The Academy Awards’ legendary secrecy is being overhauled: starting with the 98th Oscars in 2026, all voting members must watch every nominated film in a category to cast a final ballot—a rule shift that could weaken blockbuster campaigning and reward deeper critical engagement, while new awards for casting and stunts finally recognize behind-the-scenes artistry.
Every spring, Hollywood’s biggest night arrives with glitz, tears, and one burning question: how did that movie actually win? While the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has long guarded its voting mechanics, a series of rule changes—most notably a mandatory viewing requirement for final ballots—is reshaping the path to an Oscar. This isn’t just procedural trivia; it’s a direct response to years of criticism that the Oscars favored well-funded campaigns over genuine artistic merit, and it may finally level the playing field for indie darlings and international favorites.
The Foundation: Eligibility and the Theatrical Gatekeeper
Before a single vote is cast, a film must clear a deceptively simple hurdle: a seven-day theatrical run in at least one qualifying U.S. city, with a minimum runtime of 40 minutes. This rule, straight from the Academy’s official rulebook, is a deliberate barrier against straight-to-streaming releases, preserving cinema as the premier awards platform. Films that debut on broadcast TV or online first are automatically disqualified, a clause that has sparked debate in the streaming era but remains a firm line in the sand. This eligibility filter ensures that every nominated picture has, at minimum, stood on its own in a movie theater.
Two-Round Voting: From Hundreds to Five (or Ten)
The winnowing process is a marathon, not a sprint. It begins in December with a preliminary vote where Academy members nominate films across 24 competitive categories. The Academy announces shortlists in 12 categories—including Documentary, International Feature, and the technical arts—usually in late December or early January. These shortlists, often 10-15 films wide, are the first major cut. Weeks later, nomination voting opens for a tight four-day window. The results are unveiled in a live January announcement, reducing the field to the final nominees: most categories have five, but Best Picture can expand to up to 10, thanks to preferential voting that accounts for fan and critical favorites.
Here’s the critical nuance: nomination voting is branch-limited. The Academy’s 20 branches—Directors, Actors, Writers, etc.—mean an editor only votes for editing nominees, a cinematographer for cinematography. Only Best Picture, Best Animated Short, and Best International Feature are open to all members during nominations. This structure prevents, say, actors from stacking the deck in sound categories, but it also means certain films need broad branch appeal to secure a Best Picture nom.
The Game-Changer: Mandatory Viewing for Final Votes
The 2026 ceremony marks a seismic shift: for the first time, all voting members must watch every nominated film in a category to have their final ballot counted. Previously, members could vote based on reputation, screeners, or buzz. This change, reported by AOL, extends a rule already applied to short film categories and directly combats “vote-splitting” and campaign-based voting. The impact is profound:
- Campaigns Must Now Deliver Viewership: Studios can’t rely solely on glossy screeners and parties; they must ensure voters actually see their film, raising the cost and logistical complexity of Oscar drives.
- Merit Over Hype: Films that generate immense pre-nomination buzz but falter in full viewing may see support evaporate in the final round.
- Indie and International Films Gain Ground: Smaller distributors with targeted screening strategies could outperform blockbusters that assume inevitable wins.
As Kirsten Dunst told Variety in 2022, diligent members already watched everything. Now, that diligence is mandatory—a move that aligns final voting with the intense engagement expected of nominating voters in specific branches.
Branch Power and the New Awards Frontier
The branch system remains central to nominations, but the final “every-member-votes-every-category” rule for winners creates a unique hybrid. It’s why a documentary like “20 Days in Mariupol” can win Best Documentary Feature even if only documentary branch members initially nominated it. Everyone gets a say on the final winner, but the gatekeeping starts with branch-specific nomination rounds.
Beyond process, the Academy is expanding its recognition. The 98th Oscars in 2026 will introduce Achievement in Casting, finally honoring the talent scouts who shape performances. In 2027, Achievement in Stunt Design will join, acknowledging the physical artistry behind action spectacles. These additions respond to long-standing industry complaints that casting and stunts were “invisible” in awards season, and they may shift campaigning toward these newly professionalized disciplines.
The 2026 Ceremony: Conan Returns Amid a Changed Landscape
Mark your calendars: Conan O’Brien will host the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, broadcasting live on ABC and streaming on Hulu. His return comes after a well-received 2025 hosting gig, and he’ll preside over a show where the winners are chosen by a more informed, obligated electorate. This shift matters because host popularity sometimes influences viewership—and now, with voters legally required to watch all nominees, the ceremony’s winners may better reflect cinematic consensus rather than campaign momentum.
Why This Matters to Fans: The End of “Snubs”?
For years, fan outrage has flared when beloved films miss out (think “The Dark Knight” in 2009) or when perceived frontrunners lose (“Parasite” notwithstanding). The mandatory viewing rule could mitigate such disputes by ensuring final ballots are cast from a place of complete exposure. If “Dune: Part Two” faces a tough Best Picture race, every voter will have sat through its 2.5-hour epic—no more “I loved it but didn’t have time.”
Conversely, the theatrical eligibility rule continues to sideline pure Netflix or Apple TV+ originals unless they secure a qualifying run, keeping the Oscars tethered to cinema culture. As streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon pursue limited theatrical releases to qualify, the line between “streaming” and “theatrical” blurs, but the requirement remains a significant hurdle for fully digital-first projects.
The Bottom Line: A More Democratic, Demanding Oscar
The Academy’s reforms—mandatory final viewing, new craft awards, and steadfast theatrical eligibility—signal a return to “film first” values. While branch-limited nominations still concentrate power among professionals, the final round now demands a universal baseline of engagement. This doesn’t guarantee critical darlings will triumph; it simply ensures that when “Oppenheimer” or “Anora” wins, every voter has seen the competition. For fans, it means less “snub” rhetoric and more accountability. The secret ballot remains, but its secrecy no longer excuses uninformed voting. The real winner?透明度和公平性在奥斯卡投票中的胜利。
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