The Countdown Begins: Academy Announces Shortlists for the 98th Oscars®

The road to Hollywood’s biggest night has officially narrowed. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released its highly anticipated shortlists for the 98th Academy Awards, spotlighting standout contenders in 12 competitive categories. From technical achievements in Visual Effects to the global reach of the International Feature Film category, these lists provide the first concrete glimpse into which films are leading the pack for the 2026 awards season.

Major Contenders and Diverse Categories

This year’s shortlists reveal a competitive field where several blockbusters and critical darlings have already begun to distinguish themselves. Films such as Wicked: For Good, Frankenstein, and Sinners have successfully landed on multiple lists, signaling strong support across various Academy branches including Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, and Music. The shortlists cover a broad spectrum of filmmaking, ensuring that everything from Documentary Shorts to the innovative work in the newly minted Casting category receives its moment in the sun before the final nominations are set.

The Road to the Gold Statuette

The process now enters a critical phase of screenings and deliberations. Between January 9 and January 11, 2026, Academy members will gather in major hubs like Los Angeles, London, and New York to view excerpts and interview the creative minds behind the shortlisted works. This lead-up culminates in the official nominations voting period, running from January 12 to January 16. To ensure total integrity, the independent accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers will once again manage the secret online balloting process that determines the final nominees.

Mark Your Calendars for March

The excitement will reach a fever pitch on January 22, 2026, when the official nominations for all 24 categories are announced to the world. For fans and industry professionals alike, all eyes are now on the final destination: the 98th Oscars ceremony. The event will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the iconic Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. If you want to dive deeper into the specific voting rules or see the full list of qualifying films, you can find more details at oscars.org/oscars/voting.