2026 Oscars: Conan O’Brien to Host Ceremony Amidst Global Tension & ‘Sinners’ Dominance
The 98th Academy Awards are set to take place this at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, celebrating the films of . But this year’s ceremony unfolds against a backdrop of global uncertainty, with the ongoing conflict in Iran casting a somber tone over Hollywood’s biggest night.
Security has been significantly heightened in response to reported threats, as detailed in an FBI memo alerting Los Angeles authorities to a potential attack. The Academy Award organizers are working closely with the FBI and the LAPD to ensure the safety of attendees and those gathered outside the venue. “Every year we monitor what’s going on in the world,” explained Raj Kapoor, an executive producer of the reveal, during a press conference on . “This show has to run like clockwork. But we want everybody that is coming to this show, that is witnessing the show, that is even a fan of the show when they’re standing outside the barricades, we want everybody to feel safe and protected and welcome, so it’s our job as a producing team to build sure that that translates.”
Despite the heightened security concerns, the show will go on, hosted once again by comedian Conan O’Brien. O’Brien acknowledged the delicate balance between entertainment and acknowledging current events. “My job is always to attempt to walk a very thin line between entertaining people and also acknowledging some of the realities,” he said during a news conference on . He added that he and his team are refining material to remain current, stating, “What’s happening in the world will be reflected in the show.”
Viewers in the United States can watch the ceremony on ABC, with live streaming options available through the ABC app, ABC.com, Hulu, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV and FuboTV. However, this year’s broadcast marks a significant turning point for the Oscars, as the Academy has announced a shift to streaming exclusively on YouTube beginning in , ending a decades-long relationship with ABC that began in .
The red carpet, a traditional prelude to the ceremony, will be broadcast starting at , with official coverage hosted by Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer. E! will also provide live coverage, streaming on Peacock and various live TV service providers. British comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg returns as the official Oscars social media correspondent.
This year’s nominees reflect a growing international presence, with several films from the Arab world shortlisted for Best International Feature Film, including The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), Palestine 36 (Palestine), All That’s Left of You (Jordan), and The President’s Cake (Iraq). The Voice of Hind Rajab ultimately secured a nomination, a landmark moment for Arab cinema.
The Voice of Hind Rajab is a docudrama that dramatizes the final hours of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed in . The film incorporates actual recordings of Rajab’s desperate calls to emergency personnel. Filmmaker Mohammed al-Sawwaf emphasized the significance of the nomination, stating that it elevates Rajab’s story beyond a statistic and forces viewers to confront the realities facing children in Gaza.
Another internationally-focused nomination comes with It Was Just an Accident, directed by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, which was submitted by France. Panahi’s work is often critical of the Iranian government, and the film was shot clandestinely without government approval. Panahi, speaking from Latest York, expressed his continued focus on those in Iran amidst the ongoing conflict.
Leading the nominations this year is Sinners with 16, breaking the previous record of 14 nominations held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. One Battle After Another follows with 13 nominations, while Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and Sentimental Value each secured nine.
The acting categories are also highly competitive. Timothee Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Michael B Jordan, and Wagner Moura are nominated for Best Actor. Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone are competing for Best Actress. Delroy Lindo’s nomination for his supporting role in Sinners is considered a long-overdue recognition, with Lindo expressing gratitude for the affirmation.
Musical performances will include Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna performing “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters, and Miles Caton reprising his role from Sinners with “I Lied to You” alongside songwriter Raphael Saadiq. The Sinners performance will feature an array of artists, including Misty Copeland, Brittany Howard, Eric Gales, Bobby Rush, and Alice Smith, as a tribute to Black artistry.
Predictions favor One Battle After Another and Sinners in the Best Picture and Best Director categories, with Jessie Buckley and Michael B Jordan expected to win Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively. Teyana Taylor and Sean Penn are considered strong contenders in the supporting actor categories.