Oscars 2026: everything to know before the Academy Awards ceremony

The 2026 Academy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, with several major categories still considered closely contested as the film industry prepares for the ceremony.

Political thriller 'One Battle After Another' is widely seen as the leading contender for Best Picture after securing a number of awards during the season.

However, the film faces competition from vampire horror Sinners, which has received a record 16 nominations.

Irish actor Jessie Buckley is considered the frontrunner for best actress for her performance in Hamnet, after a strong awards season campaign.

Other acting categories remain less predictable. Michael B Jordan and Timothée Chalamet are seen as leading contenders for best actor.

Earlier awards have been split between several performers, including Wagner Moura at the Golden Globes and Robert Aramayo at the Bafta awards, although Aramayo’s film has not yet been released in the United States.

Recent momentum has also built around Jordan after he won at the Actor Awards for his role in Sinners.

In the supporting categories, Sean Penn is considered a strong candidate for best supporting actor for his role in One Battle After Another. He has already won awards at both the Baftas and the Actor Awards for his portrayal of Colonel Lockjaw.

The supporting actress category is regarded as particularly competitive. Teyana Taylor won the Golden Globe for One Battle After Another, while Wunmi Mosaku received the Bafta for Sinners, and Amy Madigan won at both the Critics' Choice and Actor Awards for Weapons.

The ceremony will be hosted by Conan O’Brien, who returns after presenting the event in 2025. Several actors are scheduled to present awards, including Nicole Kidman, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Robert Downey Jr, Anne Hathaway and Chris Evans.

Two songs nominated for Best Original Song will be performed during the ceremony. They include I Lied to You from Sinners and Golden from KPop Demon Hunters.

The awards recognise filmmaking achievements from the previous calendar year and are voted on by more than 11,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.