The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday.
Image: Valerie Macon / AFP
Hollywood’s biggest night is almost here. On Sunday, the film industry will gather for the 98th Academy Awards, celebrating a year of standout performances, record-breaking films and some of the most competitive races in recent memory.
With voting already closed and the winners already decided, the final hours before the ceremony have become a guessing game for fans and insiders alike.
From the record-setting momentum of “Sinners” to the unpredictable Best Actor race, the stage is set for a memorable night.
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Conan O’Brien, whose sharp wit and decades of late-night experience make him a natural choice to guide viewers through Hollywood’s most prestigious awards show.
Throughout the evening, the comedian will be joined on stage by a lineup of presenters including Nicole Kidman, Jimmy Kimmel, Rose Byrne, Delroy Lindo, Sigourney Weaver, Wagner Moura and Pedro Pascal, ensuring plenty of star power during the broadcast.
US comedian Conan O'Brien will once again host the Awards.
Image: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP
Heading into the ceremony, one film continues to dominate the conversation: “Sinners”.
The genre-bending film directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan has racked up a record-breaking number of nominations this year.
Set in 1930s Mississippi, the story follows twin brothers who open a blues club only to find themselves confronting both supernatural forces and the realities of racism in the American South.
Its mix of historical drama, music and horror has resonated strongly with critics and audiences.
While “Sinners” leads the nominations tally, it faces strong competition from “One Battle After Another”, which has also built significant awards-season momentum and remains a major contender for Best Picture.
Dynamic duo Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan.
Image: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images / AFP
The Best Actor category is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races of the night.
Michael B. Jordan has generated major excitement for his dual performance in “Sinners”, portraying twin brothers navigating both supernatural danger and social turmoil.
His nomination marks a significant moment in his career, and momentum has been building since he won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at the 2026 Actor Awards.
Another strong contender is Timothée Chalamet, who won earlier in the season at the Golden Globes for his performance in “Marty Supreme”.
However, the actor has recently made headlines following his controversial “no one cares” comment during an interview.
The remark sparked debate online and raised questions about whether the backlash could influence voters’ perceptions.
With voting already closed, though, the outcome has long since been decided.
Timothee Chalamet poses in the press room with the Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for "Marty Supreme" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards.
Image: Etienne Laurent / AFP
The Best Actress category features a diverse group of performances that have drawn strong praise throughout awards season.
Jessie Buckley is nominated for her performance in “Hamnet”, a role that has already earned her major recognition across the awards circuit.
Buckley has taken home several major honours for the role, including the Critics’ Choice Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and the Actor Award, positioning her as one of the strongest contenders heading into the Oscars.
She faces competition from Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone.
With such a strong lineup, the category remains one of the most difficult to predict heading into the ceremony.
Irish actress Jessie Buckley poses with the award for Best leading actress in the film "Hamnet".
Image: Justin Tallis / AFP
The Best Supporting Actress race has also generated plenty of excitement this awards season.
Wunmi Mosaku earned a nomination for her role in “Sinners” and has already secured a BAFTA win for the performance, giving her strong momentum heading into the Oscars.
Teyana Taylor is also considered a serious contender for “One Battle After Another”, having already won Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture earlier in the awards season.
The category also includes Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Amy Madigan, rounding out a competitive field of nominees.
Teyana Taylor poses in the press room with the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award for "One Battle After Another" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards.
Image: Etienne Laurent / AFP
Unlike many televised awards shows, the winners of the Oscars are already determined before the ceremony begins.
For the 2026 Academy Awards, voting closed prior to March 11, meaning the results have been sealed and will simply be revealed on stage Sunday night.
This year also introduced a new rule aimed at strengthening the voting process.
Academy members are now required to confirm that they have watched all nominated films within a category before casting a vote in that category.
Members can verify their viewing through the Academy’s streaming platform or submit confirmation forms.
The rule was introduced to reduce “coattail voting,” where voters select winners based on reputation or buzz rather than actually watching every nominated film.
Once the ceremony ends, the celebration continues at the Governors Ball, the Academy’s official after-party.
Legendary chef Wolfgang Puck once again leads the menu, continuing a tradition that spans more than three decades.
Guests can expect a selection of his signature dishes, including favourites such as smoked salmon pizza and chicken pot pie, along with a variety of gourmet small plates served throughout the evening.
A chef poses next to a chocolate 'piece montee' at the 98th Oscars Governors Ball preview at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, California, this week where Austrian Chef Wolfgang Puck unveiled his menu for the Academy's official post Oscars celebration.
Image: VALERIE MACON / AFP
With ballots sealed, anticipation building and Hollywood preparing for its biggest night, the 2026 Oscars promise drama both on stage and off.
Will “Sinners” turn its record-breaking nominations into a historic sweep?
Will Michael B. Jordan claim his first Academy Award?
And could the conversation around Timothée Chalamet shape how audiences react if his name is called?
All will be revealed when the envelopes open on Sunday night.
Will “Sinners” turn its record-breaking nominations into a historic sweep?
Image: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images via AFP