Every year, as the calendar flips toward March, the same parlor game begins in earnest across studio lots, agency hallways, and Academy brunch tables: who is walking onto that stage? The Oscars are not just about who clutches the golden statuette; they are about who hands it over. Ask anyone who still remembers the electricity in the room when Adrien Brody accepted his first Oscar from Halle Berry, high emotion, higher stakes, and a moment that instantly entered Academy lore.

And now, with the Academy unveiling a fresh slate of names for the 2026 ceremony, the chessboard is set once again.

Before one gets to the confirmations, there is always that delicious speculation. Will a past winner return to anoint a new generation? Will a snubbed contender reclaim the spotlight as a presenter?

The Academy has confirmed that Demi Moore, Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Chase Infiniti, Maya Rudolph, and Kumail Nanjiani will present at the 2026 Oscars. This forms a savvy mix of prestige veterans, blockbuster comedy royalty, and awards-season headline makers.

Infiniti’s One Battle After Another, which boasts 13 nominations, second only to this year’s juggernaut Sinners, has been a formidable force across precursor ceremonies. Despite being unexpectedly left out of the best actress lineup, Infiniti will still command the Dolby stage, regardless of how the film fares on the night. Meanwhile, Moore returns to the ceremony a year after dodging best actress for The Substance.

This year’s nomination leaderboard is equally dramatic. Amid a sea of repeat nominees, Ethan Hawke lands his first-ever best actor nomination for Blue Moon, a twist that has already sparked spirited debate in industry circles. Added to that is the fact that only two original songs, 'Golden' from KPop Demon Hunters and 'I Lied to You' from Sinners, will be performed live.

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If that were not enough, the Academy had already confirmed another wave of presenters, continuing one of its most cherished traditions.

As is customary, last year’s acting winners will return to pass the torch in 2026. The 2025 Best Actress winner, Mikey Madison (Anora), the Best Actor winner Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), the Best Supporting Actor winner Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), and the Best Supporting Actress winner Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) are all set to present. Madison’s surprise victory last year, one of five wins for Sean Baker’s Anora, including Best Picture, remains a case study in how momentum can crest at precisely the right moment.

Executive producer and showrunner Raj Kapoor and executive producer Katy Mullan confirmed the first batch of presenters, though which categories the returning winners will handle remains under wraps. The ceremony itself is shaping up to be a tightly engineered spectacle, with more names to be expected soon. 

Conan O'Brien returns to emcee the broadcast, marking his second consecutive stint as ringmaster, a rare back-to-back booking that signals the Academy perhaps liked the rhythm he brought to last year’s show. The telecast unfolds March 15 from Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, with the industry watching in real time across traditional broadcast and streaming platforms.

As March approaches and final ballots circulate, one truth remains: the Academy Awards are never just about who wins. They are about framing, timing, and the theater of prestige as well. 

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Which presenter pairing are you most excited to see, and who do you think will own the night? Share your predictions with us in the comments.