“And the Oscar goes to…!”
That’s the famous line that has every actor, director, audience member and TV watcher on the edge of their seats one night per year, when we find out who the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has decided to present with a shiny, golden statue for their cinematic achievements from the prior year.
And it’s that time again: the 2026 Academy Awards are upon us!
If you’re ready for all of the surprises, speeches, performances and hilarious moments that The Oscars™ are so well known for, check out this guide to watching the 2026 Oscars Ceremony live on March 15, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
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When is the 2026 Oscars Ceremony?
The 2026 Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
How to Watch the Oscars 2026
You can watch the Oscars on ABC (check local listings) and stream the event on Hulu.
Where Will the Oscars be in 2026?
The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California will once again welcome the Oscars. The storied awards show has been held at this venue since it first opened in 2001.
Who Is Hosting the Oscars?
Conan O’Brien, comedian and late-night host, will host the Oscars for the second year in a row in 2026. O’Brien’s 2025 performance as host was dialed in, with a near-perfect balance of wit, humor and sincerity. Generally praised by critics, many considering O’Brien’s performance one of the best parts of the 2025 ceremony.
Top 2026 Oscars Nominees to Know Before the Show
For those tuning in on March 15, you can expect a few films to dominate much of the ceremony.
Ryan Coogler’s hit Sinners enters the event as the most nominated film of the year (and of all time), making it one to watch across major categories. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is also poised to have a big night, earning 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Other heavily nominated contenders like Marty Supreme, Frankenstein and Sentimental Value could very well pull off major wins depending on how the Academy votes break.
See the full 2026 film nominations breakdown here.
Who Is up for Best Actor/Actress at the 2026 Oscars?
Here’s a brief look at which performers are up for best actor and actress categories.
See the full nominee breakdown and our official winner predictions here.
Best Actor Nominations: What to Know
This year’s best actor nominees are some of the most recognizable names in Hollywood—including Timothée Chalamet (who was also nominated last year), Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan.
Heading into the night, you can expect the biggest storyline to be around Michael B Jordan’s acclimated dual role in Sinners versus Chalamet’s third Best Actor nomination before age 30—both rare milestones in Oscar history.
Best Actress Nominations: Who to Watch
Unlike this year’s Best Actor category, the Best Actress category is packed with first time nominees and breakthrough performances.
Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) and Emma Stone (Bugonia) are generating the most awards-season buzz, and while Jessie Buckley may hold a slight edge, this is likely to be one of the most unpredictable races of the night.
Who Will Perform at the 2026 Oscars?
Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters was one of the biggest releases of the last year, and the animated feature’s “infectious” soundtrack could be heard at major events, on talk show appearances and blaring from car speakers all year long. The trio that performed the song – Korean pop singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami – will perform the film’s lead track, “Golden,” at the Oscars, too!
Miles Canton will also perform “I Lied to You” from Sinners at the ceremony.
Who Will Present Awards at the 2026 Oscars?
The following stars are expected to present awards during the 2026 Oscars:
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Gwyneth Paltrow
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Robert Downey Jr.
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Anne Hathaway
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Will Arnett
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas
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Paul Mescal
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Adrien Brody
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Mikey Madison
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Kieran Culkin
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Zoe Saldaña
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Chris Evans
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Javier Bardem
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Maya Rudolph
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Chase Infiniti
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Demi Moore
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Kumail Nanjiani
Watch Your Favorite Awards Shows on DIRECTV
Catch the Oscars and every other award show of the year on DIRECTV. Plus, you can watch many Oscar nominated movies On Demand before the show. Stay in the know with DIRECTV.
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