Oscars Preview: Producers Tease ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Sinners’ Celebrations/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Producers of the 98th Academy Awards are planning special celebrations for the films KPop Demon Hunters and Sinners. Host Conan O’Brien will lead a show focused on creativity, humor and the human touch behind filmmaking. The ceremony will also spotlight a new casting award and feature surprise celebrity appearances.
Oscars 2026 Preview Quick Looks
- The 98th Academy Awards will highlight the cultural impact of KPop Demon Hunters.
- The hit song “Golden” will receive a special stage performance.
- Another celebration will focus on the blockbuster film Sinners, the most-nominated movie ever.
- Conan O’Brien returns as host for the 2026 Oscars ceremony.
- Producers say the show will emphasize the human creativity behind filmmaking.
- A new casting award will receive a special “fab five” presentation moment.
- Numerous celebrity presenters have already been confirmed.
- Producers say the ceremony will include several surprise appearances.
- Organizers say strong protocols are in place to handle unexpected live broadcast moments.
- The Oscars aim to balance spectacle with meaningful tributes to film craft.
Deep Look
Oscars Producers Tease Big Celebrations for Hit Films
The producers of the upcoming 98th Academy Awards are preparing a ceremony filled with music, star power and tributes to some of the year’s most influential films.
Two projects in particular — KPop Demon Hunters and Sinners — will receive special moments during the broadcast that go beyond typical awards-show performances.
Raj Kapoor, executive producer and showrunner for the ceremony, said the goal is to celebrate the broader cultural impact of these films rather than simply highlight their nominated songs.
“We have two really unique stories that are going to be celebrated on the stage,” Kapoor said. “They’re bigger than just the songs. They’re really about filmmaking and craft.”
“Golden” Performance Gets Oscars Spotlight
The popular song “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters has already become a global hit, appearing on several major television programs and live events.
Singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami have performed the track on shows hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, as well as at the Brit Awards and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
However, their Oscars performance will take a different approach.
Instead of simply recreating previous live renditions, producers plan to highlight the film’s cultural impact and creative production.
The performance is expected to serve as a tribute to the movie’s success and its influence on global pop culture.
Special Tribute to Sinners
The only other nominated song receiving a featured moment during the broadcast is “I Lied to You” from the blockbuster film Sinners.
The film has become a historic awards contender, earning more nominations than any movie in Oscars history.
Its tribute will bring together a mix of musicians, actors and performers to explore how music helped shape the film’s story.
Participants expected to appear include:
- Miles Caton
- Raphael Saadiq
- Misty Copeland
- Eric Gales
- Buddy Guy
- Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
- Brittany Howard
- Bobby Rush
- Shaboozey
- Alice Smith
- Actors Jayme Lawson and Li Jun Li
Kapoor said filmmaker Ryan Coogler has also played a role in helping develop the segment.
Conan O’Brien Returns as Host
Comedian Conan O’Brien will return as host of the ceremony, bringing his signature humor back to Hollywood’s biggest awards show.
Producers say O’Brien has been actively involved in shaping the tone of the broadcast.
“He’s bursting with ideas,” said executive producer Katy Mullan.
According to Mullan, the team has already experienced plenty of laughter during production meetings.
“His humor, his tone, his reverence for the art form — he really cares about making this a true celebration,” she said.
Focus on the “Human Touch” in Filmmaking
One of the major themes of this year’s ceremony will be the human creativity behind filmmaking.
Kapoor said the production team wants the show to reflect the emotional and artistic connection that movies create.
From stage design to video segments, the ceremony will highlight the people and craftsmanship behind the films being honored.
“It’s really the story of how we feel this connection and how this heartbeat of cinema is unmistakably human,” Kapoor said.
The producers hope viewers will feel that sense of creativity throughout the broadcast.
New Casting Award Gets Special Recognition
This year’s ceremony will also spotlight a new Oscar category recognizing excellence in casting.
To celebrate the addition, producers are bringing back the “fab five” presentation style used in recent ceremonies.
In this format, well-known actors take the stage to introduce nominees and explain the importance of the craft being honored.
Mullan said the segment will provide audiences with greater insight into the role casting directors play in shaping successful films.
“Because it’s a new award, we are going to celebrate that with a moment where we not only have incredible stars talking about the nominees, but also giving us context and insight into what casting directors do,” she said.
Prepared for Unexpected Live Moments
The producers also acknowledged that live television always carries the potential for surprises.
Recent award shows have faced unexpected disruptions, including controversial incidents and unscripted interruptions.
While the producers did not discuss specific contingency plans, they emphasized that strong protocols are in place to handle any issues that might arise.
“We have really strong protocols in place to address issues on our show,” Mullan said.
The production team works closely with both the television network and the Academy to ensure the broadcast can respond quickly to unexpected situations.
Surprise Appearances Planned
The Oscars will feature a long list of celebrity presenters, including:
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Chris Evans
- Javier Bardem
- Maya Rudolph
- Anne Hathaway
- Will Arnett
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas
However, producers say many additional appearances will remain secret until the broadcast.
“If you saw the list of people that are going to be on the stage, it is literally jaw-dropping,” he said.
The producers hope these unexpected appearances will create memorable moments for viewers watching the ceremony live.
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