The Academy Awards have announced a new rule. Credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty
The Oscars is introducing a major new rule set to take effect in 2026, leaving people stunned.
On Monday (April 21), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a new rule for the 2026 Oscars.
Voting members must watch all nominated films in each category before casting their final ballots.
The Academy explained, “Members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round.”
Members can view the films on the Academy’s official screening platform or prove they watched them elsewhere, such as at festivals or private events.
The announcement shocked many film fans.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) asked, “THEY WEREN’T DOING THAT BEFORE?????????????????????”
Another exclaimed, “What? This wasn’t a rule? How the heck do you vote for an Oscar if you didn’t watch all the films? LOL.”
A third criticized, “So prior to this, they didn’t have to watch all the films? This shows award shows aren’t real!”
A fourth user questioned, “This makes me question the integrity of past Oscar wins. Imagine if Dune: Part Two lost because voters skipped a two-hour film or didn’t understand the clip without context.”
Another user added, “Imagine implementing such a rule 97 years into the award’s existence.”
The Oscars have traditionally relied on an honor system for final voting, unlike the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), which has required mandatory viewing for years.
In addition to the new voting rule, the Academy announced a significant change: it will introduce an Oscar for Achievement in Casting.
The Casting Directors Branch will review eligible films and vote to shortlist up to 10 titles, based on creative input and collaboration in casting.
The Academy also addressed artificial intelligence in filmmaking, a topic highlighted this year with Emilia Perez and The Brutalist, both using AI during production.
Though no new restrictions were set, the Academy clarified its position:
“Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools neither help nor harm the chances for a nomination.”
The Academy will focus on the degree of human creative involvement when awarding films.
The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.
