The excitement is building as Conan O’Brien makes his highly anticipated return as the host of the Oscars for the 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, 2026. Following his successful stint at this year's ceremony, reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, prompting the Academy to invite him back to the iconic Dolby Theatre.

This announcement, made by the Academy’s CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang, also confirms that the Emmy-winning producing duo of Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will reprise their roles as the creative leads for the show—a decision celebrated for the uh, successful and visually stunning experience they crafted this year.

O’Brien delivered his characteristic wit in the statement, humorously noting, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.” Brody, who won Best Actor for his performance in “The Brutalist,” delivered the longest acceptance speech in Oscar history, making O’Brien's return for comedic relief all the more fitting.

The recent Oscars ceremony saw a surge in viewership, drawing in nearly 19.7 million viewers, the highest ratings for the event in five years. Not only did it shine on broadcast, but it also dominated social media, amassing over 104 million interactions—outperforming both the Grammys and the Super Bowl in online engagement.

Disney Television Group's President Craig Erwich praised O’Brien’s “unforgettable performance,” highlighting his comedic approach to capturing the essence of the evening. He expressed excitement for O’Brien's return, stating, “Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment, and I’m thrilled to have him back to helm another memorable performance next year.”

Looking ahead, Kapoor and Mullan have promised to deliver an equally dazzling celebration of cinema for the 98th Oscars. “We are both honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars,” they said, eager to explore new opportunities to celebrate the nominees and the impact of film worldwide.

O’Brien’s illustrious career spans decades and includes hosting the popular podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” and the travel series “Conan O’Brien Must Go” on HBO/Max. He is also set to star in the upcoming feature film “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” further illustrating his versatility as a performer.

As for the Oscar nominations, while it's too early to predict which films will take center stage, 2026 is shaping up to be an excellent year for cinema. Variety has highlighted an exciting array of potential contenders, ranging from high-budget blockbusters like Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked: For Good” to Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of the acclaimed novel “Hamnet.” Additionally, film aficionados can look forward to two interpretations of the Frankenstein tale—one from Guillermo del Toro featuring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, and another from Maggie Gyllenhaal starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale.

Mark your calendars! The 98th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT from the renowned Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood. Don’t miss what promises to be an unforgettable night of glamour, humor, and cinematic celebration!