The Oscars remain the ultimate prize in Hollywood. It’s the award Leonardo DiCaprio chased for decades before finally winning, the stage where Matthew McConaughey’s heartfelt “three things every day” speech moved audiences around the world, and the moment where stars, both new and established, find true validation. And in 2026, the competition for the golden statuette looks fiercer than ever.
Leading the battle are the Best Actor nominees, including Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, who has perhaps been the most vocal about his chase for greatness. But he faces some formidable competition, including Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another and Michael B. Jordan for Sinners.
On the actresses’ side, Emma Stone for Bugonia is widely considered the favourite, though Jessie Buckley delivered an equally compelling performance in Hamnet. In fact, it was a surprise that her co-star Paul Mescal did not receive a nomination.
The Oscars 2026 ceremony will air live in more than 100 countries around the world. But some lucky viewers – in the UK and Australia, as well as in the US through a few sneaky methods – can watch the entire three-and-a-half-hour spectacle completely free. Read on to find out how…
How to watch the 2026 Oscars for free
Audiences in the UK and Australia have the easiest way to watch the 2026 Oscars live for free. The ceremony streams on free platforms in both countries.
Streaming options:
UK: ITVX (FREE)
Australia: 7plus (FREE)
US: Hulu (30-day free trial)
Away from home? Use a VPN to access your local streaming services from anywhere in the world.
Use a VPN to access the 2026 Oscars from anywhere
Nothing works as well as Nord when it comes to unblocking streaming services – so you can access your favorite Oscar 2026 live streams from anywhere!
Quick start: Using a VPN to watch the 2026 Oscars free
Once you’ve signed up with your VPN:
1. Open the NordVPN app.
2. Connect to a server based in your home country where the ceremony is free to watch, such as the UK, Australia, or even the US.
3. Fire up ITVX, 7plus, or a US free-trial streaming service of your choice, such as Hulu or YouTube TV.
5. Watch the 2026 Oscars on streaming without cable TV, from anywhere, for FREE.
When will the 2026 Oscars take place?
The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, at the iconic Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. The ceremony will begin at 7pm ET / 4pm PT, with the show expected to run for around three and a half hours.
Who will host the 2026 Oscars?
Conan O’Brien has been confirmed as the host of the 98th Academy Awards for what will be his second consecutive year.
Oscars 2026 nominations
Category 1: Actor in a Leading Role
Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme
Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle after Another
Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon
Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent
Category 2: Actor in a Supporting Role
Benicio Del Toro, One Battle after Another
Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein
Delroy Lindo, Sinners
Sean Penn, One Battle after Another
Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value
Category 3: Actress in a Leading Role
Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue
Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value
Emma Stone, Bugonia
Category 4: Actress in a Supporting Role
Elle Fanning, Sentimental Value
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value
Amy Madigan, Weapons
Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners
Teyana Taylor, One Battle after Another
Category 5: Animated Feature Film
Arco
Elio
KPop Demon Hunters
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
Zootopia 2
Category 6: Animated Short Film
Butterfly
Forevergreen
The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Retirement Plan
The Three Sisters
Check out the full 2026 Oscars nominations list.
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