Film fans baffled as Academy implements key new rule for 2026 Oscars

A key new rule has been implemented ahead of next year’s Oscars, with film fans astounded to discover it wasn’t already in place.

A new mandate has been implemented ahead of the 2026 Oscars, and it’s prompted confusion among film fans as to why it wasn’t already in place.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday, local time, that “Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars.”

Members who lodge votes for the coveted awards will only be able to access final round ballots if they can confirm they have, indeed, watched all nominated films.

‘Anora’ won Best Picture at this year’s Oscars. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Organisers will be enforcing the mandate by monitoring viewer activity via its official screening room platform. If voters have watched nominated films via other avenues – such as at festivals or private events – they must submit proof indicating where and when they viewed the film.

Cue mass confusion among followers as the Academy Awards heads into its 98th ceremony next March.

One user wrote on X, “THEY WEREN’T DOING THAT BEFORE?????????????????????”

“So prior to this they didn’t have to watch all the films? This goes to show that these award shows are not real!” another added.

“Wait what … I thought this was already a rule. since it’s apparently new, were they really voting by drawing movie titles out of a hat?” a third wrote.

Another chimed in, pointing out, “This should have been the rule from the start. How do you vote on winners without even watching all the films.”

Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were both nominated at the 2025 Oscars. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP

Kieran Culkin accepts the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Indeed, the Oscars have been operating on an honour system among its members since their inception, unlike the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), which has mandated viewing for several years now.

Elsewhere among the raft of changes announced, the Academy will, for the first time in its history, present an award for Achievement in Casting.

“To determine the nominees, the Casting Directors Branch will review eligible films and vote to shortlist up to 10 titles, based on the level of creative input and collaboration demonstrated during the casting process,” a statement read.

The board is also addressing the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) use after this year’s nominated films, Emilia Perez and The Brutalist, were found to have used AI during production.

While stopping short of setting rules, the Academy noted in its statement, “With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination.

“The Academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award.”