Will Smith won’t be in the audience for tonight’s Academy Awards ceremony, but it’s a safe bet that most of the talk surrounding the Oscars will be on his mind.
After the shocking turn of the actor last year, the awards ceremony regained much of the attention it had lost in recent years. Combine that with the biggest box office hit in years (Top Gun: Maverick), and a dark horse indie hit Everything Everywhere Everything at Onceand this year’s Oscars will be the most watched in a long time.
Leading the pack is Everything Everywherewhich earned 11 nominations this year, the most of any film. All was quiet on the Western Front and The Banshees of Inisherin tied for second, with nine nods each. Elvis and The Fabelmans followed, with eight and seven, respectively.
This is the 95th year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has honored the best films and performances. Whether you’re pulling for a favorite film or just want to debate the trends of the night, it’s usually one of the biggest television events of the year.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s event.
When are the Oscars?
The 95th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 12 at 8:00 pm ET
Where can I watch the 2023 Academy Awards?
ABC has exclusive broadcast rights to the Oscars this year, as it has for the past two years. Expect other networks to provide Red Carpet coverage outside of the Dolby Theater as well, though.
What time does the 2023 Academy Awards red carpet coverage begin?
The Academy Awards is the Super Bowl of film—and like that event, the pre-game starts long, LONG before the broadcast.
ABC begins airing the “On the Red Carpet Live! Countdown to the Oscars” pre-show at 12:00 pm ET.
The bigger “Oscars Red Carpet Show” will air on ABC at 6:30 pm ET.
Separately, “E!’s Brunch at the Oscars” pre-show begins at 2:00 pm ET. And at 4:00 pm ET, E! will move to the live Red Carpet arrivals of “E! Live from the Red Carpet”.
Wait a minute, is there a red carpet?
Good eyes! This year’s star-studded carpet isn’t exactly red for a change. It’s more of a champagne or beige color. Host Jimmy Kimmel joked, when the carpet debuted, “People are asking, ‘Is there going to be trouble this year? Will there be any violence this year?’ And we certainly hope not. But if anything, I think the decision to go to a champagne carpet rather than a red carpet shows how confident we are that no blood will be spilled.
How will the 2023 Academy Awards be different?
Apart from the red carpet, the most obvious difference is the presentation for Best Actress. Usually, Will Smith would give that away, but after last year, he was banned from all events hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for 10 years. The Academy has not yet announced who will present the award this year.
The organizers also promised some “great heritage surprises”. And, for the first time, seat-fillers will be actual members of the Academy (without scoring performance tickets in its lottery system).
Well, for one thing, they weren’t stationed at the train station this year. (To promote social distancing in 2021, the show was held at Los Angeles’ Union Station). They also have a host once again. And the show should be shorter, due to the removal of eight categories from the live broadcast, including film editing and original score.
How can I watch the Academy Awards for free if I don’t have cable?
If you don’t have a cable or satellite subscription, the best way to watch any network program for free on the big screen is with a good HD antenna. The 2023 Oscars will be broadcast on ABC — meaning you can watch the whole thing over the air, without costing more than equipment prices. Be sure to test the antenna in several locations in your home to find the most reliable signal.
How can I stream the Academy Awards live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?
There are many online options to watch the Oscars, some are completely free and some have free trial periods. If you are not near a TV, you can log-in ABC.com to watch the show. Don’t have a cable subscription (which you need to watch the official stream online)? Here are some other options that work as well.
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial of this service no longer offered. It will cost you $70 per month.
YouTubeTV
After until a two week trialyou can expect a monthly fee of $65.
Sling TV
Dish Network’s Sling is raising its prices in 2022. The lower-tier “Orange” plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan raises the cost to $55 per month. (A $5 per month increase for each.) The seven-day free trial disappeared with the price hike, but the cord-cutting service offers a 50% discount on the first month’s bill.
DirectTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, it often referred to as a streaming service will run you $70 per month and up after the free trial option.
Fubo TV
While it’s usually focused on sports, it’s cord cutting SERVICES carries broadcast networks in most markets. There is a seven-day free trial, followed by a monthly fee of $70–$100, depending on the channels you choose.
Disney+
Disney’s Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ bundles no longer have a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $13.99 per month for all three combined (or $19.99 per month without Hulu ads). Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $70 per month ($76 without ads).
Who is hosting the 2023 Academy Awards?
Jimmy Kimmel, who last hosted the show in 2018 (and, before that, in 2017) will be this year’s master of ceremonies. He was one of a group of five who hosted the show three times (which included Steve Martin and Jerry Lewis). Billy Crystal, if you will, hosted nine times. Bob Hope holds the record for most frequent host, with 19 ceremonies under his belt.
Where can I watch this year’s Best Picture nominees?
All was quiet on the Western Front
Where to watch: Netflix.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Where to watch: Currently in theaters, the James Cameron film will see its home digital release on March 28. It’s expected on Disney+ later this year.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Where to watch: You can stream the dark comedy HBO Max. It can also be rented or purchased at Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and Google Play.
Elvis
Where to watch: You can stream Baz Luhrmann’s king biopic on HBO Max. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and Google Play.
Everything Everywhere Everything at Once
Where to watch: The multi-genre film is currently airing on Showtime.
The Fabelmans
Where to watch: Rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and Google Play. It is also available in some cinemas.
warehouse
Where to watch: Peacock. You can also rent or buy the movie on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and Google Play.
Top Gun: Maverick
Where to watch: Currently streaming on Paramount+ and MGM+ (formerly Epix). You can also rent or buy the movie on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and Google Play.
Triangle of Sorrow
Where to watch: Stream this Woody Harrelson satire on Hulu or rent or buy it on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and Google Play.
Woman Talking
Where to watch: You can also rent or buy the nominee (which also earned a nod for best adapted screenplay) on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and Google Play.