Oscars 2026: A Night of Glamour and Anticipation

Hollywood is buzzing with excitement as the 2026 Oscars approach! This year’s awards race is particularly thrilling, with several categories poised for nail-biting finishes. From gripping political thrillers to captivating vampire horror, the nominees represent a diverse and compelling range of cinematic achievements.

The Frontrunners: Who’s Expected to Shine?

Political thriller One Battle After Another is currently the favourite to take home the coveted Best Picture award. However, it faces fierce competition from Sinners, a vampire horror that has garnered a record-breaking 16 nominations. The sheer number of nods for Sinners suggests a strong showing, and a potential upset could be in the cards.

Acting Races: A Look at the Contenders

Irish star Jessie Buckley is widely considered the frontrunner for Best Actress, thanks to her powerful performance in Hamnet. However, the other acting categories are much more unpredictable. Michael B. Jordan, Timothée Chalamet, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Sean Penn are all in contention, making for a truly exciting showdown.

Where and When to Watch

For viewers in the UK, the Academy Awards will be broadcast on ITV, with red carpet coverage beginning at 22:15 GMT, followed by the ceremony at 23:00 GMT. US viewers can tune in to ABC or stream the event on Hulu, starting at 16:00 PT/19:00 ET.

Conan O’Brien Returns as Host

Comedic powerhouse Conan O’Brien is back to host the Oscars, promising a night filled with laughter and witty observations. Following his successful performance in 2025, O’Brien is expected to deliver another memorable monologue and keep the audience entertained throughout the evening.

Star-Studded Presenters

A host of A-list actors will be presenting awards, including Paul Mescal, Chase Infiniti, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Hathaway, Chris Evans, and last year’s acting winners Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña.

The Best Picture Race: A Two-Film Showdown

While ten films are nominated for Best Picture, the race has largely narrowed down to One Battle After Another and Sinners. One Battle has consistently won precursor awards, and director Paul Thomas Anderson is heavily favoured to win his first Oscar for directing. However, Sinners has a passionate following within the Academy, and its impressive 16 nominations suggest it shouldn’t be counted out.

Best Actor: A Tight Competition

The Best Actor category is proving to be the most unpredictable. Wagner Moura, Timothée Chalamet, Robert Aramayo, and Michael B. Jordan have all received recognition leading up to the Oscars. Jordan’s recent momentum makes him a strong contender, but the outcome remains uncertain.

Best Actress: Buckley’s to Lose

Jessie Buckley is the clear favourite to win Best Actress for her captivating performance in Hamnet, having dominated the category throughout awards season.

Supporting Categories: Unexpected Turns

The supporting actor and actress races are also proving to be competitive. Sean Penn is gaining traction for his role in One Battle After Another, while Teyana Taylor, Wunmi Mosaku, and Amy Madigan are all vying for the Supporting Actress award.

Musical Performances and Special Tributes

The ceremony will feature performances of two nominated original songs: “I Lied to You” from Sinners and “Golden” by Huntr/x. There are also reports that Barbra Streisand will perform a tribute to the late Robert Redford.

New Categories and Future Changes

This year, five Best Picture nominees also have nominations in the new Casting category. From 2028, a Best Stunt Design category will be added. Looking ahead, the Oscars will move to YouTube in 2029, offering a new platform with fewer time restrictions.

A Legacy of Excellence

The Academy Awards, affectionately known as “the Oscars,” recognize the best in filmmaking and represent the film industry’s most prestigious honour. The winners are chosen by the more than 11,000 members of the Academy. The tradition began in 1931, and the golden statuette quickly became known as “Oscar” thanks to a librarian’s observation.

Learn more about the Oscars and the films in contention at the official Academy Awards website.