Oscars 2026 Nominations Announced: New Casting Category Shakes Up Race

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony promises to dazzle with its new category and a highly competitive Best Picture race, reflecting the evolving landscape of the film industry.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:20am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes in high-contrast red and white, conceptually representing the glamour and prestige of the Oscars ceremony.The 98th Academy Awards ceremony promises to dazzle with its new categories and a highly competitive Best Picture race, reflecting the evolving landscape of the film industry.Los Angeles Today

The 98th Academy Awards nominations were announced live from the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles. Actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman revealed the contenders across 24 categories, including a new award for Best Casting. This year's Oscars will feature a record 10 nominees for Best Picture, out of 317 eligible feature films and 201 vying for the top prize. Returning host Conan O'Brien is set to bring his signature humor to the March 15th ceremony, which is sure to be filled with surprises and celebrations.

Why it matters

The introduction of a Best Casting category is a significant shift that recognizes the vital role of casting directors in shaping the success of films. This new award reflects the industry's growing appreciation for the art of assembling the perfect ensemble of actors. With a record-breaking 10 Best Picture nominees, the competition is fiercer than ever, showcasing the depth and diversity of talent in the film industry.

The details

The 98th Academy Awards nomination process took place from January 12 to 16, with 317 feature films eligible and 201 vying for Best Picture. In addition to the standard 24 categories, a new award for Best Casting has been introduced, highlighting the crucial contributions of casting directors. Each category, except for the expanded 10-nominee Best Picture field, will feature 5 nominees.

  • The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Nomination announcements took place on April 10, 2026, at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles.

The players

Danielle Brooks

An Oscar-nominated actress who had the honor of announcing the 2026 Academy Award nominees.

Lewis Pullman

An Oscar-nominated actor who joined Danielle Brooks in revealing the 2026 Oscar nominees.

Conan O'Brien

The hilarious comedian who will be returning as the host of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony for the second consecutive year.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The organization responsible for hosting the annual Academy Awards and overseeing the nomination and voting process.

ABC

The television network that will be broadcasting the 98th Academy Awards live on March 15, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The introduction of a Best Casting category is a game-changer for the Oscars. It's a long-overdue recognition of the vital role casting directors play in shaping the success of films.”

— Danielle Brooks, Oscar-nominated actress

“With a record 10 Best Picture nominees, this year's Oscars are shaping up to be the most competitive and exciting in recent memory. I can't wait to see which films and performances come out on top.”

— Lewis Pullman, Oscar-nominated actor

“Conan O'Brien's return as host is sure to bring plenty of laughs and surprises to the Oscars ceremony. His unique brand of humor is the perfect complement to the prestige and glamour of Hollywood's biggest night.”

— Unnamed Academy spokesperson

What’s next

The Academy will continue to finalize the production details for the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, which will take place on March 15, 2026. Voting for the winners will take place from February 20 to 24, with the results to be announced live during the telecast.

The takeaway

The introduction of a Best Casting category and the record-breaking 10 Best Picture nominees reflect the evolving landscape of the film industry, where the art of assembling the perfect ensemble of actors and the depth of talent are being increasingly recognized and celebrated.