Academy announces 201 films eligible for Best Picture

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that 317 feature films are eligible for the 98th Academy Awards, with 201 titles qualifying for the Best Picture category, down from 323 films and 207 Best Picture contenders last yearvariety.

Best Picture contenders must meet stricter requirements including submitting a confidential Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry form, satisfying at least two of four inclusion standards, and completing qualifying theatrical runs in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of their initial 2025 releasevariety.

Nominations voting runs from January 12-16, with official nominees to be unveiled January 22 and the ceremony scheduled for March 15 at the Dolby Theatre, broadcasting live on ABC to more than 200 territories worldwidevariety.

Academy Announces 201 Films Eligible for Best Picture at 98th Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that 317 feature films are eligible for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards, with 201 titles qualifying for the Best Picture category. The figures represent a slight decline from last year’s ceremony, which saw 323 films eligible overall and 207 competing for Best Picture.variety

Films vying for Best Picture must meet more rigorous standards than general entry categories, including submitting a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form and completing an expanded theatrical release. The RAISE form requires films to satisfy at least two of four inclusion standards covering on-screen representation, creative leadership, industry access, and audience development. Additionally, Best Picture contenders must complete theatrical runs of at least seven days in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of their initial release in 2025.imdb

Some late-year releases maintain provisional eligibility for Best Picture. Films that fail to complete their planned expanded theatrical run by January 22, 2026 may be removed from contention. Distributors and producers also have the option to withdraw their films from Best Picture consideration.creatorsfaire

Awards Season Kicks Into High Gear

The announcement comes on the heels of Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards, where Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” dominated the movie categories, winning Best Picture and Best Director. The film also earned acting honors for Timothée Chalamet, who won Best Actor for his performance in “Marty Supreme”. Other major winners included “Sinners,” which took home four awards including Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler, and “Frankenstein,” which also captured four honors.thenationaldesk

The Critics Choice victories have positioned “One Battle After Another” as the frontrunner heading into the Oscars. Multiple outlets have noted that the film’s critical acclaim and sweep of major critics’ awards make it a formidable Best Picture contender.latination

Nominations voting for the 98th Academy Awards will run from Monday, January 12 through Friday, January 16. The official nominations will be unveiled Thursday, January 22. The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien returning as host. The telecast will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu, broadcasting to more than 200 territories globally.variety

To qualify for general entry categories, feature films must have screened in a commercial theater for at least seven consecutive days in one of six specified U.S. metropolitan areas—Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, or Atlanta—between January 1 and December 31, 2025.mynewsla