The global film industry is set to witness one of its biggest nights as the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, take place on March 15, 2026. The 98th edition of the ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, United States. The awards are organised annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to honour the best achievements in global cinema for films released in 2025.
What Are the Oscars? A Brief History
The Academy Awards were first presented in 1929, making them one of the oldest and most prestigious film honours in the world. Over the decades, the ceremony has evolved into a global cultural event watched by millions. The Oscars recognise excellence in filmmaking across acting, directing, music, cinematography, screenplay, and technical categories.
How Many Nominations Are There in 2026?
For the 98th Oscars, awards will be presented in 24 competitive categories. Most categories have five nominees each, while the Best Picture category has ten nominees. This means the awards feature more than 120 nominations overall across different categories, representing films and artists from around the world.
Highlights of the 2026 Ceremony
The ceremony will be hosted by popular comedian Conan O’Brien, returning for the second consecutive year. The event will be broadcast in the United States on ABC and streamed on Hulu.
One of the biggest talking points this year is the film Sinners, which leads the race with a record-breaking 16 nominations, the highest ever received by a film in Oscar history. Other major contenders include One Battle After Another, Frankenstein, Hamnet, and Marty Supreme.
Another notable feature of the 2026 awards is the introduction of a new category for Best Achievement in Casting, recognising the crucial role casting directors play in filmmaking.
India’s Presence at the Oscars 2026
India does not have a film nominated in the Best International Feature Film category this year. However, Indian-origin filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir has earned two nominations — for the documentaries The Perfect Neighbour (Best Documentary Feature) and The Devil Is Busy (Best Documentary Short Film).
India’s official submission, Homebound, did not make it to the final nominations, though it had generated considerable buzz earlier in the awards season.
A Celebration of Global Cinema
From glamorous red-carpet fashion to emotional acceptance speeches, the Oscars continue to represent the pinnacle of cinematic achievement. With intense competition among top films and growing global participation, the 98th Academy Awards in 2026 promise an exciting celebration of creativity, storytelling and the power of cinema.