The Oscars 2026 are here, and it is hard to contain emotions right about now, coming this close to Hollywood’s biggest night. After almost a year of rooting for our favorite films and celebrities, we are here to finally witness the big reveal - who gets to win and who will have to find solace in just being in the running for the coveted prize. However, most people are not interested in the whole thing but would rather see the ones they are interested in win.  

Oscar’s is a very long event with almost 24 competitive categories, and having a good idea of the running order of the awards can save you a lot of time and boredom.

 Oz universe-inspired opening: 

Ariana Grande to open with ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ 

Cynthia Erivo to perform a cover of Diana Ross' ‘The Wiz’ from the 1978 film of the same name

Then they’ll both sing the Wicked anthem ‘Defying Gravity’

Opening Monologue:

Conan O’Brien takes the stage

Actor in a Supporting Role:

Presented by Robert Downey Jr.

Animated Feature Film:

Presented by Andrew Garfield and Goldie Hawn

Animated Short:

Presented by Andrew Garfield and Goldie Hawn

Costume Design:

Presented by Lily-Rose Depp, Elle Fanning, John Lithgow, Connie Nielsen and Bowen Yang

Writing (Original Screenplay):

Presented by Amy Poehler

Writing (Adapted Screenplay):

Presented by Amy Poehler

Makeup & Hairstyling:

Presented by Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb

Film Editing:

Presented by Daryl Hannah

Actress in a Supporting Role:

Presented by Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Production Design:

Presented by Ben Stiller (with lift/height joke on stage) 

Music (Original Song):

Presented by Mick Jagger

Documentary Short:

Presented by Selena Gomez and Samuel L. Jackson

Documentary Feature:

Presented by Selena Gomez and Samuel L. Jackson

Sound:

Presented by Miley Cyrus and Miles Teller

Visual Effects:

Presented by Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot

Live-Action Short:

Presented by Ana de Armas and Sterling K. Brown

~ In Memoriam ~

Introduced by Morgan Freeman, tribute to Gene Hackman

Los Angeles Master Chorale sings Requiem in D minor, K. 626: Lacrimosa

Cinematography:

Presented by Joe Alwyn, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista and Willem Dafoe  

International Feature Film:

Presented by Penélope Cruz

Music (Original Score):

Presented by Mark Hamill

~ Tribute to Quincy Jones ~

Introduced by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg

Performance by Queen Latifah of 'Ease on Down the Road' from The Wiz

Actor in a Leading Role:

Presented by Cillian Murphy

Directing:

Presented by Quentin Tarantino

Actress in a Leading Role:

Presented by Emma Stone

Best Picture:

Presented by Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal   

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With so many wards in the mix, there are a number of nominees too, and their winning odds are all varied according to different betting sites.

The odds for the major categories, like the Best Picture, have been quite predictable with the award season going in favor of Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, but Sinners is not too far behind and has been on its tail the whole time. It just might happen that the Ryan Coogler directorial edge passes it just in time.

Another debated category is the Best Actor, and there has been a recent shift in odds with Michael B Jordan leaving behind Timothée Chalamet after the latter’s ballet controversy. The Best Actress, on the other hand, had always had Jessie Buckley on top with an overwhelming lead. Now, the main contention is in the Best Director category, with Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler both having somewhat similar odds at different sites.

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Which of these Oscar categories are you most excited for? Drop your pick in the comments.