The 98th Academy Awards are shaping up to be one of the most thrilling ceremonies in recent memory. From record-breaking nominations to historic firsts, the 2026 Oscars celebrate a year of bold filmmaking that pushed boundaries across every genre. Think you've been paying attention to awards season? Take our quiz and discover whether you're a casual moviegoer or a bona fide Oscar expert!
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The Oscars Explained: What Are the Academy Awards?
The Academy Awards — more commonly known as the Oscars — are the most prestigious film awards in the world. First held in 1929, they celebrate excellence in cinema, recognising actors, directors, writers, composers, and many behind-the-scenes creatives who bring films to life.
Each year, films released in the previous calendar year compete across multiple categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and many technical awards. Winning an Oscar isn’t just about prestige — it can transform careers and cement a film’s place in movie history.
The famous Oscar statuette officially weighs around 3.8 kg and is plated in 24-carat gold. Despite its value, winners are legally forbidden from selling it.
Oscars 2026: A Year of Historic Firsts
The 98th Academy Awards, taking place on March 16, 2026, bring some notable updates that movie fans should know about. This year's nominations have rewritten the record books and signalled a dramatic shift in what the Academy considers award-worthy cinema.
Horror Finally Gets Its Due 🎥
For decades, horror films were largely ignored by Oscar voters—relegated to technical categories at best. That's changing in a big way. Following last year's breakthrough with The Substance earning a Best Picture nomination, Ryan Coogler's Southern Gothic vampire epic Sinners has become the most-nominated film in Oscar history. Set in 1930s Mississippi, the film blends blues music, family drama, and supernatural terror into something entirely its own.
The film's success represents a seismic shift in Academy attitudes. Horror is no longer dismissed as mere genre fare—it's being recognised as a legitimate vehicle for exploring profound themes about race, history, and the American experience.
A Studio at the Crossroads 🎬
Behind the scenes, drama rivals anything on screen. Warner Bros., currently in the midst of a contentious $72 billion sale to Netflix (with Paramount Skydance mounting a challenge), dominated nominations morning with 30 total nods. It's the studio's best Oscar showing ever, arriving at a moment when Hollywood is bracing for potentially the largest industry realignment in its history.
The irony isn't lost on observers: as streaming platforms reshape the business, a traditional studio's theatrical releases are being celebrated like never before.
International Cinema Shines Bright 🌍
The Academy continues to embrace global storytelling. This year's Best International Feature race features compelling entries from Brazil, France, Norway, Spain, and Tunisia. Notably, NEON—the independent distributor behind recent Cannes winners—dominated the international category, cementing its reputation as a tastemaker for world cinema.
Norwegian director Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value achieved a rare feat: earning nine nominations, including Best Picture, proving that intimate family dramas can compete alongside big-budget spectacles.
The 2026 Oscars Films You Need to Know
Beyond the frontrunners, several nominated films deserve your attention:
Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel explores Shakespeare's grief following his son's death. Jessie Buckley delivers what many consider the performance of the year, and the film earned eight nominations, including Best Picture.
Guillermo del Toro's passion project reimagines Mary Shelley's classic with Jacob Elordi as the creature and Oscar Isaac as the scientist. The film garnered nine nominations, though del Toro himself was surprisingly absent from the Best Director shortlist.
Josh Safdie's latest earned nine nominations, including a nod for its unconventional casting choices. The film continues the Safdie brothers' tradition of finding beauty in New York's margins.
Brazil's submission became only the second Portuguese-language film nominated for Best Picture (following last year's I'm Still Here), marking a breakthrough moment for Brazilian cinema.
Where to Watch the 2026 Oscars Ceremony in Australia
The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026 (US time) at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. For Australian viewers, the ceremony will air live on Monday, March 16, 2026, thanks to the time difference—so you can tune in with your morning coffee or catch up later in the day. Here’s how to watch:
📺 Live Broadcast: Free-to-air coverage is expected on Seven Network, including the full ceremony and red carpet arrivals
📺 Streaming: Live streaming will be available via 7plus, Seven’s on-demand platform
📺 Subscription TV: Coverage is also typically available on Foxtel for subscribers
📺 Highlights & Clips: Catch winner announcements, red carpet fashion, and viral moments later in the day across entertainment news programs and online platforms
📺 Social Media: Follow Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (@TheAcademy) for live updates, backstage interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage
cause Australia is well ahead of the United States, the ceremony will air Monday morning, March 16, 2026. Based on previous years, expect:
Red Carpet: Around 10:30 AM AEDT
Main Ceremony: Around 12:00 PM AEDT
(Start times may vary slightly depending on your state and daylight saving.)
Whether you’re planning a watch party, tuning in during a lunch break, or catching the highlights later, Australian audiences have plenty of ways to experience Hollywood’s biggest night.
However you choose to watch, one thing’s for certain — this year’s ceremony promises to be one to remember. Grab the popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the magic of cinema.
Who do you think will take home the biggest awards? Let us know your predictions in the comments below. 🍿✨
Which film do you think will take home best picture this year?
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