The 98th Academy Awards will take over the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the absolute pinnacle of cinematic achievement from the past year. With the envelopes sealed and the red carpet officially rolled out, anticipation is at an all-time high for an evening that promises to rewrite the Hollywood history books. Whether you are rooting for massive blockbusters, intimate international dramas, or simply tuning in for the musical spectacles, this year’s ceremony is packed with compelling narratives. Before the first golden statuette is handed out, here is everything you need to know about tonight’s star-studded telecast.
Conan O’Brien Returns to the Stage
Comedian and late-night legend Conan O’Brien is stepping back onto the Dolby Theatre stage to emcee the Academy Awards for his second consecutive year. Following a widely praised and wickedly funny debut last season, O’Brien promises to bring his signature absurd humor to Hollywood’s most prestigious gathering. He has reportedly spent the last few weeks testing his opening monologue at local Los Angeles comedy clubs, ensuring his material hits all the right notes for both the live audience and viewers at home. Audiences can expect a lively, fast-paced ceremony guided by a seasoned television veteran who understands the unique rhythm of a massive live broadcast.
A Record-Breaking Night for Cinema
The undeniable heavyweight of the 2026 Oscar race is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which enters the ceremony with a staggering sixteen nominations. This historic achievement shatters the previous record of fourteen nods famously held by legendary films like Titanic and La La Land. Competing in major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, the vampire epic has completely dominated the cultural conversation this season. However, it faces fierce competition from Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which secured an impressive thirteen nominations, and other critical darlings like Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet and Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme.
The Debut of the Best Casting Category
For the first time the Academy is introducing a brand-new competitive category to the broadcast: Best Casting. This highly anticipated addition addresses years of industry lobbying to honor the crucial professionals who assemble a film’s ensemble. The inaugural nominees include industry veterans like Nina Gold (Hamnet), Francine Maisler (Sinners), and Cassandra Kulukundis (One Battle After Another). This milestone moment will likely be one of the most emotional highlights of the night, as the unsung heroes of the audition room finally get their global spotlight.
Star-Studded Presenters and Reunions
Organizers have assembled a breathtaking roster of industry royalty to hand out the trophies throughout the evening. Following tradition, last year’s acting winners—Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña—will return to present the primary performance categories. The broadcast will also feature a special father-son presenting moment with Bill Pullman and Lewis Pullman, adding a heartwarming family dynamic to the show. Viewers should also prepare for major unannounced surprises, as producers have teased both a Bridesmaids cast reunion and a massive Marvel Cinematic Universe assembly.
Musical Spectacles on the Dolby Stage
Music will take center stage tonight with several highly anticipated live performances of the Best Original Song nominees. Audiences will be treated to a high-energy rendition of “Golden” from the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, performed live by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. Additionally, actor Miles Caton and songwriter Raphael Saadiq are slated to perform the soulful track “I Lied to You” from the record-breaking Sinners. These lavish musical interludes are designed to break up the tension of the awards distribution, offering viewers dynamic choreography and top-tier vocal talent.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Robert Redford
Tonight’s traditional “In Memoriam” segment is expected to feature one of the most poignant moments in recent television history. Barbra Streisand is reportedly set to deliver a special, deeply personal tribute to her The Way We Were co-star, the late Robert Redford, who passed away last year. Honoring his unparalleled legacy as both a magnetic leading man and the visionary godfather of independent cinema, this presentation will surely leave a lasting impact. This beautiful celebration of the New Hollywood titan is exactly the kind of historic magic that makes the Oscars so uniquely powerful.
How and When to Watch Live
The 98th Academy Awards will officially kick off exactly at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT. In the United States, the ceremony will air live on the ABC network and, in a major shift for the broadcast, will also be simultaneously streamed on Hulu. For those eager to catch the fashion before the envelopes open, official red carpet coverage hosted by Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer begins at 3:30 PM PT. International viewers also have plenty of options, with specific local broadcasts available in regions like the UK on ITV1 and India on JioHotstar.