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Oscars 2026: A night of unpredictable races
The 2026 Academy Awards, airing Sunday, promise one of the most competitive ceremonies in years, with several categories too close to call. Political thriller One Battle After Another leads the best picture race, but vampire horror Sinners, boasting a record 16 nominations, could pull off an upset.
Key contenders and frontrunners
Irish actor Jessie Buckley is the clear favorite for best actress, having dominated the season with her performance in Hamnet. However, the other acting categories remain wide open. Best actor features a crowded field, including Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), and Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), whose late surge has reshuffled predictions.
The supporting races are equally unpredictable. Sean Penn's portrayal of a white supremacist in One Battle After Another has gained momentum after wins at the BAFTAs and Actor Awards. Meanwhile, the best supporting actress category is a three-way battle between Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), and Amy Madigan (Weapons).
Ceremony details and broadcast
The Oscars will air on ITV in the UK, with red carpet coverage starting at 22:15 GMT and the main ceremony at 23:00 GMT. The earlier start reflects both a shortened runtime and the time difference between the US and UK, where clocks have not yet changed. US viewers can watch on ABC or stream on Hulu, with the ceremony beginning at 16:00 PT/19:00 ET.
Conan O'Brien returns as host, following his well-received 2025 performance, which included comedic musical numbers and playful roasts of nominees. Presenters include Nicole Kidman, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Hathaway, and last year's acting winners Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña.
New categories and future changes
This year, the Oscars introduced a casting category, with five best picture nominees-The Secret Agent, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, and Sinners-also competing in the new field. Starting in 2028, the Academy will add a best stunt design category, following the lead of the Actor Awards.
The ceremony's timing has also shifted, arriving two weeks later than last year to avoid clashing with the Winter Olympics. Voting closed on March 5, meaning recent controversies, such as Jessie Buckley's comments on cats or Timothée Chalamet's opera preferences, had no impact on the final results.
Musical performances and historical context
Only two of the five nominated best original songs will be performed: I Lied to You from Sinners, featuring Miles Caton, Raphael Saadiq, and Misty Copeland, and Golden by girl group Huntr/x from KPop Demon Hunters. Barbra Streisand is also expected to perform in tribute to her late co-star Robert Redford, who died last year at 89.
The Oscars, nicknamed after a 1931 anecdote about Academy librarian Margaret Herrick comparing the statuette to her uncle Oscar, remain the film industry's most prestigious honor. Winners are chosen by over 11,000 Academy members, and the awards recognize achievements from the previous calendar year. Sinners, released last April, marks one of the longest campaigns in recent history.
Records and trivia
Three films share the record for most Oscar wins: Ben-Hur (1959), Titanic (1997), and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), each with 11 statuettes. Walt Disney holds the record for most wins by an individual, with 22 trophies, while composer John Williams leads among living nominees with 54 nominations.
