Conan O’Brien to Host The 2026 Oscars

O’Brien’s inaugural hosting stint garnered positive reviews.

Conan O’Brien will return as the host for the 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This announcement was made by Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang on Monday. Reflecting on his previous hosting experience, O’Brien humorously remarked, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” referencing the actor’s notably lengthy acceptance speech at the March 2 ceremony.

O’Brien’s inaugural hosting stint garnered positive reviews, featuring musical elements and sharp humor, including a pointed joke about Donald Trump. The 2025 Academy Awards broadcast achieved a five-year viewership high, attracting 19.69 million viewers. Alongside O’Brien, executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will return for their third consecutive year, with producers Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney coming back for their second year.

Kramer and Yang expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff, and Mike for the 98th Oscars! This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth, and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”

At the 2025 Oscars, Sean Baker’s film “Anora” emerged as the big winner, securing five awards: Best Picture; Best Director, Editor, and Original Screenplay for Baker; and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Additionally, Zoe Saldaña received the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” and Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain.”