Oscars 2026: UK timings, nominations and how to watch the red carpet with Penélope Cruz
The biggest night in cinema is just around the corner. This Sunday, Hollywood gets all dressed up for the 98th Academy Awards, and for film lovers it’s an unmissable date. If there’s one Spanish face set to shine on the red carpet, it’s undoubtedly Penélope Cruz. The Madrid-born actress, Almodóvar’s muse and international star, has already proven she knows how to own Oscars night. But she won’t be the only highlight: the 2026 edition arrives packed with emotion, surprises and a host of films that have really got people talking.
Where and when to watch the 2026 Oscars in the UK?
For those who don’t want to miss a single moment, the ceremony takes place in the early hours of Monday 16 March (which means staying up late on Sunday night!). UK viewers can watch it live on Movistar Plus+ (if you have access) or via various streaming platforms that may carry the international feed. The red carpet gets underway just after 11:00pm UK time on Sunday, and the main ceremony itself will start around midnight. So, you know the drill: get the popcorn ready, clear your Monday morning schedule, and settle in for the ride.
A big year for Spanish cinema: Penélope and the BAFTA & Grammy connections
Beyond Penélope’s almost-guaranteed presence (she’s been tipped as a possible category presenter), Spanish cinema has strong chances in several technical categories – and who knows, maybe a late surprise or two. The link with the BAFTA Awards has been especially strong this year: several European co-productions with Spanish involvement made waves in London, and that’s often a reliable Oscars barometer. And while the Grammy Awards are a different story, the score for one of the nominated films (composed by Spain’s Alberto Iglesias) picked up a gramophone back in February, so expectations are sky-high.
Nominated films: the frontrunners and where to stream them
Every film buff’s headache is arriving at the ceremony without having seen the key contenders. Luckily, this year the streaming services have been on the ball, and almost all the nominees are available on some platform. Here’s a rundown of the films generating the most buzz and where you can find them from the comfort of your sofa:
- ‘The Last Beat’ (Best Picture favourite) – Available on Netflix.
- ‘Wild Frontier’ (12 nominations) – Streaming on Prime Video.
- ‘Silk Dreams’ (nominated for Best Director and Best Actress) – On Filmin.
- ‘The Water’s Shadow’ (cinematography and visual effects) – On Disney+.
- ‘The Wind Archives’ (Best Original Screenplay) – Available to rent on Apple TV and Movistar Plus+.
So there’s really no excuse not to have done your homework. But if you don’t have time to watch them all, you can always make a note and catch up afterwards – they’re shaping up to be some of the year’s best.
The red carpet: fashion, gifts and the odd style surprise
If there’s one thing we love as much as the statuettes, it’s the parade of gowns and the viral moments on the red carpet. This year, rumour has it the dress code will be bolder than ever, with plenty of Spanish designers (Palomo Spain, Delpozo) dressing the stars. Plus, the tradition of gift bags for nominees is back in the spotlight: word has it they range from cutting‑edge cosmetic procedures to luxury retreats in Mallorca. We’ll have to keep an eye out for the looks of surprise when hosts crack a joke about it.
From the Oscars to The Actor Awards: the performers’ podium
Let’s not forget that in recent weeks we’ve also had The Actor Awards, the prizes voted for by actors themselves – often a very reliable predictor of what will happen at the Dolby Theatre. The winners in the supporting categories are already shaping up as the hot favourites to take home an Oscar. If you fancy a flutter with friends, look at what happened at those awards: 80% of the time, the winner repeats.
What if you can’t stay up late? Round‑ups and social media
For those with early starts on Monday or who just can’t handle the late night, social media and digital outlets will have minute‑by‑minute summaries. But watching the ceremony live has a special magic: the off‑the‑cuff speeches, the technical glitches, the spontaneous hugs – moments that become memes and part of film history. So there you have it: this Sunday night is all about movies, popcorn and heaps of excitement. Curtain up on the 98th Academy Awards!