Conan O’Brien Set to Make a Triumphant Oscars Return in 2026

LOS ANGELES — Conan O’Brien will return to the Oscars stage as the host of the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026. This announcement was made by the film academy’s leadership on Monday, marking O’Brien’s second stint as host, following a successful debut earlier this year.

“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien quipped in a statement. This year’s Oscars attracted 19.7 million viewers, the largest audience in five years, according to ABC. The ceremony benefited from the appeal of the film “Anora,” a relatively small but impactful winner, particularly resonating with viewers aged 18 to 49.

Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, praised O’Brien’s comedic approach. “Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment,” Erwich said. “I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year.”

Returning alongside O’Brien are executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, with Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney also returning as producers. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their enthusiasm in a joint statement, recognizing the team’s success in creating an entertaining and visually stunning show that honored the global film community.

This year’s Oscars not only drew a large audience but also outperformed major events like the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl in social media engagement. The ceremony was streamed live on Hulu for the first time, a move that attracted some technical hiccups but added to the event’s reach.

The early announcement of the hosting and producing teams comes less than a month after the previous ceremony, a departure from the typical timing of such decisions by the film academy and ABC.