Wait. Stop scrolling. If you're frantically checking your DVR or wondering why your local ABC station is showing a random sitcom rerun instead of a red carpet, take a breath.
Is the Oscars on tonight?
No. It isn't. Not tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
I know, I know. Every year around mid-January, that "awards season" itch starts. You see the fancy dresses in your social feed, you hear people arguing about whether that one indie movie was actually "transformative" or just long, and you naturally assume the big show is happening. But Hollywood is a tease. We are currently in the thick of the "nominations window," which is basically the high-stress period where publicists spend millions of dollars on billboards just to convince Academy members that their lead actor is a nice person.
The Real Date: When is the 2026 Oscars?
The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Write it down. Put it in your phone. Set a reminder for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
The ceremony is returning to the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, which is basically the only place that can handle that much ego and organza in one room. If you’re wondering why it feels so far away, it’s because the Academy shifted the timeline a few years back to avoid clashing with things like the NFL playoffs or massive holiday vacations. March has become the sweet spot.
Why You’re Seeing Oscars News Right Now
Honestly, the reason you probably thought it was tonight is because the nominations announcement is literally days away. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman are going to wake up at some ungodly hour (5:30 a.m. PST, to be exact) to tell the world who actually made the cut.
That morning is usually when the "Is it on tonight?" searches peak because the internet explodes with "snub" discourse. Here's how that January 22nd morning usually goes:
- 8:30 a.m. ET: The first block of categories (the technical stuff like Sound and Costume Design) gets announced.
- 8:41 a.m. ET: The "Big Ones" drop—Best Picture, Best Director, and the acting categories.
- 9:00 a.m. ET: Everyone on X (formerly Twitter) starts screaming about how the Academy "doesn't understand cinema."
Who is Hosting the 2026 Oscars?
If you liked the vibe last year, you’re in luck. Conan O’Brien is back.
The Academy officially confirmed that Conan will host for the second year in a row. It’s a smart move. After years of "The Oscars are dying" headlines, his 2025 stint actually pulled in some of the best ratings the show had seen in half a decade—nearly 20 million people tuned in.
Conan brings that specific brand of self-deprecating humor that works because he doesn't seem like he's trying to be cooler than the room. He recently joked that the only reason he’s coming back is because he wants to hear Adrien Brody finally finish that speech from 2003. He's a pro, and he keeps the show moving, which is a miracle considering these things usually run longer than a Lord of the Rings director's cut.
How to Watch (When the Time Actually Comes)
When March 15th finally rolls around, the viewing landscape is going to look a little different than the "cable only" days of your parents.
The Main Broadcast
ABC is still the home of the Oscars. If you have a pair of rabbit ears or a basic cable package, you’re good. They are sticking with the "earlier" start time of 7:00 p.m. ET. This was a change made a couple of years ago so that people on the East Coast don't have to stay up until 1:00 a.m. to see who won Best Picture.
The Streaming Situation
This is where it gets interesting. For the first time, the show will be available for live streaming on Hulu for all subscribers in the U.S. No more hunting for a "Hulu + Live TV" login or a fuboTV trial if you're already a base-tier subscriber. You can also catch it on:
- YouTube TV (subscription required)
- Fubo
- ABC.com (usually requires a provider login)
If you're reading this from outside the U.S., the broadcast is licensed to over 200 territories. In the UK, it’s usually on ITV1 and ITVX, while Australian fans can find it on 7plus.
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What’s the Buzz for Best Picture?
Since the show isn't tonight, you have exactly two months to catch up on the movies people are actually talking about. Unlike some years where it's a one-horse race, the 2026 season feels a bit more chaotic.
There’s a lot of heat around Hamnet, and people are still buzzing about Marty Supreme. We're also seeing strong "shortlist" momentum for international films like Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, which is trying to break a long dry spell for India at the Academy.
A new category is also making its debut this year: Best Achievement in Casting. It’s about time. Casting directors are basically the architects of a movie’s soul, and they've been ignored by the Oscars since 1929. This addition makes the 98th Oscars a bit of a historical landmark.
Don't Fall for the "Live" Social Media Clips
One reason people get confused about whether the Oscars is on tonight is the "recirculating clip" phenomenon.
You’ll be scrolling TikTok and see a "LIVE" feed of a red carpet, but if you look closely, the celebrities are wearing clothes from 2022. These "Ghost Lives" are used by accounts to farm engagement. If you see a video of Will Smith or Meryl Streep "live" tonight, it's a trap.
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Your Award Season Checklist
Since you've got time, here is how you can actually prep like a pro:
- Jan 22, 2026: Watch the nominations live on Oscar.com at 8:30 a.m. ET.
- February: This is "Screening Month." Most of the nominated documentaries and shorts will hit platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ around this time.
- Feb 26, 2026: Finals voting begins for Academy members. This is when the "campaigning" gets really annoying.
- March 15, 2026: Order your pizza, grab your wine, and actually watch the show.
The Actionable Takeaway:
Since the Oscars isn't on tonight, use this evening to watch one of the frontrunners you've missed. Check out Bugonia on Peacock (it started streaming late last month) or see if F1 is still playing at your local IMAX. By the time March 15th rolls around, you'll actually know why everyone is cheering when the envelope opens.