The 2026 Academy Awards (the Oscars) is officially returning this month, and after an incredible year of box office hits, you’ll want to mark this one in your calendar.
Whether you’re interested in watching Hollywood’s biggest night out for the red carpet fashion or the films, the 2026 Oscars will be a great watch after a fantastic last year of film. Sinners is the frontrunner this year with 16 nominations – the highest number of Oscar nominations for a film ever – including for Best Film, Best Director, and a Best Actor nomination for Michael B.Jordan.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Oscars, including who’s hosting, the nominees, and how to livestream the 2026 Academy Awards in New Zealand.
Stream the 98th Oscars on Monday, 16 March from 12.30pm on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
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Everything to know before you watch the 2026 Oscars in New Zealand
Who is hosting the 2026 Oscars?
American television host and comedian Conan O’Brien will host the 98th Academy Awards, after also hosting the 2026 show. O’Brien is best known for hosting late-night talk shows and more recently, the podcast series Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.
Raj Kapoor is the 2026 Oscars showrunner and executive producer, and Hamish Hamilton will direct the telecast.
Which movies are nominated for the 2026 Oscars, and how can I watch them online?
The nominations for Best Picture this year are:
- Bugonia – available on Apple TV
- F1 – available on Apple TV
- Frankenstein – available on Netflix
- Hamnet – available to rent or buy on Prime Video
- Marty Supreme – available on Apple TV
- One Battle After Another – available on Apple TV
- The Secret Agent – available on Apple TV
- Sentimental Value – available on Apple TV
- Sinners – available on Apple TV
- Train Dreams – available on Netflix
What time will the 2026 Oscars take place in NZ?
The 2026 Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, 15 March, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Due to the differences in time zones, it will be live-streamed by Disney+ on Monday, 16 March in New Zealand. The three-hour-long awards event will commence from 12pm. Stay tuned for more details.
Where can I livestream or watch the 2026 Oscars in NZ?
In New Zealand, you can livestream the 2026 Academy Awards on Monday, 16 March, from 12.30pm exclusively on Disney+. Subscribe here.
