Academy lists 201 films eligible for best picture Oscar

Friday 09 January 2026 - 16:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Academy lists 201 films eligible for best picture Oscar

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that 317 feature films qualify for the 98th Oscars, with 201 titles eligible for best picture. These numbers reflect a slight dip from last year's ceremony, which had 323 eligible films overall and 207 in the best picture race.

Best picture contenders face stricter standards than general categories, including submission of a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form and an expanded theatrical release. The RAISE form requires films to meet at least two of four inclusion criteria spanning onscreen representation, creative leadership, industry access, and audience development. Additionally, best picture hopefuls must screen for at least seven days in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of their 2025 initial release.

Some late-year releases hold provisional best picture eligibility. Films failing to complete their planned wide release by January 22, 2026, risk disqualification. Distributors and producers can also withdraw their entries from best picture contention.

This news follows Sunday's Critics Choice Awards, where Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" swept film categories, winning best picture and best director. The film also earned acting honors for Timothée Chalamet, who took best actor for "Marty Supreme." Other top winners included "Sinners," with four awards including best original screenplay for Ryan Coogler, and "Frankenstein," also securing four prizes.

Critics Choice triumphs position "One Battle After Another" as an early Oscars frontrunner. Media outlets note its critical acclaim and sweep of key critics' prizes make it a formidable best picture contender.

Voting for 98th Oscars nominations runs from January 12 to 16. Official nominations reveal on January 22. The ceremony airs live March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, hosted by Conan O'Brien, broadcast on ABC and streaming on Hulu, reaching over 200 territories worldwide.

For general category eligibility, features must screen for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial theater in one of six designated U.S. metro areas Los Angeles County, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, or Atlanta between January 1 and December 31, 2025.