In a long-awaited shift for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, casting directors finally received their own competitive category at the 2026 Oscars. This historic change acknowledges the vital role of casting in the filmmaking process, moving beyond the traditional honorary mentions. The 2026 ceremony is being hailed as one of the most unpredictable in years, with final predictions heavily favouring Paul Thomas Anderson for Adapted Screenplay and Ryan Coogler for Original Screenplay for his work on Sinners. 

The animation category is also seeing a fierce battle for the top spot, as the 2026 Oscars predictions place "Goat" as a strong contender for Best Animated Feature. Meanwhile, the legendary Barbra Streisand is set to receive the Honorary Palme d'Or at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, further cementing her legacy in global cinema. As Hollywood prepares for the biggest night in film, these updates reflect a year of significant structural changes and artistic shifts within the industry.

Beyond the awards buzz, major trailers for 2026 blockbusters have begun to drop, including a first look at the live-action Moana and the final trailer for the high-stakes thriller Iron Lung. Streaming platforms are also gearing up for a massive month, with the premiere of the Peaky Blinders movie on Netflix scheduled for later in March. Fans of epic fantasy are also being treated to special extended-version re-releases of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in select Malaysian IMAX theatres throughout the month.