Conan O’Brien will return to the Academy Awards stage for a second consecutive year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday. Following the success of this month’s Oscars, which saw nearly 20 million viewers and a slight boost in ratings, the late-night comedy legend will once again lead the star-studded ceremony in 2026.
The announcement was made by Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang, who expressed their enthusiasm for O’Brien’s return as host for the 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, 2026. In a joint statement, they praised the comedian’s performance during this year’s ceremony, describing how he “skillfully guided us through” the evening, which featured the indie film Anora claiming the coveted Best Picture award.
In addition to Anora‘s triumph, the night also saw Adrien Brody win Best Actor for his performance in The Brutalist. Brody made history with the longest acceptance speech ever at the Oscars, clocking in at five minutes and 40 seconds. Reflecting on the moment, O’Brien humorously remarked in the press release, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.”
With a successful run as host and the promise of more laughs and memorable moments to come, O’Brien’s return is already highly anticipated for the 2026 ceremony.
