It's almost showtime
• Academy Awards: The 2026 Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood tonight, with late night legend Conan O’Brien returning as host.
• Wide open races: After a wild award season, it’s anybody’s guess who will take home the prize in several top categories, including the best picture race headlined by “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners.” You can fill out your own Oscars ballot here.
• Red carpet: Big stars are arriving on an unseasonably hot day in Los Angeles, and a bunch of them stopped to chat with CNN during our red carpet coverage with Variety. Check out some of the night’s most striking looks in the photo gallery above.
• Safety measures: Law enforcement and Oscars organizers are assuring visitors that security is tight surrounding this year’s event, in light of the war with Iran and recent terror attacks.
Elle Fanning strikes an ethereal note in Givenchy
Elle Fanning’s wintery princess gown was designed by Givenchy. She really knows how to channel this ethereal quality through her styling, and the trailing, shimmering vines on this white gown, as well as the diamond leaf collar necklace, are just to her taste.
Fanning is nominated tonight for her supporting role in “Sentimental Value.”
"Hamnet" star Jessie Buckley shares her thoughts on a possible speech tonight
“Hamnet” leading lady Jessie Buckley, nominated for best actress tonight, arrived on the Oscars red carpet “so full of joy” in a Chanel dress that mixed red satin around her shoulders with an ethereal pale pink skirt.
“I feel so proud of this film. I feel so proud to be an artist,” Buckley said. “I just have full intention to have a great time and celebrate everybody tonight.”
The Irish actor is the favorite in her category going into the award ceremony, as she has swept this award season for her work in “Hamnet,” notching wins in the lead actress category at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, Actor Awards and the BAFTAs.
Buckley’s two-toned gown was inspired by Grace Kelly, she told CNN and Variety on the red carpet. “I feel like, just free and feminine and full of joy,” she said.
“Hamnet” is a historical drama where Buckley plays a grief-stricken mother and wife to William Shakespeare. The film explores themes of grief, motherhood and the redemptive power of storytelling.
In her bag, Buckley said she’s carrying her favorite sonnet by Shakespeare, which Chanel put on a piece of tissue. Here’s how it goes:
When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time’s waste
CNN’s Alli Rosenbloom and Dan Heching contributed to this report.
Photos: See these Oscar-nominated movies like you never have before
A former Marine, a photojournalist who has covered war and a man who got his start documenting the lives of gang members in Los Angeles had a hand in some of the most lauded films of the year, but their work doesn’t live on the big screen.
As unit or set photographers, Eli Joshua Adé, Agata Grzybowska and Merrick Morton were tasked with capturing the action and atmosphere on the sets of three of this year’s Oscar-nominated films: “Sinners,” “Hamnet” and “One Battle After Another,” respectively. Their stunning images — haunting, ethereal and bold — speak to the historic nature of the films, and are a testament to the photographers’ own thoughtful approaches to their work.
Demi Moore’s Gucci feather gown is a showstopper
Demi Moore’s Oscars plumage is courtesy of Gucci. We’ve seen her in big sculptural necklines lately, including her Schiaparelli gown at the Actors Awards, and tonight’s iridescent dark green gown continues her streak of bold red-carpet style. We also noticed an uptick of feathers on runways this season, and that is definitely translating to the red carpet tonight.
Kumail Nanjiani debunks the wildest rumor he's heard about his dating life
Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani picked a random question from a bowl on the CNN and Variety red carpet pre-show.
He took the opportunity to debunk the “most ridiculous” rumor he’s heard about himself — that he’s dating former first lady Michelle Obama:
Kumail Nanjiani debunked the rumor he was dating Michelle Obama at the Oscars red carpet with CNN/Variety.
Horror movies have had a scary good year. That might be evident in tonight’s winners
Back in the late 1960s and ’70s, horror had a moment in the sun when it came to award recognition, with films like “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Exorcist” and “Jaws” receiving major acclaim.
While there has been some recognition of films in the genre in the time since — “The Silence of the Lambs,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Black Swan,” “Get Out” and, most recently, “The Substance” — horror has had a tough time breaking through at major award shows.
That has changed with this year’s critical darling “Sinners.”
Despite coming out in the summer months, a time often long forgotten come award season, Ryan Coogler’s period hybrid horror hit has enjoyed overwhelmingly positive and consistent word-of-mouth buzz. The movie, which follows Black twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) who open a juke joint in rural Mississippi during the Great Depression, has broken the record for most Oscar nominations with 16, including best film and best director.
Another performer with strong momentum from the horror genre this year is Amy Madigan, who plays the terrifying yet fascinating Aunt Gladys in “Weapons.” The movie has earned praise in particular for Madigan’s featured performance as the central villain, dominating social media algorithms last year with makeup tutorials and ubiquitous Halloween costume tributes.
Wunmi Mosaku, whose performance as Annie helped root “Sinners” in heritage, magic and heart, joins Madigan as another magically inclined horror film character in the supporting actress category.
CNN’s Lisa Respers France and Alli Rosenbloom contributed to this report.
Odessa A'zion is "excited" to sleep again after the Oscars
“Marty Supreme” breakout star Odessa A’zion just wants to sleep.
That’s at least what she is looking forward to once the Oscars are over and this year’s very busy awards circuit comes to a close.
“I think that I feel like everyone that has been on this journey together is excited to be able to sleep again,”
A’zion added that she thinks everyone in the “Supreme” cast “really enjoyed seeing everyone have their really big life memorable moments for themselves,” and that they enjoyed being able to “cheer each other on.”
“That’s been really, really cool,” she said.
A’zion arrived in a plunging black Valentino look with glittering appliqué that she said she chose because it excited her. “I’m not going to wear something I’m not into,” she said.
“Marty Supreme” stars A’zion, Oscar-nominee tonight Timothée Chalamet, Tyler, The Creator, Fran Drescher and Gwyneth Paltrow. It is nominated for nine gongs tonight, including best picture.
“Culture, Korea, gold,” is what viewers can expect from “KPop Demon Hunters” tonight
The golden girls of “KPop Demon Hunters” are performing tonight, and what we know so far is that the film’s singers will deliver “culture, Korea, gold.”
At least that’s what singer-songwriter EJAE told CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeigster and Variety’s Ramin Setoodeh on the red carpet tonight.
The performance will be “multi-generational,” “deep-rooted” and filled with love, Audrey Nuna added.
In pictures: Scenes from the red carpet
Excitement is building outside the Dolby Theatre as stars begin arriving on the red carpet.
Check out some of the views that you don’t always see on TV:
One of the women behind "Sinners" gets high praise from its creator
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan took to the stage recently at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood 2026 event to pay tribute to the women who helped make their film “Sinners” a success.
One of them has a special place in Coogler’s heart.
The creator and director of the hit film spoke lovingly of his wife, Zinzi Evans, who served as a producer on the project.
He noted that she put in a phenomenal amount of work on the film while pregnant and postpartum, including helping to promote the film while she was well into her pregnancy.
His praise led to tears for his wife, who watched emotionally from the audience.
The couple share three children.
Wagner Moura on what it would mean to become first Brazilian to win Oscar for best actor
“The Secret Agent” actor Wagner Moura says that while he doesn’t know whether he’ll take home the Oscar for best actor, he’s just “happy to be here.”
If Moura wins, he’d make history by becoming the first Brazilian actor to take home the award in this category. Moura said his potential win “would mean something to young actors from Latin America, not only from Brazil.”
“They can feel that they belong to this. They deserve to be in this, on those stages, you know, in the world,” he said. “I hope that that’s what happens.”
Renate Reinsve’s red Louis Vuitton gown is both minimal and bold
It’s not always easy to pull off all red on the red carpet, but best actress nominee Renate Reinsve has gone for a high-slit custom Louis Vuitton gown that, despite being minimal, is anything but quiet. She skipped a necklace and opted for a matching red lip, which really draws the eye to the silhouette of the gown.
Reinsve is hoping to win her first Academy Award for her role in Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value,” which is nominated for nine awards tonight.
Ken Jeong gave us a rendition of "Golden" on the red carpet
CNN talks to “KPop Demon Hunters” voice actor Ken Jeong on the Oscars red carpet. Jeong said he’s been pleasantly surprised that the movie has become a pop cultural phenomenon — and he showed off his singing voice:
Joel Edgerton of “Train Dreams” on who he’s rooting for tonight and his belief in aliens
Australian actor Joel Edgerton has a theory when it comes to aliens: They are already living among humans.
As for who the “Train Dreams” actor is rooting for tonight, he told Setoodeh “us,” including filmmaker Clint Bentley, who’s up for best adapted screenplay.
When asked by CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister what being nominated for best picture tonight means, Bentley said “it’s insane.”
You can watch the CNN and Variety pre-show in the video player at the top of this page.
Lewis Pullman says filming "Spaceballs 2" was the "most fun" he's ever had
Lewis Pullman, the son of Hollywood vet Bill Pullman, had the time of his life appearing in the long-awaited sequel to 1987’s “Spaceballs,” in which his father starred.
Working on the film was “some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a film set,” Lewis Pullman told CNN, adding that it was “the hardest I’ve ever laughed.”
The movie, he said, “injected the truth” of the original film thanks to director Josh Greenbaum. “There’s nobody who could have done it better,” he said of Greenbaum.
“It’s very exciting,” he also said. “I think it’s going to be as fun to watch as it was to make.”
The cult film also starred ’80s icon Rick Moranis, who – along with Bill Pullman – is also returning for “Spaceballs 2,” something Lewis Pullman is proud to witness, saying, “We got him out of his woodshed and into the sun and he’s better than ever.”
Pullman is at the Oscars on Sunday to present with his father, an experience he said is “really special for us.”
Shaboozey pairs pearls with a Campillo tuxedo
Shaboozey has gone bold for each of his red carpet debuts, and his first appearance at the Oscars does not disappoint.
The genre-bending musical artist — who will perform as part of a tribute to the “Sinners” soundtrack — is wearing a tuxedo by the Mexico City-based label Campillo, which previously dressed him for the 2024 BET Awards, among other events. However, it’s also an Oscars red carpet debut for the designer Patricio Campillo, according to his Instagram.
Shaboozey has finished off the ensemble with a spate of accessories including pearl drop earrings and glittering brooches.
Timothée Chalamet had an “accidentally positive” effect on ballet, opera, Josh Groban says
As Timothée Chalamet faces criticism for saying “no one cares” about ballet and opera, Josh Groban told CNN and Variety the uproar had an “accidentally positive” effect, galvanizing people to talk about and celebrate the arts:
Best actress hopeful Rose Byrne wears an elegant floral Dior gown
Rose Byrne, nominated for best actress tonight, is elevating the black red carpet gown with this striking floral detailing from Dior. Her curvilinear necklace complementing the swoop of the top bloom is particularly lovely.
Byrne is nominated for her role in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick you,” a portrait of an overextended mother whose life is falling apart.
CNN’s Dan Heching contributed to this report.
It's unseasonably warm on the red carpet. CNN is here to help
Celebrities are arriving to an unseasonably warm red carpet, as Southern California experiences a heat wave this weekend.
We’re doing our part to keep the stars cool when they appear on CNN’s live pre-show with Variety: Host Elizabeth Wagmeister has been giving interviewees including Shaboozey and Felicity Jones a cool breeze with her trusty portable fan.
More on the forecast: The heat comes courtesy of a strong area of high pressure, or ridge, in the upper atmosphere — also known as a heat dome. This weather feature is likely to park over the West without moving much for up to two weeks.
The National Weather Service warned that Southern California is predicted to experience temperatures as much as 20 to 30 degrees above average for this time of year during the course of the next two weeks.
Photos: Inside the making of an Oscar statuette
It’s one of the most famous trophies in the world.
The Oscar statuette has been honoring the best in film since 1929. But its production — and materials — have changed over the years.
Photographer Christopher Payne went behind the scenes to see how each statuette is made.
