The 2027 Oscars: Everything You Need to Know Before March 14

Save the date: March 14, 2027. That's when the 99th Academy Awards will go down at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. And yes Conan O'Brien is coming back to host for the third year running. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Pacific) and if you're in the U.S. you can catch it on ABC or stream it on Hulu.

The nominations don't drop until January 21, 2027  and since the ceremony only covers films released in 2026 these next few months are really when the whole race gets decided.

One thing to keep straight: the date, venue, host and broadcast are all locked in. The nominees and winners are not. They stay open until the Academy finishes voting so if someone claims to know the winners already they’re guessing.

The Quick Reference

Detail	What We Know
Official Name	99th Academy Awards
Date	Sunday, March 14, 2027
Location	Dolby Theatre, Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles
Start Time	7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
US Broadcast	ABC
Streaming	Hulu
Host	Conan O'Brien
Nominations Announced	January 21, 2027
Final Voting	February 25 – March 4, 2027
Organizer	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

When Is It, Exactly?

Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Watching from outside the US? Check your time zone first. For a lot of viewers the show runs into Monday, March 15 so convert the time before you make plans.

The Academy actually revealed the dates for the 99th and 100th ceremonies back in April 2026. The milestone 100th is set for March 5, 2028. Dates can still move if the Academy issues a scheduling update though.

Conan Is Back

The Academy confirmed on May 12, 2026 that Conan O’Brien would host again, his third consecutive turn. He’s an American television host, writer and comedian with decades of late-night TV and live comedy behind him. The Academy clearly prefers a proven host to a gamble.

The crew is familiar too. Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan return as executive producers for their fourth straight Oscars. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney are back as producers and Sweeney writes as well.

The Road to Nominations

The big day is Thursday, January 21, 2027. Before then, the Academy has a whole series of steps lined up:

Milestone	Date
Preliminary Voting Opens	December 7, 2026
Preliminary Voting Closes	December 11, 2026
Oscars Shortlists Announced	December 15, 2026
Nominations Voting Opens	January 11, 2027
Nominations Voting Closes	January 15, 2027
Nominations Announced	January 21, 2027
Nominees Luncheon	February 16, 2027
Final Voting Opens	February 25, 2027
Final Voting Closes	March 4, 2027
Oscars Ceremony	March 14, 2027

Until January 21 every Best Picture or acting “lock” you read is opinion. Commentators can name likely contenders, and that’s half the fun. But a prediction isn’t a nomination.

Which Films Count?

Mostly movies from 2026. A feature needs an eligible theatrical release between January 1 and December 31, 2026, according to the Academy’s rules. A cinema run alone doesn’t settle it for every category though. Films still have to clear category rules, screening requirements, submission procedures and deadlines.

Here’s a date worth remembering: November 12, 2026 is the final general-entry submission deadline for certain films released in the second half of the year. International features, documentaries and shorts each have their own requirements as well. If you want to know whether a particular film qualifies check the Academy’s official rules and skip the “sure-thing contenders” lists.

What About Predictions?

As of October 17, 2026 the official nominations still haven’t been announced. Festival premieres, early reviews, awards campaigns and other industry ceremonies are fueling plenty of speculation but none of them has actually secured a spot for any film on the final ballot yet.

Best Picture is the hardest to call. You’re weighing films with different release schedules, distribution plans and campaigns against each other. The October favorite can look very different by January. If you want confirmed information wait for January 21.

How to Watch

In the US the ceremony airs live on ABC and streams on Hulu starting at 7 p.m. ET. Just double-check your TV provider or streaming plan ahead of time since access can vary depending on the service and your account. It’s a good idea to confirm your live viewing options right before it starts.

The Academy says the telecast will reach more than 200 territories worldwide but which broadcaster carries it depends on the country. The service you use in the US may not carry it the same way elsewhere. If you’re outside the US, look at the Academy’s official announcements and your local broadcaster listings. Country specific details may still be added.

Going to Hollywood?

The ceremony takes place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood right in the Hollywood entertainment district and a long-time home of the Oscars. Hanging around the neighborhood on Oscars night is one thing. Getting into the ceremony is another. It’s an industry event with controlled admission, security and restricted areas and an ordinary theatre ticket or tourist attraction pass won’t get you through the door.

Expect road closures and pedestrian restrictions nearby during preparations. If you’re planning a trip check local information closer to the date.

How the Voting Works

Academy members vote by professional branch. In many categories the nominees come from people who work in that discipline. Acting nominees, for example are generally chosen by eligible members of the Actors Branch. Best Picture works differently with eligible voters from every branch taking part.

Preliminary voting produces shortlists in selected categories before the final nominees are announced. After that eligible members vote on the winners subject to each award’s rules. Ballots are secret and tabulated independently by PricewaterhouseCoopers and nothing is made public until the winners are announced on stage.

That’s why box office numbers, popularity or a loud social media campaign don’t automatically turn into an Oscar.

The Categories

The Oscars honor artistic and technical work alike. Best Picture gets the most attention with the acting categories, directing, screenplay and international feature close behind. Then there’s the craft side: cinematography, editing, production design, costume design, music, sound and visual effects.

The Academy introduced an award for Achievement in Casting at the 98th Oscars in 2026. For the 99th, updated rules cover Casting along with other voting and eligibility procedures. Who’s actually nominated in each category stays a mystery until the announcement.

Why This One Matters

This is the 99th Oscars just one year away from the big 100th ceremony in 2028. It comes at a time when people are watching movies both in cinemas and on streaming. The Academy still requires a theatrical release for eligibility but the show itself airs on regular TV and streaming platforms. For filmmakers a nomination or a win can give a film a real boost and help it travel internationally. For the rest of us it’s simply one of the biggest entertainment nights of the year.

Quick Answers

What date are the Oscars 2027?
Sunday, March 14, 2027.

What time do they start?
7 p.m. ET which is 4 p.m. PT.

Who’s hosting?
Conan O’Brien.

When will we find out the nominees?
January 21, 2027.

Where’s it happening?
The Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.

How do I watch?
ABC and Hulu in the US. Everywhere else check your regional broadcaster.

Have the nominees been announced?
Not yet. As of October 17, 2026, that’s still set for January 21, 2027.

Bottom Line

The date, venue, broadcast and host are settled: March 14, Dolby Theatre, Conan O’Brien. Next on the calendar is December 15, 2026 when the Academy plans to announce its shortlists followed by the official nominations on January 21, 2027.

Until then, keep the confirmed facts apart from the guessing games. Save the date check how your country is carrying the show and watch the Academy’s official announcements as awards season heats up.