How to Watch the 2026 Oscar Nominated Short Films

The 15 short films competing across animated, live-action, and documentary categories at the 98th Academy Awards.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The 2026 Oscars are just around the corner, and 15 short films are competing across three categories (animated, live-action, and documentary). If you've already seen all ten Best Picture nominees, or you would like to check out some of the shorter nominated works, you can stream almost all of them online, either for free on YouTube or via a streaming service like Netflix or HBO Max.

Why it matters

The Academy Awards are one of the most prestigious film events of the year, and the short film categories often showcase innovative and thought-provoking storytelling. Watching the nominated shorts allows viewers to discover new filmmakers and explore a diverse range of themes and styles.

The details

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air live on ABC and Hulu, starting at 7 p.m. eastern. Conan O'Brien will be hosting the Oscars for the second time. The 15 short films nominated across the animated, live-action, and documentary categories can be streamed on various platforms, including YouTube, Netflix, HBO Max, Kanopy, and Apple TV+.

  • The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • The ceremony will air live on ABC and Hulu, starting at 7 p.m. eastern.

The players

Conan O'Brien

The former Late Night host will be hosting the Academy Awards for the second time.

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The takeaway

Watching the Oscar-nominated short films is a great way to discover new and innovative filmmaking talent, explore a diverse range of themes and styles, and get a glimpse into the creative process behind some of the most prestigious awards in the industry.