The excitement around the Oscars 2026 nominations is reaching a peak as the Academy prepares to reveal the official shortlist for the 98th Academy Awards today. Film lovers across the world are closely watching the announcement, especially audiences in India who are hoping to see Neeraj Ghaywan’s much-discussed film Homebound make its mark on the global stage. The nomination reveal will determine which films and performances will compete for cinema’s most prestigious honours this year.
The nominations will be unveiled live from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles. This year’s announcement will be presented by The Color Purple star Danielle Brooks and Top Gun Maverick actor Lewis Pullman. Together, they will announce nominees across all 24 Oscar categories in two segments. The first set of nominations will be revealed at 8:30 ET followed shortly by the remaining categories. For viewers in India, the live announcement will begin around 5:30 pm IST.
Audiences worldwide will be able to watch the nominations live through multiple official platforms. The Academy will stream the announcement on its official websites Oscar.com and Oscar.org, as well as on its YouTube Instagram Facebook and TikTok channels. International viewers can also tune in via ABC’s Good Morning America, while streaming services including Hulu Disney Plus and ABC News Live will carry the live broadcast.
A major talking point this year is Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor. The film has already been shortlisted in the Best International Feature Film category, placing it one step closer to an official nomination. Whether it secures a final spot remains to be seen, but its presence has already generated strong interest among global critics and Indian cinema fans alike.
Beyond Homebound, the Oscars 2026 race is shaping up to be highly competitive. Films such as Hamnet, Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams and Wicked For Good are emerging as strong contenders in the Best Picture category. In animation, titles like KPop Demon Hunters and Zootopia 2 are widely tipped as frontrunners.
Adding to the anticipation, comedian Conan O’Brien is set to return as host for the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, which will take place on March 15 in Los Angeles. With diverse storytelling bold filmmaking and international cinema gaining momentum, Oscars 2026 is expected to be one of the most closely watched editions in recent years.
