2026 Oscars Set for March 15: Conan O’Brien Hosts Star-Studded Night at Dolby Theatre
The 2026 Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood. This year’s ceremony promises an exciting lineup of presenters, performances, and tributes, all under the guidance of returning host Conan O’Brien.
The Telecast
The Oscars will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC and will also be available for streaming on Hulu. The event will reach audiences in over 200 territories worldwide. Prior to the main event, the official red carpet show will commence at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, hosted by Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer.
The Host
Conan O’Brien will return for his second consecutive year as host, following a successful debut in 2025. O’Brien has been preparing for the event by refining his material through surprise performances around Los Angeles and spending time in the writers’ room. He expressed a deep commitment to his craft, stating that he has become “obsessive” about his preparation. At 62, he understands the importance of knowing oneself, referring to it as the “Conan Owner’s Manual.”
The Presenters
The Academy has unveiled a star-studded lineup of presenters, featuring past winners, nominees, and hosts. Notable presenters include last year’s acting winners Mikey Madison, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña. Additional presenters will include Will Arnett, Javier Bardem, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anne Hathaway, Paul Mescal, Demi Moore, and Sigourney Weaver, among others.
A special reunion segment will feature the cast of Bridesmaids, including current Oscar nominee Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy. Additionally, a Marvel reunion will showcase Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans. Katy Mullan, the executive producer of the Oscars telecast, mentioned that the show will feature “superstar superheroes” and even an “extraterrestrial” on stage.
The Performers
This year’s ceremony will include live performances of two nominated songs: “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters and “I Lied to You” from Sinners. The other three nominated songs will be introduced through custom-produced segments featuring film clips and behind-the-scenes footage. The decision to feature only two live performances was made to keep the show moving efficiently.
Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami will perform “Golden,” incorporating traditional Korean instrumentalists and dance. Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq will present “I Lied to You,” joined by a diverse ensemble of artists, including Misty Copeland and Brittany Howard.
The show will also feature appearances by Josh Groban and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
The Tributes
The past year has seen the loss of several notable figures in the film industry, including Robert Redford and Rob Reiner. The Oscar telecast producers are committed to honoring these individuals appropriately. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan will reunite to pay tribute to Reiner, who directed When Harry Met Sally. Barbra Streisand is expected to perform a tribute to Robert Redford, her co-star in The Way We Were.
Mullan emphasized the importance of the In Memoriam segment, noting that it has been a topic of discussion for many months. The producers aim to strike the right balance in honoring those who have passed, ensuring the tribute resonates with the audience.
The Nominees
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners leads this year’s nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods, including Best Picture and Best Director. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another follows closely with 13 nominations.
This year, the Oscars have introduced a new category for Best Casting, with inaugural nominees including Nina Gold for Hamnet, Jennifer Venditti for Marty Supreme, and Francine Maisler for Sinners.
The Parties
The awards season will conclude with a series of celebratory parties on Sunday night, where winners will be honored. A comprehensive list of this year’s events is available for those looking to join the festivities.
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-03-12 22:15:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk