The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially unveiled the first poster for the 98th Academy Awards, offering fans an early visual tease of Hollywood’s biggest night while confirming Conan O’Brien as this year’s host.
The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026, and will honor the best films released in 2025. With O’Brien taking center stage, the poster signals a lighter, personality-driven tone for the upcoming Oscars as anticipation steadily builds across the film industry.
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Alongside the poster reveal, the Academy has already begun shaping the awards race by announcing shortlists in 12 categories. These include areas such as Best International Feature Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Original Song, Original Score, Sound, Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects, Live Action Short, Animated Short, Cinematography, and the newly introduced Casting award.
The addition of Best Casting marks a significant evolution for the Oscars, recognizing a critical creative contribution that has long played a major role in filmmaking.
The shortlists feature a wide range of projects from around the world, highlighting the global scope of this year’s competition.
Several high-profile films have advanced in multiple categories, setting the stage for what is expected to be a tightly contested awards season. Final Oscar nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026, following additional voting by Academy members.
With Conan O’Brien preparing to host and early contenders now coming into focus, the road to the 2026 Oscars is officially underway.
As the ceremony approaches, attention will only intensify around which films, performances, and creative teams rise to the top on Hollywood’s most prestigious night.
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