The race toward Hollywood’s biggest night is officially underway, with Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcing that 317 feature films are eligible for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards. Of those, 201 films have qualified for the coveted Best Picture category, which carries additional eligibility requirements beyond general entry.
To qualify in the general categories, films must have screened in a commercial theater for at least seven consecutive days in one of six major U.S. markets — Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, or Atlanta — between January 1 and December 31, 2025. Eligible films must also exceed 40 minutes in runtime.
The Best Picture category includes further standards. In addition to general eligibility, films must submit a confidential Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry form and meet at least two of the Academy’s four diversity and inclusion benchmarks. They also must complete an expanded theatrical release requirement, including screenings in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of their initial 2025 release. Final eligibility remains subject to confirmation for late-year releases through January 22, 2026.
Shortlists in 12 categories — including Documentary Feature, International Feature, Original Score, Visual Effects, and Sound — were previously announced, narrowing the field ahead of nominations voting.
A total of 24 competitive categories will be awarded at the ceremony. Most categories include five nominees, while Best Picture features 10 contenders selected by eligible members across all 19 Academy branches. Final voting will be conducted via secret online ballot and tabulated by independent accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The 98th Oscars ceremony will take place March 15, 2026, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event will air live on ABC and be broadcast in more than 200 territories worldwide, continuing the Academy Awards’ role as one of the most watched entertainment broadcasts globally.
As awards season momentum builds, the announcement of eligible films marks a critical milestone for studios, filmmakers, and performers competing for industry recognition. With hundreds of titles in contention and a diverse range of storytelling represented, anticipation is expected to intensify as nominations approach and the countdown to Hollywood’s biggest night begins.