Oscars 2026 to Showcase Musical Extravaganza with Sinners and Kpop Demon Hunters
Producers of the upcoming 98th Academy Awards have unveiled exciting details about the musical segments scheduled for this Sunday's prestigious ceremony. The star-studded line-up promises to deliver memorable performances, though not all artists will appear on stage simultaneously during the broadcast.
Nominated Songs Take Center Stage
Audiences can anticipate live renditions of two Oscar-nominated songs that have captured attention this awards season. From the animated feature Kpop Demon Hunters, the song "Golden" will be performed by Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna, accompanied by Korean instrumentalists and dancers in a celebration of the film's rich folklore elements.
Meanwhile, the nominated track "I Lied to You" from the film Sinners will feature Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq leading a segment that explores the song's cinematic significance. They will be joined by an impressive ensemble including ballet dancer Misty Copeland, blues legends Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, alongside actors Jayme Lawson and Li Jun Li, plus musicians Brittany Howard, Bobby Rush, Shaboozey, and Alice Smith.
Star-Studded Lineup and Host Details
While Josh Groban's specific contribution remains undisclosed, with more information expected closer to the event, his participation adds to the anticipation surrounding the musical performances. The ceremony marks the return of Conan O'Brien as host for a second consecutive year, following his successful tenure at the 97th Oscars.
O'Brien's return was announced nearly a year ago, with the comedian quipping in a statement last March about his motivation for hosting again. The Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, 15 March, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the live broadcast on ABC scheduled to commence at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and 4 p.m. Pacific Time.
Streaming Options and Nomination Highlights
For viewers wishing to stream the event, the Oscars will be available live on Hulu, as well as through Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV. The broadcast can also be accessed via ABC.com and the ABC app with appropriate provider authentication.
This year's nominations present a competitive field across all categories. In the Best Actress category, nominees include Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, Emma Stone for Bugonia, and Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue. The Best Actor category features Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.
Supporting Categories and Front-Runners
Supporting actor nominations include Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro for One Battle After Another, Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value, and Delroy Lindo for Sinners. Best Supporting Actress nominees feature Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, Amy Madigan for Weapons, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.
While One Battle After Another has long been considered the front-runner for Best Picture and Best Director, Sinners appears to be closing the gap in recent weeks. The film leads this year's nominations with a record-breaking sixteen nods, creating suspense around the top awards. Associated Press film writers predict One Battle After Another will still secure Best Picture and Best Director, with divided opinions on several acting categories.
Presenters and Availability
A host of stars are slated to present awards during the ceremony, including last year's winners Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña. They will be joined by notable figures such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Javier Bardem, Maya Rudolph, Chase Infiniti, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, Anne Hathaway, Will Arnett, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Paul Mescal.
Many of the nominated films remain available on various streaming platforms, while some can still be viewed in cinemas, allowing audiences to catch up before Sunday's ceremony. The combination of musical performances, competitive categories, and celebrity presenters promises to make the 98th Academy Awards a memorable celebration of cinematic achievement.
