Think you can skip movies and still vote Oscars? Academy says think again

‘The Academy’ now requires voters to watch every nominated film to ensure informed choices ahead of the 2026 Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued new guidance to its more than 10,000 voting members, instructing them to watch every nominated film before casting their ballots for the Oscars. NBC News obtained a copy of an email sent to members on October 30, revealing the steps needed to comply with the policy ahead of the final voting deadline on March 5.

Previously, members were only required to confirm that they had seen films in certain preliminary rounds, such as those for international features. The updated rule now mandates that voters watch all five films in each category and all ten films in the Best Picture category to be eligible to vote. Films watched via the Academy Screening Room, the organization’s streaming platform, will be automatically verified, while movies seen elsewhere, such as at festivals or private screenings, must be manually marked as watched. “Keep an eye out for eligibility notifications prior to finals voting,” the Academy advised. “Members will be notified of the categories in which they still need to watch films to be eligible to vote.”

The measure is intended to prevent voters from favouring a single film across multiple categories without seeing all the other contenders. The Academy has collected more data on viewing habits since 2019, when it made Best Picture nominees available on its streaming service, revealing that not all voters watch all films before voting. Critics of the system noted that starting a film does not guarantee members actually watch it, highlighting challenges in enforcing the rule.

This move coincides with additional changes to the Oscars. A new award for achievement in casting will debut in 2026, while an accolade for stunt design will be introduced in 2028. The Academy nominations will be announced on January 26, and the 98th annual Oscars ceremony is set for March 15, with Conan O’Brien returning as host.

The Academy’s new requirements reflect ongoing efforts to promote fairness and transparency in voting, ensuring that winners are chosen by members who have thoroughly engaged with all nominated films. The approach signals a shift towards accountability, aiming to maintain credibility in the highly publicised awards process.