317 Feature Films Qualify for 98th Academy Awards as Best Picture Contenders Narrow to 201
The announcement of eligible films follows the previous release of shortlists in 12 specialized categories, including International Feature Film, Documentary Feature, and Visual Effects.
RMN Stars Awards Desk
New Delhi | January 21, 2026
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced that 317 feature films are eligible for consideration at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. While over 300 films met the general entry requirements, only 201 films remain in contention for the prestigious Best Picture category, which remains subject to stricter eligibility and inclusion standards.
Strict Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the 98th Oscars, a feature film must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have completed a minimum seven-day qualifying run in a commercial theater within at least one of six major U.S. metropolitan areas during the 2025 calendar year. These areas include Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta.
For the Best Picture category, the Academy has implemented further criteria:
- Inclusion Standards: Productions must have submitted a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form and met at least two of the four required standards.
- Expanded Theatrical Run: Films are required to complete a seven-day theatrical run in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets no later than 45 days after their initial release.
- Final Verification: Eligibility for Best Picture may change if late-year releases fail to complete their expanded runs by January 22, 2026.
[ Also Read: Academy and Oscars News and Views ]
The Road to the Oscars
The announcement of eligible films follows the previous release of shortlists in 12 specialized categories, including International Feature Film, Documentary Feature, and Visual Effects.
Official nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 5:30 a.m. PST / 8:30 a.m. EST. While most categories will feature five nominees, the Best Picture category is set to include 10 nominees determined by members from all 19 Academy branches.
Ceremony Details
The 98th Oscars, celebrating cinematic achievement across 24 categories, will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be broadcast live on ABC to more than 200 territories worldwide.
All rounds of voting are conducted via secret online ballots and are tabulated by the independent accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to ensure accuracy. For the most accurate reporting, the Academy advises using the official nominations list available on their website following the announcement.
