Oscars 2026 takes place March 15 at Dolby Theatre with Conan O’Brien hosting

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Conan O’Brien Returns to Host the 98th Oscars
• The 98th Oscars Airs Live in Two Weeks on ABC
• Best Picture Race Heats Up Between Sinners and One Battle After Another
• Star-Studded Presenters Include Chris Evans, Demi Moore, and Javier Bardem
• Will This Year’s Oscars Predictions Come True on March 15?

The Oscars 2026 arrives in just two weeks with Conan O’Brien hosting again. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony promises epic showdowns between Sinners and One Battle After Another. Here’s what you need to know before March 15.

Conan O’Brien Returns to Host the 98th Oscars

Conan O’Brien made history last year becoming the first Oscars host in decades. He’s back for another round of laughs and surprises. The Emmy-winning comedian earned rave reviews and record ratings in his debut. Now he’s gearing up to deliver even bigger moments at the Dolby Theatre.

Executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan reunited with O’Brien to repeat the magic. He teased that audiences should expect the unexpected this year. The late-night legend once revealed he’d never even been invited to the Oscars before hosting, making his return extra meaningful.

The 98th Oscars Airs Live in Two Weeks on ABC

Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 15, 2026. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on ABC affiliates. The official red carpet broadcast starts at 6:30 p.m. ET. For the second year, the show streams live on Hulu and reaches more than 200 territories worldwide.

The event takes place at the iconic Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. Fans can watch free over-the-air on ABC or stream exclusively on Hulu for the first time. No cable subscription needed.

Best Picture Race Heats Up Between Sinners and One Battle After Another

The best picture race intensified just hours ago. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners won best ensemble at the Actor Awards today, catapulting closer to Oscar victory. Michael B. Jordan took home lead actor as well. Meanwhile, One Battle After Another claimed the Producers Guild Award for best feature film earlier this week, cementing its frontrunner status.

Top contenders also include Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and Frankenstein. The battle between these heavyweight dramas will dominate the March 15 ceremony. Awards expert consensus shows these two films trading momentum daily, making the Oscars race unpredictable and thrilling.

Best Picture Frontrunner	Latest Win	Momentum
Sinners	Actor Awards Best Ensemble	Surging
One Battle After Another	Producers Guild Award	Strong
Hamnet	Top 5 Nominee	Competitive

“We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff and the entire creative team.”

— The Academy, Official Statement

Star-Studded Presenters Include Chris Evans, Demi Moore, and Javier Bardem

The 98th Oscars assembled an all-star presenter lineup. Chris Evans, Demi Moore, Javier Bardem, Kumail Nanjiani, Maya Rudolph, and Chase Infiniti confirmed as presenters. Last year’s acting winners also return to the stage. These A-list celebrities will hand out the night’s biggest awards and provide entertainment between categories.

The show features live performances of best song nominees. “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters and “I Lied to You” from Sinners will get musical treatment. Expect high production values, emotional performances, and possibly some surprise moments orchestrated by O’Brien.

Will This Year’s Oscars Predictions Come True on March 15?

Industry predictions favor Sinners after today’s Actor Awards sweep. But One Battle After Another dominated the Producers Guild just hours earlier. This unpredictability makes the 98th Academy Awards must-watch television. Will Ryan Coogler’s ensemble masterpiece take the crown? Or will Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic drama prevail?

Experts split their picks, and betting odds shift hourly. The best picture winner remains genuinely uncertain. Surprise wins in acting categories and technical awards could swing momentum at the last second. Tune in at 7 p.m. ET on March 15 to witness the drama unfold live from the Dolby Theatre.