Oscars 2026 Release Time Today (March 16) In India: When Will 98th Academy Awards Premiere? Confirmed Schedule

Oscards 2026 Release Time: The excitement around the Oscars 2026 is reaching its peak as film lovers across the world eagerly await the 98th Academy Awards. Known as one of the most prestigious honours in the global film industry, the ceremony celebrates outstanding achievements in cinema and brings together some of the biggest names from Hollywood and international entertainment.

With anticipation building among audiences in India as well, many viewers are now searching for details about how they can watch Oscars 2026 and catch all the major moments from this year's star-studded awards night.

OSCARS 2026 OVERVIEW: WHAT INDIANS CAN EXPECT FROM ACADEMY AWARDS THIS YEAR?

The 98th Academy Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will once again be hosted by comedian and television personality Conan O'Brien, who returns to lead the global celebration of cinema. When it comes to nominations, the film Sinners has emerged as the biggest contender this year with an impressive 16 nominations, setting a new Oscars record.

The achievement surpasses the previous record of 14 nominations held by classics such as All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners has received nominations across several major categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, and Supporting Actor for Delroy Lindo, along with nominations for Direction, Original Screenplay, Music Score, Song, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Sound, Editing, Makeup & Hair, Casting, and Visual Effects.

Following closely behind is Paul Thomas Anderson's film One Battle After Another with 13 nominations. Other films competing strongly across multiple categories include Hamnet, Sentimental Value, and Frankenstein. The competition for the Best Picture award this year features a diverse lineup including Sinners, The Secret Agent, Blue Moon, Bugonia, F1: The Movie, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and Train Dreams.

In the Best Actor category, Timothée Chalamet is nominated for Marty Supreme, while Wagner Moura has earned recognition for The Secret Agent. They face competition from Michael B. Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, and Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon.

Meanwhile, the Best Actress race includes Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You), Emma Stone (Bugonia), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue).

India will also have a presence on the global stage, with Priyanka Chopra attending the ceremony as a presenter. Apart from Priyanka Chopra, Indian-American filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir has also made a mark this year with two Oscar nominations. Her film The Perfect Neighbor has been nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category, while The Devil Is Busy is in the running for Best Documentary Short, highlighting a strong representation of Indian talent at the global awards event.

OSCAR AWARDS 2026 TELECAST TIME IN INDIA: WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH?

The 98th Academy Awards will celebrate the best films of 2025 and the artists behind them when the ceremony takes place on March 15 in Los Angeles. The global event will be broadcast live across television and digital platforms, allowing film fans around the world to witness one of cinema's most prestigious nights.

In India, viewers can watch the ceremony through live streaming on JioHotstar. The platform will also provide an on-demand replay after the live broadcast concludes, giving audiences the option to catch the biggest moments from the awards night at their convenience.

For television viewers, the ceremony will also be telecast on channels such as Star Movies, Star Movies Select, and Colors Infinity.

The red carpet segment is scheduled to begin at 3:30 AM IST on Monday, March 16, followed by the main awards ceremony starting at 4:30 AM IST. For viewers who are unable to watch the event live, the ceremony will also be broadcast again later in the day at 9:00 PM IST.