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The 98th Academy Awards are finally here. Tonight, March 15, 2026, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles transforms into Hollywood’s grandest stage. With Sinners breaking records and a fierce race for Best Picture, this ceremony promises unforgettable moments.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Start Time: Tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Pacific
- Host: Conan O’Brien returns for ceremony duties with signature humor
- Record Nomination: Sinners earned 16 nominations, most ever in Academy Awards history
- Where to Watch: ABC, Hulu, YouTube TV, FuboTV, streaming services nationwide
Red Carpet Excitement Begins Earlier Tonight
ABC’s official red carpet coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, 3:30 p.m. Pacific. Hosts Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer will interview nominees and stars as they arrive in stunning fashion.
Conan O’Brien kicked off festivities by rolling out the red carpet himself, setting the tone for tonight’s celebration. This intimate preshow gives fashion enthusiasts a chance to see Oscar-nominated stars in haute couture before the main ceremony starts.
Academy Awards 2026 takes place tonight at Dolby Theatre, here’s what
Emily Ratajkowski flaunts toned physique in plunging red bikini poolside
Viewers can catch exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and the first major fashion statements of the evening on their favorite platforms.
Sinners Dominates with Historic 16 Nominations
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners shattered records by earning 16 Academy Award nominations, making it the most-nominated film ever. The Michael B. Jordan vehicle, a vampire-infused historical drama, topped this year’s nomination count.
Sinners competes across major categories: Best Picture, Best Director for Coogler, and acting nominations. With 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, critics call it a visual masterpiece with incredible storytelling that combines action, music, and social depth.
However, experts predict One Battle After Another by Paul Thomas Anderson may steal the night. The film won the Producers Guild Award, the category’s best predictor, and features Leonardo DiCaprio in a standout performance.
Best Picture Race Heats Up This Evening
| Top Contender | Director/Star | Rotten Tomatoes |
| Sinners | Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan | 97% |
| One Battle After Another | Paul Thomas Anderson, Leonardo DiCaprio | 94% |
| The Secret Agent | Kleber Mendonça Filho | 98% |
| Train Dreams | Clint Bentley, Joel Edgerton | 94% |
Ten films compete for the night’s biggest award. Comedy, drama, international features, and genre films showcase the year’s cinematic diversity. Sentimental Value (95%) and Marty Supreme (93%) round out strong contenders.
“One Battle After Another won with the Producers Guild, the precursor that most accurately predicts best picture. It also beat Sinners at the British BAFTA Awards.”
— Los Angeles Times, Awards Analysis
Major Acting Races Feature Powerhouse Nominees
Best Actor celebrates outstanding male performances. Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another faces tough competition from stars who delivered career-defining roles throughout 2025.
Best Actress showcases incredible female talent. Jessie Buckley appears in Hamnet for her powerful performance, while Emma Stone surprises in Bugonia, the offbeat psychological thriller directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.
Supporting Actor and Actress categories feature fresh discoveries and veteran stars. Timothée Chalamet competes for Best Actor with his role in Marty Supreme, the Josh Safdie sports epic about ping pong obsession.
What Surprises Await Viewers Tonight
Award ceremonies thrive on unpredictable moments. While Sinners dominates nominations, the Best Picture outcome remains genuinely uncertain. Paul Thomas Anderson‘s One Battle After Another carries momentum from major guild awards.
International submissions like The Secret Agent (98% on Rotten Tomatoes) prove that global cinema commands respect alongside Hollywood productions. Will voters favor spectacle, prestige, or artistic innovation tonight?
Comedy category surprises always entertain, and Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature, and Best International Film races remain wide open. What twists will Conan O’Brien’s hosting bring to the stage?
Sources
- The New York Times – Oscar predictions and ceremony coverage analysis
- Rotten Tomatoes – Best Picture nominees ranked by Tomatometer scores
- ABC News – Official Oscars broadcast information and scheduling
