The Academy's New Rule: Watching All Oscar Contenders is Mandatory
Oscar voters are in for a surprise this awards season. An email obtained by NBC News reveals that Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences members must now confirm they've watched all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote. This new rule, which has been in effect since April, is a significant shift from previous practices.
The email, previously undisclosed, outlines the steps over 10,000 voting academy members must take before the final Oscar ballot deadline on March 5. The academy has long required members to watch specific films for preliminary rounds, but now all nominated films in each category must be watched.
The academy emphasizes that this is an honor system, and members don't need to provide proof of watching, like movie stubs or tickets. However, the organization is offering detailed guidance on how to enforce this rule. Members must watch all five films in each category and all 10 in the best picture category. Films watched on the Academy Screening Room (ASR), an academy-run streaming service, will be automatically verified. For other viewing options, members must manually mark films as 'watched' on the streaming service, member website, or academy app.
While the new policy is well-intentioned, some academy members express concerns about enforcement. It's easy for members to start a movie on the streaming service but not necessarily watch it. The academy, however, remains tight-lipped on the matter.
This rule change reflects a broader evolution in how Oscar voters engage with nominated films. In 2019, the academy made its best picture nominees available on ASR, allowing the organization to track viewing patterns. The goal is to prevent biased voting, where members favor certain films across all categories, regardless of their viewing of other contenders.
For instance, Neon's 'Anora' dominated this year's awards, winning five categories. Yet, it's unclear if voters who supported 'Anora' multiple times also watched other contenders like Amazon MGM's 'Nickel Boys' or Sony Pictures Classics' 'I'm Still Here'.
The academy has also introduced new awards, including one for achievement in casting (2026) and stunt design (2028). The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, with Conan O'Brien returning as host in 2026. This year's nominations will be announced on January 26.
