After a scaled-back pandemic-era ceremony last year, the Oscars are back in full swing in 2022.
Hollywood’s big night will put a spotlight on some of the year’s most significant movies and stars.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Oscars:
When Are the 2022 Oscars?
The 94th annual Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 27 live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This gives you ample time to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies now!
Who Is Hosting?
For the first time in four years, the Oscars will have a host. Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes were confirmed as co-hosts for the awards ceremony, reports CNN. Schumer announced the news on "Good Morning America," stating that she was "not sure who thought this was a good idea, but I am hosting the Oscars along with my good friends Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall," before quipping that she had "better go watch some movies."
The last Academy Award host was Jimmy Kimmel, who headed the show in 2017 and 2018. Chris Rock hosted in 2016, Neil Patrick Harris in 2015 and Ellen DeGeneres in 2014.
Where can you watch the 2022 Oscars?
This year’s show airs on your local ABC station. But if you don’t have access, all is not lost. Streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV will allow you to watch the Oscars live. If you already have a Hulu + Live TV subscription, you have access to ABC.
Otherwise, both Hulu and FuboTV have 7-day free trials to test out the service.
Who Is Nominated?
Leading the pack of nominees is “The Power of Dog” with 12 nominations, “Dune” with 10 nods, “West Side Story” and “Belfast” with seven, and“King Richard” with six.
Other films nominated for Best Picture include “Coda,” “Don’t Look Up,” Nightmare Alley,” and “Licorice Pizza.”
Netflix snagged a whopping 27 nominations, slightly down from last year, followed by Disney with 23.
Other highlights include Andrew Garfield for “Tick, Tick… Boom!” and Denzel Washington for “The Tragedy of Macbeth” in the Best Actor category.
Kristen Stewart scored her first nomination for “Spencer.” Jessie Buckley, Aunjanue Ellis and Ariana DeBose are all also first-time nominees in the best supporting actress category.
Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, and Reba McEntire will also compete for 'Best Original Song’.
See the full list of nominees here!
Who Was Snubbed?
Lady Gaga’s name has been left out of the nominees for “Best Actress,” which has led to an uproar across Twitter and various conversations online. Fans were taken aback that she didn’t garner a nomination for her performance as Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci.”
“House of Gucci’s” Jared Leto also didn’t earn a nomination.
Kevin Smith was also displeased with the Academy for snubbing “Spider-Man: No Way Home” for Best Picture despite the film being the number one film this year and one of the highest-grossing films ever made.
Other snubs included Caitriona Balfe for Best Supporting Actress in “Belfast,” Bradley Cooper in “Licorice Pizza” and Ben Affleck in “The Tender Bar” for Best Supporting Actor, and Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi for Best Original Song, per Entertainment Weekly.
No COVID-19 vaccination proof required
One thing that won’t be in attendance at the big show? COVID-19 vaccinations.
When the biggest stars in Hollywood gather, they will not need to provide proof of vaccination to attend the event, the Hollywood Reporter notes.
They will, however, require attendees to show a negative PCR test or negative rapid antigen test the day of the ceremony.
This is a stark difference from other award shows of the year – like the SAG Awards and the Critics Choice Awards – that are requiring full vaccination status.
History Will Be Made
There are a handful of significant firsts being made at the 2022 Oscars.
Troy Kotsur is the first deaf actor nominated for Best Supporting Actor for “Coda,” which stands for Child of Deaf Adults. Kotsur stars as Frank, the father of 17-year-old Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones), the only hearing person in the family, according to SimpleMost.
Denzel Washington’s nomination in the Best Actor category for his work on “The Tragedy of Macbeth” makes him the most-nominated Black actor in Oscar history with a total of 10 nominations. But despite all those noms, the star hasn't taken home an Academy Award home in over two decades.
Finally, Ari Wegner is the second-ever female cinematographer in Oscars history. She is nominated for her work in “The Power of the Dog.”
The Fans Get a Say
The Academy isn’t the only one voting! Starting Monday, February 14, audiences will get to vote for their favorite films released in 2021, even if they weren't nominated for an Oscar. You can cast a vote via Twitter using the hashtag #OscarsFanFavorite. The film that gets the most votes by March 3 will get a shout out during the awards broadcast!
Three Twitter users who cast votes will be selected along with guests for an all-expenses paid trip to LA to present an Oscar award at the ceremony in 2023, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
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