Last updated: October 3, 2026. Awards-season predictions change often, and release dates can shift; confirm details with the Academy and studios.
Awards season is starting. The 99th Academy Awards, honoring films released in 2026, are scheduled for March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien returning as host for a third straight year. Nominations are due to be announced on January 21, 2027. Here is what to know now: the key dates, the rule changes that apply this year, and the films early forecasters are watching.
Key Takeaways
- Ceremony: March 14, 2027. Nominations announcement: January 21, 2027.
- Eligible films are those released in 2026.
- New rules let an actor earn more than one nomination in the same acting category and restrict AI use in writing and acting eligibility.
- Best International Feature eligibility has been widened to include certain festival-winning films.
Key Dates for the 99th Academy Awards
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Eligibility period | Films released in 2026 |
| Nominations announced | January 21, 2027 |
| Ceremony (Dolby Theatre, Hollywood) | March 14, 2027 |
| Host | Conan O’Brien |
Dates are as listed on the Academy Awards reference pages at the time of writing. Detailed voting windows are normally published by the Academy later in the season.
Rule Changes to Know
- Multiple acting nominations. Actors may now be nominated more than once in the same acting category for different performances, matching how directors can already be nominated for multiple films.
- AI restrictions. Writing categories are limited to works of human authorship, and acting categories require performances to be demonstrably performed by humans with their consent.
- Best International Feature. Eligibility now includes non-English films that win top awards at the Berlin, Busan, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, and Venice festivals, not only official country submissions, and the film itself rather than the submitting country receives the credit.
Early Best Picture Contenders
It is early, and no one knows the final field. Awards outlets such as Filmotomy, Gold Derby, Variety, and IndieWire each publish their own evolving lists. Based on one early roundup from Filmotomy, titles being discussed include:
- The Odyssey (Universal, Christopher Nolan), described there as a $1.5 billion box office hit with strong reviews.
- Project Hail Mary (Amazon MGM, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller), released in March.
- Dune: Part Three (Warner Bros., Denis Villeneuve), due in December.
- Digger (Warner Bros., Alejandro G. Iñárritu), opening wide October 2.
- Fjord (NEON, Cristian Mungiu), the Palme d’Or winner and Romania’s international submission.
- Obsession (Focus Features, Curry Barker), the $750,000 horror film that has grossed more than $500 million worldwide.
- Behemoth! (Searchlight, Tony Gilroy) and The Social Reckoning (Sony, Aaron Sorkin), both premiering in early October.
Treat this as a snapshot of the conversation, not a prediction. Gold Derby’s early odds also highlight Obsession and I Play Rocky as films rising in the race. Horror rarely wins top Oscars, so Obsession’s path is unusual, and we explain how it became a phenomenon in our article on how the $750,000 horror movie Obsession became a box office hit.
Where the Fall Festivals Fit
Fall festivals such as Venice, Telluride, Toronto, and the New York Film Festival launch many contenders, and critics’ groups and guild awards in December and January shape momentum before nominations. Films from earlier in the year, like the summer’s biggest hits, can stay in the conversation if studios campaign them. For the year’s box office picture, see the biggest movies of 2026 so far, and for what is in theaters now, our guide to October 2026 horror releases.
How to Follow the Race
- Watch festival premieres and early reviews in October and November.
- Track precursor awards: critics’ groups, guild nominations, and the Golden Globes.
- Check the Academy’s official site for rules, voting dates, and eligible-film lists.
- Compare several forecasters rather than relying on one list.
FAQ
When are the 2027 Oscars?
The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
When are the Oscar nominations announced?
January 21, 2027.
Who is hosting the 2027 Oscars?
Conan O’Brien, hosting for the third consecutive year.
Which films are eligible?
Films released in 2026 that meet the Academy’s eligibility rules.
Can AI-generated performances win?
No. Acting categories require roles to be demonstrably performed by humans with their consent, and writing categories require works of human authorship.
The Bottom Line
With the ceremony set for March 14, 2027 and nominations on January 21, the race is just beginning. New rules on multiple acting nominations, AI, and international eligibility make this year’s field different, and the contender list will shift as festival buzz and precursor awards arrive. Check back as the season develops.
Sources: Wikipedia, “99th Academy Awards”; Filmotomy awards-season roundup; Gold Derby; Variety and The Hollywood Reporter on Oscars dates. Contender lists are early forecasts, not official.
