When Are The Oscars 2021? Schedule, Nominations, Winners, How To Watch

The 2021 Oscars ceremony and schedule are unlike previous years, but here’s when the Academy Award nominations are announced, who is likely to win, and the best way to watch the broadcast. COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the film industry, interrupting production schedules, closing theaters, and delaying releases, but the show must go on, and cinema’s night of nights is no exception.

Due to the major impact on the industry since early 2020, the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony has been delayed until April, and the eligibility period and rules have changed, too. For the 2021 Oscars, films released from January 1, 2020, until February 28, 2021, are eligible for inclusion, including those that premiered at drive-ins or on streaming platforms if a theatrical release was not possible. This means the Oscars eligibility period has been extended by two months on top of the usual calendar year period.

Despite many films moving out by more than a year, and thus becoming ineligible, there are plenty of stellar movies queuing up for recognition from the sometimes controversial Academy Awards and big names hoping this will be their year for Academy Award glory. The question is who will take home the gold. Here’s everything you need to know about the Oscars in 2021.

When The Oscars 2021 Nominations Will Be Announced?

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will make their long-awaited announcement of the 2021 Oscar nominations on Monday, March 15. The Academy will outline the finalists in every category on this date, Cinema fans can usually watch the announcement live stream on the Oscars website, or on social media including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

When The Oscars 2021 Ceremony Takes Place (& What Time It Starts)

The 93d Academy Awards Ceremony has a new date in 2021, taking place on Sunday, April 25, 2021, commencing at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time / 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time. As always, the ceremony itself will be preceded by red carpet arrivals from 3:30 p.m. PDT / 6:30 p.m. EDT, though what that looks like in the times of COVID-19 is yet to be seen, and there may be some creative programming on the part of producers of the event. While the event will inevitably see changes, there could still be performances through the ceremony from stars like Hamilton‘s Leslie Odom, Jr. and Janelle Monáe. The ceremony is scheduled to end at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET, though the Academy has often been criticized for the broadcast overrunning its allotted time.

Will The Oscars 2021 Have An In-Person Ceremony?

The Academy plans to hold an in-person ceremony from a range of locations, including the classic Oscars ceremony venue since 2002, the Dolby Theatre. In a statement, the Academy said the following regarding the 2021 ceremony:

“In this unique year that has asked so much of so many, the Academy is determined to present an Oscars like none other, while prioritizing the public health and safety of all those who will participate…. To create the in-person show our global audience wants to see, while adapting to the requirements of the pandemic, the ceremony will broadcast live from multiple locations, including the landmark Dolby Theatre. We look forward to sharing more details soon.”

It appears that the Academy is doing whatever it can to present the show cinema fans know and love (and critique) every year. While last year’s ceremony is remembered as one of the last normal major events before the world closed down to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, the Emmys Ceremony in 2020 might give some indication of what this year’s Oscars could look like. That show hosted memorable performances alongside its awards.

How To Watch Oscars 2021 Online

In the United States, the 2021 Oscars ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC, bringing together live feeds from each of the in-person locations around the country. Viewers will be able to tune in via the ABC channel, online at the ABC website, or in the ABC app. It will also be available to stream on AT&T TV now, Hulu, and YouTube TV. More than 225 countries and territories worldwide will have their own broadcast arrangements in place. In the UK, the Oscars will air on BSkyB. In Canada, CTV/Bell Media will show the Oscars. In Australia, 7 Network will air the ceremony. For other countries, visit the Oscars’ international how-to-watch page.

Who The Oscars 2021 Frontrunners Are

With in-person promotional events curtailed, this has been a very different awards season from any other. While it’s not necessarily unusual for the HFPA ceremony, the Golden Globes had a number of snubs and surprises which could have resulted from the altered lead-up to the event. There are sure to be winners who defy expectations on Oscars night, but there are some pretty solid front runners who will likely be nominated, and will potentially win the top prizes.

Likely Best Picture nominees:Nomadland, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Minari, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, One Night In Miami, Sound of Metal, and News of the World.

Likely Best Director nominees: Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), Aaron Sorkin (The Trial of the Chicago 7), David Fincher (Mank), Lee Isaac Chung (Minari), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman)

Likely Best Actress nominees: Frances McDormand (Nomadland), Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman), Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman), Rosamund Pike (I Care A Lot)

Likely Best Actor nominees: Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Gary Oldman (Mank), Stephen Yuen (Minari).

Likely Best Supporting Actress nominees: Glenn Close (Hillbilly Elegy), Youn Yuh-jung (Minari), Olivia Colman (The Father), Amanda Seyfried (Mank), Jodie Foster (The Mauritanian)

Likely Best Supporting Actor nominees: Leslie Odom, Jr. (One Night In Miami), Sacha Baron Cohen (The Trial of the Chicago 7), Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah), Paul Raci (Sound of Metal)

Likely Best Animated Feature nominees:Wolfwalkers, Soul, Onward, The Croods: A New Age, Earwig and the Witch.

About The Author

Mitch Brook
(75 Articles Published)

Mitch Brook is Features Editor for film and TV at Screen Rant. He’s a writer and editor with a history in a range of media, including as editor for travel and lifestyle titles. The movies he always comes back to are Little Women (2019), Orlando, A Single Man, and The Lord of the Rings.

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