Mumbai, Jan 22 : The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars 2026, will be announced on January 22, officially kicking off the global awards season. The reveal will take place in the United States in the morning and will be accessible to audiences in India later in the evening, between approximately 7:00 pm and 9:45 pm IST.
Indian viewers can watch the nominations live through the Academy’s official platforms, including Oscar.com and Oscars.org, as well as its social media channels on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. The announcement will also be streamed via ABC News Live, Good Morning America, Disney+ and Hulu. In India, platforms such as JioHotstar and Star Network channels are expected to air the live feed or provide highlights shortly after.
Actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman will host the nominations announcement event.
This year’s nominations are particularly significant as the Academy introduces a new category Achievement in Casting marking the first addition since Best Animated Feature Film was introduced in 2001. The new award aims to recognise the creative contribution of casting directors in building impactful acting ensembles.
Industry buzz points to a highly competitive field, with films such as One Battle After Another, Sinners, Hamnet and Frankenstein tipped as major contenders. Other titles drawing attention this awards season include Marty Supreme, Bugonia, The Secret Agent, It Was Just an Accident, Sentimental Value and Train Dreams.
India is also closely watching the nominations, with Homebound selected as the country’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category. Several Indian films, including Kantara: Chapter 1, Tanvi The Great, Tourist Family, Mahavatar Narasimha and Sister Midnight, were also among the titles eligible for consideration.
The final nominations will reveal which films and artists make the cut, setting the stage for the Oscars 2026 ceremony and the rest of the awards season.