Academy Pushes Oscar Voters to Actually Watch All Nominated Films Under New Rule

Oscar voters will be facing stricter expectations this awards season, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is now requiring its members to confirm they have watched every nominated film in any category they vote on.

An internal email obtained by NBC News — not previously released publicly — outlines the steps the Academy’s more than 10,000 voting members must follow ahead of the final ballot deadline on March 5.

While the Academy has long required verification for certain early-round categories — such as the international feature shortlist — a policy update in April formalised a broader expectation: members must view all nominated films before casting votes.

The Oct. 30 email appears to be the first detailed explanation of how the rule will be enforced. To remain eligible, voters must watch all five nominees in each category they vote in, as well as all ten Best Picture nominees, the Academy said.

“You do not need to save movie stubs, tickets or receipts,” the email notes. “This is an honor system.”

Films watched through the Academy Screening Room (ASR), the organisation’s streaming platform, will be logged automatically. However, if members catch screenings at festivals, FYC events, or regular cinemas, they must manually mark those films as “watched” on ASR, the Academy website, or the official app.

Members will receive notifications indicating which categories they are not yet eligible to vote in if they still have films left unwatched.

Three Academy members told NBC News — anonymously, to avoid professional fallout — that although the intention is sound, enforcement will be challenging. For example, starting a film on the streaming platform counts as “watched,” even if the viewer walks away or never finishes it.

The Academy declined to comment on the policy.

Part of the rationale behind the new rule stems from changing viewing habits. Since 2019, Best Picture nominees have been made available on the Academy Screening Room, giving the organisation clear data on which films members are viewing — and which ones they are not.

The rule also aims to reduce so-called “ballot flooding,” where voters who are fans of a single film mark it in multiple categories without watching competing contenders.

This year’s awards season highlighted the issue. Neon’s Anora swept with wins in five major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. But some insiders question whether voters gave equal attention to quieter nominees like Nickel Boys or Sony Pictures Classics’ I’m Still Here, the latter of which won International Feature and earned actress Fernanda Torres a nomination.

Alongside the voting changes, the Academy has introduced several structural updates. A new Oscar for Achievement in Casting will debut in 2026, and another for Achievement in Stunt Design will be awarded beginning in 2028.

Oscar nominations will be announced January 26, with the 98th Academy Awards set for March 15. Conan O’Brien, who hosted the 2025 ceremony, is slated to return in 2026.