The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and the ABC Television Network have officially solidified the schedule for the next two iterations of the world’s most prestigious film awards, ensuring a clear roadmap for the industry as it approaches its historic centennial. The 99th Oscars are scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 14, 2027, while the landmark 100th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2028. Both ceremonies will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, a venue that has served as the home of the Academy Awards since 2002. In a continuation of recent scheduling shifts designed to maximize viewership across time zones, the shows will air at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT), reaching an estimated audience in more than 200 territories worldwide.
The early announcement of these dates provides the global film industry—including studios, distributors, and talent—with a nearly four-year outlook on the primary markers of the awards season. This long-term planning is particularly significant as the Academy prepares for its 100th anniversary, a milestone that represents a century of cinematic history and the evolution of the motion picture medium. By securing these dates early, the Academy and ABC aim to stabilize the awards calendar, which has seen various fluctuations in recent years due to global health crises and industry-wide labor disputes.
The 2026-2027 Oscar Season Chronology
While the 100th Oscars represent a future milestone, the immediate focus for the Academy remains the rigorous timeline leading up to the 99th Oscars in 2027. The 2026-2027 season is defined by a series of critical deadlines and voting windows that dictate the eligibility and selection of the year’s best films. The eligibility period for the 99th Oscars will begin on Thursday, January 1, 2026, and conclude on Thursday, December 31, 2026. This twelve-month window remains the standard for the Academy, requiring films to meet specific theatrical exhibition requirements within the calendar year.
The administrative cycle for the 99th Oscars begins in earnest in late 2026. The final submission deadline for General Entry categories, as well as specialized categories such as Animated Feature Film and Best Picture, is set for Thursday, November 12, 2026. This deadline also applies to the submission of the RAISE form, a critical component of the Academy’s Representation and Inclusion Standards. These standards, which became mandatory for Best Picture eligibility starting with the 96th Oscars, require productions to provide data on the diversity of their cast, crew, and studio leadership.
Following the submission deadline, the first major event of the season is the Governors Awards, scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2026. This ceremony, which is not part of the main telecast, honors individuals for their lifetime achievements in film through the presentation of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and Honorary Awards. The placement of the Governors Awards in mid-November serves as the unofficial kickoff to the "campaign season," where contenders begin to gain momentum through industry networking.
The voting process for the 99th Oscars is divided into three distinct phases: preliminary voting, nominations voting, and finals voting. Preliminary voting, which determines the shortlists for categories such as International Feature Film, Documentary Feature, and Original Song, will begin at 9 a.m. PT on Monday, December 7, 2026, and conclude at 5 p.m. PT on Friday, December 11, 2026. The results of this phase, known as the Oscars Shortlists, will be announced on Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
After the New Year, the focus shifts to the official nominations. Nominations voting will open at 9 a.m. PT on Monday, January 11, 2027, and close at 5 p.m. PT on Friday, January 15, 2027. The highly anticipated announcement of the Oscar Nominees will take place on Thursday, January 21, 2027. This period is followed by the traditional Oscars Nominees Luncheon on Tuesday, February 16, 2027, a celebratory event where all nominees gather for a "class photo" and to receive their nomination certificates.
The final stage of the process, which determines the winners, begins with finals voting at 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, February 25, 2027. The voting window will remain open for one week, closing at 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, March 4, 2027. Ten days later, the 99th Oscars will culminate in the live broadcast on March 14, 2027.
Strategic Scheduling and Broadcast Dynamics
The decision to maintain the 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT start time for both the 99th and 100th Oscars reflects a strategic shift by ABC and the Academy to address declining linear television ratings. Historically, the Oscars aired at 8 p.m. ET or later, often resulting in the ceremony concluding after midnight on the East Coast. By moving the start time up by one hour, the Academy has successfully increased the likelihood of viewers remaining tuned in for the "Big Five" awards (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay) which are typically presented at the end of the night.
The broadcasting partnership between the Academy and ABC is one of the longest-standing relationships in television history. The current contract between the two entities extends through 2028, coinciding with the 100th Oscars. This partnership is vital for the Academy’s financial health, as the licensing fees paid by ABC and international broadcasters account for the vast majority of the organization’s annual revenue. These funds support the Academy’s year-round initiatives, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Margaret Herrick Library, and various educational and preservation programs.
The global reach of the Oscars remains unparalleled. By broadcasting in over 200 territories, the Academy maintains its position as the premier international film awards body. This global footprint is also reflected in the Academy’s membership, which has become increasingly international in recent years. This diversification has led to a broader range of films receiving recognition, as evidenced by the historic wins of non-English language films and international co-productions in top categories.
Inclusion Standards and the "RAISE" Framework
A key element of the 99th Oscars timeline is the November 12, 2026, deadline for the RAISE form. The Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) is a digital portal where producers must submit data regarding their film’s adherence to diversity criteria. To be eligible for Best Picture, a film must meet standards in at least two of four areas: On-Screen Representation, Themes and Narratives; Creative Leadership and Project Team; Industry Access and Opportunities; and Audience Development.
These standards were developed to encourage more equitable representation on and off-screen. While some within the industry initially expressed concerns regarding the complexity of the requirements, the Academy has provided extensive resources and consulting to help filmmakers navigate the process. The inclusion of the RAISE form in the official timeline underscores the Academy’s commitment to institutionalizing these standards as a permanent part of the awards ecosystem.
The Path to the Centennial: Historical Significance of the 100th Oscars
The announcement of the date for the 100th Oscars—March 5, 2028—marks the beginning of a multi-year countdown to one of the most significant anniversaries in Hollywood history. Since the first Academy Awards were held on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the Oscars have served as the definitive chronicle of cinematic achievement. The centennial ceremony is expected to be a massive cultural event, potentially featuring retrospectives on the history of film and appearances by a vast array of past winners.
The 100th Oscars will not only celebrate the past but also serve as a barometer for the future of the industry. The decade leading up to the centennial has been characterized by rapid technological shifts, including the rise of streaming platforms, the integration of artificial intelligence in production, and changing consumer habits. The Academy has frequently updated its rules to reflect these changes, such as expanding the Best Picture field to a solid ten nominees and adjusting theatrical requirements to account for the impact of digital distribution.
Economic and Cultural Implications
The scheduling of the Oscars has a significant economic impact on the city of Los Angeles and the broader film industry. The "Oscar season" generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, from marketing and "For Your Consideration" campaigns to the tourism revenue generated by the ceremony itself. The Dolby Theatre and the surrounding Ovation Hollywood complex become the center of the entertainment world for several weeks, supporting thousands of jobs in hospitality, security, and production.
For filmmakers and studios, the Oscars remain the ultimate marketing tool. The "Oscar bump"—a measurable increase in box office revenue or streaming viewership following a nomination or win—remains a potent force. By announcing dates years in advance, studios can strategically time the release of their most prestigious titles to ensure they peak at the right moment during the voting cycle.
Furthermore, the March dates for 2027 and 2028 suggest a preference for a slightly later slot in the awards calendar. This placement allows for a more spread-out season, giving smaller independent films more time to build word-of-mouth following the fall film festivals (Venice, Telluride, Toronto) before the January voting begins. It also provides a buffer from other major televised events, such as the Super Bowl and the Grammy Awards, ensuring the Oscars maintain a dedicated window of media attention.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The Academy’s decision to release the dates for the 99th and 100th Oscars years in advance is a move toward transparency and stability in an industry often characterized by volatility. As the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences looks toward its second century, the established timelines for 2027 and 2028 provide a framework for continued excellence in filmmaking and a celebration of the artists who define the medium.
While all dates remain subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances, the current schedule offers a clear path for the industry. The 99th Oscars on March 14, 2027, will set the stage for the historic 100th Oscars on March 5, 2028, marking a period of reflection and celebration for the global film community. As the world of cinema continues to evolve, the Academy Awards remain the most significant benchmark for artistic achievement, and the newly announced dates ensure that this tradition will continue with rigorous standards and global participation.
