Today is a historic day for Indian cinema! The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has officially set the stage for the 98th Academy Awards, and India is shining bright on the global stage. From the hills of Tulunadu to the heartland of Bollywood, Indian stories are finally getting the world’s attention.

If you are a movie lover, this is the most exciting news of 2026. Let’s dive into the details of which Indian movies made it to the eligibility list and what to expect from the big Oscar night.

98th Oscar Indian Movies Selected for Nominations List

This year, the competition was tough, but Indian films showed incredible strength. The main highlight is Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, which successfully reached the final shortlist of 15 films for the Best International Feature Film category.

As of today, January 22, 2026, the world is waiting for the live announcement to see which of these eligible films will secure a final “Nomination.”

List of Movies Sent from India for Oscar Nominations 2026

The journey to the Oscars is long and difficult. For 2026, Indian cinema saw massive participation.

• How many movies were sent? The Film Federation of India (FFI) reviewed over 29 movie submissions from various languages. From this list, “Homebound” was chosen as India’s Official Entry.

• The Eligibility List: Apart from the official entry, other films can enter via “General Entry.” Out of 317 eligible films globally, 5 Indian films met the strict “Reminder List” criteria to be eligible for the prestigious Best Picture category.

• The Result: Being “Eligible” means the Academy members can now vote for these films to be “Nominated.” India’s Homebound is the only one to have already cleared the “Shortlist” hurdle, placing it in the top 15 in the world for its category!

Oscar Ceremony Date, Venue, and Host Details 2026

The world is waiting for “Oscar Sunday.” Here are the official details for the 98th Academy Awards:

• Date: March 15, 2026

• Venue: The iconic Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles.

• Host: The legendary comedian Conan O’Brien is returning to host the show for the second year in a row!

Indian Audience Expectations for Oscars 2026

The craze in India is at an all-time high! After the global success of RRR a few years ago, Indian fans believe we are in a “Golden Era.” Social media is trending with hashtags like #Oscars2026 and #Homebound. Fans are especially excited about Homebound because it is directed by the National Award winner Neeraj Ghaywan, and Kantara: Chapter 1 because of its deep roots in Indian folklore. There is a strong feeling that India might finally bring home another trophy!

Previous Oscar Award Winners from India

India has a proud history at the Oscars. Here is a quick look at our past winners:

• Bhanu Athaiya (1983): Best Costume Design for Gandhi.

• Satyajit Ray (1992): Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement.

• A.R. Rahman (2009): Best Original Score & Song (“Jai Ho”) for Slumdog Millionaire.

• Gulzar & Resul Pookutty (2009): Best Song and Best Sound Mixing.

• Kartiki Gonsalves & Guneet Monga (2023): Best Documentary Short for The Elephant Whisperers.

• M.M. Keeravani & Chandrabose (2023): Best Original Song (“Naatu Naatu”) for RRR.

Conclusion

The 98th Academy Awards represent a big leap for our film industry. This year, India’s presence is massive: out of the 317 feature films qualifying worldwide, 5 Indian titles successfully entered the Best Picture eligibility race. Furthermore, our official entry Homebound was selected from 86 global submissions to be one of the only 15 films shortlisted for the International Feature category. This is a huge win for Indian storytelling on a global scale. We wish all our films the very best for the ceremony on March 15!

Stay tuned to Cinemacity.in for more live updates on the Oscars and Indian Cinema!