Academy lists 201 titles eligible for Best Picture at the 98th Oscars
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the long list of titles now eligible for Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards. The roster runs to 201 films and includes a mix of Hollywood heavyweights, festival darlings and international releases — notably Indian entries such as Tanvi the Great and Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1.
What this means for Indian cinema
Seeing Indian films on the Academy’s eligibility list is a boost for the country’s film industry and its global visibility. Both Tanvi the Great and Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 made their mark at the box office and on the festival circuit, and their inclusion signals that they met the Academy’s technical and release requirements.
In practical terms, being on the eligible list doesn’t guarantee a nomination — it simply means a film can be voted on by Academy members. From this pool, voters will narrow down nominees across categories, including Best Picture, acting, directing and technical awards.
Why theatrical runs still matter
Theatre screenings remain central to Oscar eligibility. Even as streaming reshaped how films reach audiences, the Academy maintains rules that prioritize theatrical exhibition. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key theatrical rules that determine whether a film qualifies for Best Picture consideration:
- Feature length requirement: A film must be a feature (typically more than 40 minutes) to be considered for Best Picture.
- Qualifying theatrical run: The film must have a commercial theatrical run in Los Angeles County for at least seven consecutive days with paid admission.
- Public exhibition: Screenings must be advertised and open to the public with standard ticket prices; special or private screenings usually don’t count.
- Formats accepted: Both traditional film and digital projection are acceptable, provided the screenings meet the paid, public-run rules.
- Streaming-first releases: Films that premiered on streaming or VOD can still qualify, but they must complete the Academy’s required theatrical run to be eligible for Best Picture.
These rules ensure that films have a theatrical presence in the U.S. — particularly in Los Angeles — before entering the Oscar conversation. For many international titles, a short qualifying run in Los Angeles is a strategic move to secure eligibility.
What comes next for the 201 eligible titles
Now that the Academy has published the eligibility list, voting members will begin screening and considering titles for nominations. The field will gradually narrow as ballots are cast and nominations announced. For filmmakers and distributors, getting onto the eligible list is the first step in a longer awards campaign that includes screenings for Academy members, targeted publicity and awards-season positioning.
Why this list matters beyond nominations
Being on the list raises a film’s profile among international audiences, distributors and critics. For Indian films like Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and Tanvi the Great, inclusion can open doors for wider theatrical runs overseas, festival invitations and greater media attention — all helpful when competing for nominations and awards.
Final thoughts
The 201-title list highlights the diversity of cinema in the race for the 98th Academy Awards. While the theatrical rules may seem technical, they continue to shape which films get a shot at Oscar glory. For fans of Bollywood and Indian cinema, seeing homegrown titles on the list is encouraging — and the awards season ahead will determine which of them make the final leap to nomination day.
