Oscars Overhaul: Watch Before You Vote

In a bold move to boost fairness, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has instituted a new “watch‑to‑vote” requirement for the 98th Oscars in March 2026. Gone are the days when voters could rely on hearsay or reputations alone—instead, members must now view every nominee in a category before casting their final ballots. Miss one? You simply can’t vote in that category.

How It Works

Viewing will be tracked through the members‑only Academy Screening Room streaming platform. If you catch a film at a festival, private screening, or on another service, you’ll fill out a quick “seen elsewhere” form to log your viewing. This verification process, already in place for international and short‑film categories during nominations, now applies across the board for Best Picture, Acting, Directing, and beyond.

Why the Change Matters 

The goal is to curb “coattail voting,” where films or performances score votes based on past successes or buzz rather than merit. By ensuring voters experience every nominee firsthand, the Academy hopes to reward true craftsmanship—so that each Oscar reflects informed choices, not just momentum.

More Rule Tweaks Ahead

This update is part of a suite of reforms: all individual nominees will now appear on final ballots (no more “just the film” listings), a new Casting award has its own bake‑off process, and cinematography gains a preliminary shortlist. Generative AI tools remain neither boon nor bust—creative authorship still reigns supreme. Together, these changes mark the Academy’s most comprehensive procedural shake‑up in years, aiming to keep Hollywood’s biggest night as credible as it is glamorous.