The Academy Awards is set to bring back Conan O'Brien as the emcee for the highly anticipated 98th Oscars on March 15, 2026. Following a glowing reception at this year's ceremony, the announcement was made by Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy, and Janet Yang, Academy president. They also confirmed the return of the talented Emmy-winning producing team, Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, who will lead the show for the third consecutive year.
In a lighthearted statement, O'Brien remarked, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.” Brody's acceptance speech for his role in “The Brutalist” became the longest in the history of the Academy Awards. This playful comment highlights O'Brien's signature humor, setting the stage for an entertaining evening ahead.
In a joint statement, Kramer and Yang expressed their excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff, and Mike for the 98th Oscars!” They praised the previous year's show for being both “hugely entertaining” and “visually stunning,” emphasizing how it celebrated nominees and the global film community. They noted, “Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth, and reverence.”
The 97th Oscars, held just earlier this month, achieved remarkable success with the highest viewership in five years, attracting 19.69 million viewers. The ceremony also made waves on social media, generating an impressive 104.2 million interactions, surpassing both the Grammys and the Super Bowl in terms of online engagement. Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, commended O'Brien's “unforgettable performance,” highlighting his talent as a perfect fit for Hollywood's biggest night.
Behind the scenes, Kapoor and Mullan will once again oversee production, vowing to deliver another spectacular celebration of cinema. The producers expressed their gratitude, stating, “We are both so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars. We can’t wait to work with Conan and his entire team as we continue to explore even more special and heartfelt opportunities to celebrate next year’s nominees and the impact of film around the world.”
O'Brien’s return is yet another milestone in his illustrious career that spans decades in television and comedy. Presently, he hosts the popular podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” and the HBO/Max travel series “Conan O’Brien Must Go”. He is also set to appear in the upcoming feature film “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”
While it’s still early to predict which films will compete for the coveted Oscar statuettes, the film calendar for 2026 is looking promising. Variety has previewed a diverse array of upcoming contenders, including major blockbusters like Jon M. Chu’s musical sequel “Wicked: For Good” and Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of the acclaimed novel “Hamnet.” Additionally, two separate Frankenstein films are in the works: Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride,” featuring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale.
The 98th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT from the iconic Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
