After a rousing reception at this year’s Academy Awards, Conan O’Brien will return to host the 98th Oscars on March 15, 2026. The announcement was made by Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy, and Janet Yang, Academy President, alongside the return of the Emmy-winning producing team of Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, according to Variety. O'Brien, whose humor and warmth were praised by both viewers and critics alike, quipped in a statement, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.” His wit and charm made him the perfect host, and the Academy is thrilled to bring him back for another unforgettable night.
The 97th Oscars, held earlier this year, garnered the highest viewership in five years, drawing 19.69 million viewers and dominating social media with over 104 million interactions. O'Brien’s unique comedic style resonated with audiences and helped make the ceremony one of the most engaging in recent memory, surpassing both the Grammys and the Super Bowl in online interactions. Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, praised O’Brien’s performance, noting that his ability to perfectly capture the moment makes him an ideal choice to lead Hollywood’s biggest night once again.
Behind the scenes, Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will continue as producers, promising another visually stunning and entertaining celebration of cinema. The duo, who have led the production for two consecutive years, expressed their excitement about returning 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,” they said in a joint statement.
While it's still early to predict the contenders for the 2026 Oscars, the upcoming film calendar looks promising, with major releases like Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good and Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet already generating buzz. With films like Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride also in the pipeline, the 98th Academy Awards are shaping up to be an exciting event. Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 15, 2026, when the Oscars will air live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien at the helm once again.
