The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is actively underway this Sunday, with the highly anticipated event broadcasting live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Film industry luminaries and global audiences are tuning in as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences bestows its highest honors, with winners being announced in real-time throughout the evening. The ceremony, hosted for the second consecutive year by late-night veteran Conan O’Brien, commenced its main broadcast at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET, promising an evening of cinematic celebration and dramatic revelations.
This year’s awards season has been dominated by a formidable slate of films, with Sinners leading the charge with an unprecedented 16 nominations, including nods for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. This record-breaking achievement positions Sinners as a potential historical sweep, drawing significant industry attention. Close behind in the nominations race is One Battle After Another, which secured 13 nominations, signaling a strong contender across multiple categories. Further cementing their presence are Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and Sentimental Value, each receiving nine nominations. All five of these critically acclaimed features are vying for the coveted Best Picture award, competing against a strong field that also includes Bugonia, F1, Hamnet, The Secret Agent, and Train Dreams.
A New Era for the Academy Awards: Innovations and Rule Changes
The 98th Academy Awards mark a significant year for institutional evolution within the Academy itself, introducing both a brand-new competitive category and stricter voting protocols aimed at enhancing the integrity of the process. For the first time since the inception of Best Animated Feature in 2002, a new Oscar will be awarded for Best Casting. This addition recognizes the crucial, often unsung, work of casting directors in shaping a film’s artistic vision and bringing characters to life. The inaugural nominees in this historic category are Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, and Sinners, underscoring the Academy’s evolving recognition of diverse filmmaking crafts.
Accompanying the new category are revised voting regulations designed to ensure that Academy members cast informed ballots. Under the new rules, members are required to verify that they have viewed all nominated films in a given category before submitting their votes. This tracking is facilitated through the members-only Academy Screening Room app. For films seen outside the digital platform—such as at exclusive screenings, private events, or international film festivals—members are now mandated to complete a detailed form, documenting the specific date and location of their viewing. This stringent approach aims to mitigate concerns about uninformed voting, a perennial criticism leveled at the Academy, by promoting comprehensive engagement with all nominated works across the breadth of the membership. The move reflects a broader commitment by the Academy to maintain the prestige and perceived fairness of its awards.
Streamlined Performances and Star-Studded Presence
In an effort to maintain a brisk pace and ensure the ceremony concludes within its allotted time, the Academy has made a notable decision regarding live musical performances. This year, only two of the nominated songs will be performed live: "Golden" from the animated feature KPop Demon Hunters and "I Lied to You" from the critically acclaimed Sinners. This departure from past traditions, where all Best Original Song nominees often received a live performance slot, highlights the Academy’s prioritization of show flow and efficient pacing. The decision reflects a continued effort to balance artistic showcases with television production demands, aiming for an engaging broadcast that keeps viewers captivated from start to finish.
The ceremony’s allure is further amplified by a truly star-studded lineup of presenters, featuring a diverse assembly of past Oscar winners, nominees, and even former hosts. Among the distinguished individuals taking the stage are last year’s acting recipients: Mikey Madison, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña. They are joined by a constellation of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Will Arnett, Javier Bardem, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anne Hathaway, Chase Infiniti, Paul Mescal, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Jimmy Kimmel, Delroy Lindo, Ewan McGregor, Wagner Moura, Pedro Pascal, Bill Pullman, Lewis Pullman, Channing Tatum, and Sigourney Weaver. These presenters are tasked with the ceremonial duty of unveiling the winners, often adding moments of humor, reflection, and anticipation to the evening.
Beyond individual presenters, the 98th Academy Awards will also feature two highly anticipated cast reunions, strategically incorporated to enhance viewer engagement and inject nostalgic appeal. Fans can look forward to a special Bridesmaids reunion, bringing together current Oscar nominee Rose Byrne with Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy, promising a memorable moment for fans of the beloved comedy. Additionally, a Marvel reunion is scheduled, featuring prominent figures from the cinematic universe, including Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans. These segments are designed to celebrate cinematic milestones and leverage the immense popularity of these franchises, drawing in a broader audience beyond traditional awards show viewers.
Global Reach and Pre-Show Excitement
The 98th Academy Awards are not just a domestic spectacle; the event commands a massive international audience, broadcasting live in over 200 territories worldwide. This global reach underscores the enduring cultural significance of the Oscars as a benchmark for cinematic excellence and a powerful platform for artistic expression. Domestically, the ceremony is available live on ABC and streamed concurrently on Hulu, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of viewers. The pre-show excitement commenced with the official live red carpet show, which aired at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on ABC. Hosted by television personalities Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer, the red carpet coverage offered an exclusive glimpse into the fashion, glamour, and early interviews with nominees and presenters as they made their grand entrance, setting the stage for the main event.
As the evening progresses, the competitive spirit among the nominated films and individuals intensifies. With Sinners poised to potentially redefine Oscar history with its record nominations, all eyes are on whether it can convert its numerous nods into a significant haul of golden statuettes. The introduction of the Best Casting category adds a fresh layer of anticipation, while the Academy’s refined voting procedures and streamlined show format reflect an ongoing effort to modernize the broadcast and strengthen its relevance. The live announcements are unfolding throughout the ceremony, shaping the narrative of the 98th Academy Awards in real-time. This dynamic process keeps audiences engaged and underscores the immediate, unfolding nature of the news as the world watches the film industry’s most prestigious honors being bestowed. The full list of winners will be continuously updated as they are announced, providing a comprehensive record of this year’s cinematic achievements.
