New Rule: Academy Voters Have To Watch Movies Before Picking Oscar Winners

The Oscars are yet enforcing what galore assumed was already a rule. Starting successful 2026, Academy members must watch each nominated movie successful a class earlier they’re allowed to ballot for a winner.

The Oscar voting norm alteration comes aft years of disapproval complete voters casting ballots. The caller argumentation could purpose to amended fairness and transparency successful nan awards process.

Internet reacts to overdue Oscar voting requirement

Many online users were stunned nan request wasn’t already successful place. Comments for illustration “They weren’t doing that before?” quickly made nan rounds connected societal media.

Previously, The Associated Press says members were only encouraged to watch nominees and ballot successful categories they felt qualified for. 

Some voters moreover admitted to skipping awesome films. Ahead of nan 2025 Oscars, 1 head told Entertainment Weekly:

“I’m bummed because I haven’t seen ‘The Substance’ aliases ‘I’m Still Here’ yet. The first ‘Dune,’ I couldn’t get through; I’m not rushing for different 3 hours of ‘Dune.’ There’s still clip to re-evaluate, but I really struggled [with nan vote].”

Academy monitoring viewership going forward

According to Variety, nan Oscar voting norm alteration will beryllium enforced done nan Academy’s backstage streaming platform, nan Screening Room. If a elector watches a nominated movie elsewhere, they must taxable a shape confirming wherever and erstwhile they viewed it.

The Academy elaborate nan norm update successful a press release issued Monday, April 21.

New AI guidelines and different Oscar updates

Alongside nan Oscar voting norm change, nan Academy besides clarified its stance connected artificial intelligence. Tools for illustration generative AI won’t thief aliases wounded a film’s chances, but nan Academy says nan grade of quality authorship will matter erstwhile judging nominations.

Several different updates were included successful nan announcement:

• In nan Animated Short Film category, immoderate Academy personnel tin now ballot successful nan information information if they’ve watched each 15 shortlisted films.
• In Cinematography, a caller preliminary voting information will constrictive nan class to a shortlist of 10 to 20 films.
• In International Feature Film, eligibility has expanded to see filmmakers pinch exile aliases asylum status.

These updates travel different caller headlines from nan Academy, including nan preamble of a Stunt Design category group to debut astatine nan 100th Oscars successful 2028. Conan O’Brien is besides group to return arsenic big for nan 2026 ceremony.