one of the most awaited nights in the world of movies. The Oscars are presented by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences every year and are awarded to the best works in movie production.
The 2026 awards celebrate the films released in 2025 in 24 categories that celebrate performances, narrative and technical genius. Awards have been made already this year and are already creating a buzz in Hollywood and other parts of the world thanks to record-breaking nominations and other new milestones in the industry. The excitement to the Indian audiences is accompanied by an early morning viewing schedule, but the red carpet glamor and the rush of announcements makes it worth waking up early.
Oscars 2026: When Will The Oscars 2026 Take Place?
The 98th Academy Award will be conducted on March 15, 2026 at the iconic Dolby Theatre which has long been the venue of the event because of the time difference between the United States and India, viewers in India will get to see the event in the early morning of the 16th of March 2026.
India broadcast schedule:
- 4:30 AM IST: Red carpet coverage begins
- After 5:30 AM IST (approx): Main awards ceremony starts
The red carpet segment traditionally attracts millions of viewers worldwide, offering a first look at celebrity fashion and interviews before the awards presentation begins.
Oscars 2026: Where To Watch The Oscars 2026 In India
Indian viewers have both television and streaming options to follow the ceremony live.
- Live streaming: JioHotstar from 4:30 AM IST
- TV broadcast: Star Movies
Both platforms will air complete coverage including:
- Red carpet arrivals
- Celebrity interviews
- The full awards ceremony
Oscars 2026: The Complete Awards Ceremony
The event will celebrate movie successes in films that will have been released in 2025. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gives awards in different fields which include acting and directing to editing, music and visual effects.
The film Sinners is one of the most discussed aspects of this year and it was nominated in 16 categories, the most nominations in the history of the Oscars. This is more than the former record of 14 nominations that were possessed by Titanic, All About Eve and La La Land. The nominations also draw more diversity in the world of cinema and there are several historic firsts in acting, directing and technical categories.
Oscars 2026: Who is Hosting The Oscars In 2026?
Comedian and television personality Conan O’Brien will once again be the host of the ceremony. His comeback is after a successful hosting act last year. Some of the most memorable hosts to have been on the Oscars over the decades include Billy Crystal, Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen DeGeneres. O’Brien is likely to repeats his trademark humour and easy style on the stage.
Oscars 2026: Who Are Presenters
A wide range of global stars will present awards during the ceremony. Indian actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas is among the presenters this year.
Other presenters include:
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Anne Hathaway
- Paul Mescal
- Adrien Brody
- Zoe Saldaña
- Chris Evans
- Javier Bardem
- Demi Moore
Oscars 2026: Full List of Nominees
Best picture
- Bugonia
- Frankenstein
- F1
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
Best Actor
- 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
- 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 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 Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
- Ryan Coogler – Sinners
- Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
- Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
- Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Bugonia
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- One Battle After Another
- Train Dreams
Best Original Screenplay
- Blue Moon
- It Was Just an Accident
- Marty Supreme
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Best Original Song
- Dear Me – Diane Warren: Relentless
- Golden – KPop Demon Hunters
- I Lied to You – Sinners
- Sweet Dreams of Joy – Viva Verdi!
- Train Dreams – Train Dreams
Best Original Score
- Bugonia
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
Best International Feature
- It Was Just an Accident
- Sentimental Value
- Sirât
- The Secret Agent
- The Voice of Hind Rajab
Best Animated Feature
- Arco
- Elio
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
- Zootopia 2
Best Documentary Feature
- Come See Me in the Good Light
- Cutting Through the Rocks
- Mr. Nobody Against Putin
- The Alabama Solution
- The Perfect Neighbor
Best Costume Design
- Avatar: Fire and Ash
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- Sinners
Best Make-Up & Hairstyling
- Frankenstein
- Kokuho
- Sinners
- The Smashing Machine
- The Ugly Stepsister
Best Production Design
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
Best Sound
- Frankenstein
- F1
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
- Sirât
Best Film Editing
- F1
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Best Cinematography
- Frankenstein
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
Best Visual Effects
- Avatar: Fire and Ash
- F1
- Jurassic World Rebirth
- Sinners
- The Lost Bus
Best Live Action Short
- A Friend of Dorothy
- Butcher’s Stain
- Jane Austen’s Period Drama
- The Singers
- Two People Exchanging Saliva
Best Animated Short
- Butterfly
- Forevergreen
- Retirement Plan
- The Girl Who Cried Pearls
- The Three Sisters
Best Documentary Short
- All the Empty Rooms
- Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
- Children No More: Were and Are Gone
- The Devil Is Busy
- Perfectly a Strangeness
Best Casting
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
- The Secret Agent
FAQ’s: Oscars 2026
1. When will the Oscars 2026 air in India?
The ceremony will be broadcast early morning on March 16, 2026 starting at 4:30 AM IST.
2. Where can viewers watch the Oscars live in India?
It will stream on JioHotstar and air on Star Movies.
3. Who is hosting the Oscars this year?
Comedian Conan O’Brien will host the ceremony for the second consecutive year.
4. Which film has the most nominations?
The film Sinners leads with 16 nominations, a new record.
5. Will an Indian celebrity appear at the ceremony?
Yes, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is part of the presenter lineup.
