Conan O’Brien will return to host Oscars 2026

Conan O’Brien is set to make a grand return to the Oscars stage in 2026. The beloved late-night host and comedian will once again preside over the prestigious 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, as announced by the film academy’s leadership.

In a statement, O’Brien humorously quipped, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.” This decision comes on the heels of O’Brien’s successful debut as host of the Oscars earlier this year, which drew in its largest broadcast audience in five years, despite the winning film, “Anora,” being relatively small in scale.

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony garnered an estimated 19.7 million viewers, with a notable increase in viewership among the 18 to 49 age demographic, driven by mobile and laptop streaming from younger audiences. It also claimed the title of the most-watched prime-time entertainment show of 2025.

Craig Erwich, the president of Disney Television Group, expressed his excitement for O’Brien’s return, stating, “Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment, and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance.”

For the upcoming Oscars in 2026, O’Brien will be joined by a familiar team, with Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan returning as executive producers, and Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney as producers. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang commended the team’s work on this year’s broadcast and expressed their delight in collaborating with them once again.

Kramer and Yang praised the team for producing a visually stunning show that celebrated the nominees and global film community in a beautiful and impactful manner. They lauded O’Brien as the perfect host, skillfully guiding the audience through the evening with humor, warmth, and reverence.

The Oscars also saw success in social media metrics, surpassing both the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl, according to organizers. Additionally, the show was live-streamed on Hulu for the first time, though it was not without technical hiccups.

The early announcement of next year’s hosting and producing teams, less than a month after the previous Oscars, marks a departure from the film academy and ABC’s usual timeline. Fans can look forward to another memorable Oscars ceremony with Conan O’Brien at the helm in 2026.