Roll out the
Red Carpet and prepare the spotlights—
Hollywood’s biggest night is here. As the
Crown Jewel of 2026 award season, the
Oscar nominees spark debate and discussion everywhere from casino betting halls to countless American living rooms. In a year bursting with visionary direction, moving performances, and daring storytelling, the competition is tighter than ever. How does the
Academy Award voting process truly work? We explore the idea that while there may be no outright “bad” movies, some undeniably shine brighter than others. Who earned unexpected nominations, and who was left shockingly snubbed? Will the
Best Animated Feature race be dominated by major studio blockbusters like
Zootopia 2 or
KPop Demon Hunter? Will
Sinners sweep the major awards with its already record‑setting number of nominations? And ultimately, what film will claim the top prize? For movie lovers watching from home, where can they stream this year’s nominees before the big night? Join
Mark Baumgarten,
Vicky Jakubowski,
Juan Sanmiguel, and special guest
Kim Farah as they break down the surprises, controversies, and biggest questions surrounding the
98th Academy Awards.
- To listen to our previous episodes from 2012 to the present, featuring more than 150 celebrity interviews from shows like Doctor Who, Star Trek, Farscape, and others, visit our MarkWHO42 Classic Episodes YouTube playlist!