TL;DR
The 98th Academy Awards are actually looking pretty kid-friendly this year. With Conan O’Brien hosting, we’re getting a pro who knows how to keep things moving without the mean-spirited edge. Major family contenders include Wicked: Part 2, Zootopia 2, and the polarizing Minecraft Movie.
The Strategy: Record the first half, watch the red carpet highlights on YouTube, and let the kids stay up for the Best Animated Feature category before calling it a night.
Let’s be real: usually, the Oscars are the night where we try to convince our kids that "prestige cinema" is interesting while they’re busy asking if they can go back to playing Roblox. But the 2026 Oscars (honoring the films of 2025) might actually be the first time in years where the "Best Picture" nominees and the "Movies my kids actually saw" Venn diagram has some serious overlap.
Between the massive conclusion of the Wicked saga and the sheer curiosity factor of seeing Jack Black as Steve, your kids might actually want to watch this one with you. Here is the Screenwise breakdown of how to navigate the 98th Academy Awards without a Monday morning meltdown.
For the last few years, the Oscars have felt a bit like a private party for film students. But 2025 was a massive year for "Four-Quadrant" movies—industry speak for movies that hit every demographic. We’re seeing a shift back to big, theatrical experiences that families shared together.
Plus, the Academy finally realized they needed a host who is actually funny but won't cause an international incident. Enter Conan O'Brien.
The Host: Conan O’Brien
If your kids only know Conan from TikTok clips or his Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast, they’re in for a treat. Conan is essentially a giant, sentient cartoon character.
- The Vibe: Self-deprecating, high-energy, and smart.
- The Risk: He’s a "clean" comic for the most part, but he loves a good "weird" bit.
- Parental Win: He’s a pro at live TV. You don't have to worry about the awkward, mean-spirited roasting that some hosts lean into.
Ask our chatbot for a list of Conan's funniest "Clueless Gamer" segments to show your kids
You don't need to see every black-and-white indie film to enjoy the night. Here are the big ones that will likely be represented in the clips and categories.
Ages 8+ The first part was a cultural phenomenon, and Part 2 is expected to sweep the technical categories (Costumes, Production Design) and potentially land a Best Picture nod. If your kids are in their "theater kid" era, this is their Super Bowl. It’s a great way to talk about storytelling and how a book like Wicked by Gregory Maguire became a musical, then a two-part movie event.
Ages 6+ Disney is leaning hard into its heavy hitters. Expect this to be the frontrunner for Best Animated Feature. It’s a safe bet for the kids to root for, and the animation quality is usually a "how did they do that?" moment that even the "Ohio" (that's "weird" for those of us over 30) kids will find impressive.
Ages 7+ Okay, we need to talk about this. The trailer dropped, the internet screamed, and every kid who plays Minecraft had opinions. Whether it’s actually "good" or just a fever dream of CGI, it’s going to be at the Oscars for Visual Effects or Sound. It’s a perfect bridge to talk to your kids about "Art vs. IP"—or just let them complain about why Steve looks like that.
Ages 6+ Pixar’s latest about a kid who accidentally becomes the ambassador for Earth in a galaxy-wide organization. It’s classic Pixar—emotional, visually stunning, and almost guaranteed a nomination.
Ages 12+ James Cameron is the king of the Oscars. Even if your kids find the plot a little slow, the tech behind it is mind-blowing. This is a great entry point for kids interested in coding or digital art.
The Oscars start at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT. On a Sunday. That is a recipe for a very tired Monday morning.
The Screenwise Strategy:
- The Red Carpet "Appetizer": Let them watch the red carpet on YouTube. It’s basically a high-fashion costume party. Give them 30 minutes of this, then turn it off for dinner.
- The "Big Three" Rule: Tell the kids they can stay up to see three specific awards (e.g., Animated Feature, Visual Effects, and one musical performance). Once those are done, it’s bedtime.
- The Highlight Reel: Don't feel guilty about turning the TV off. The best 5 minutes of the show will be on TikTok and Instagram by the time they wake up on Monday.
Check out our guide on setting healthy Sunday night screen boundaries
The Oscars are "Live TV," which means anything can happen (remember the "Slap"?).
- Language: While the broadcast is delayed by a few seconds to bleep out f-bombs, some winners get emotional and forget they’re on ABC.
- Mature Clips: When they show clips for movies like Gladiator II or more adult dramas, there might be brief flashes of violence or intense themes.
- The "Boredom" Factor: The biggest risk isn't content; it's the 20-minute speeches about film tax credits in Georgia. Keep a board game like Ticket to Ride or Codenames on the coffee table so they have something to do with their hands while the boring parts happen.
The Oscars are actually a fantastic "teachable moment" that doesn't feel like a lecture.
- On Representation: The 2026 nominees are expected to be more diverse than ever. If a movie like Wicked or Elio wins, talk about why seeing different types of heroes on screen matters.
- On Hard Work: Kids often think movies just "happen." Watching the "Best Sound" or "Best Editing" awards is a chance to explain that hundreds of people worked for years to make that 2-hour movie.
- On Critical Thinking: Ask them: "Why do you think the judges liked that movie more than the one you liked?" It helps them move past "it was mid" to actually describing what they see.
You don't have to be a "Cinephile" to enjoy the 98th Academy Awards with your family. With Conan hosting and a slate of movies that kids actually recognize, it’s a rare moment of shared cultural experience.
Next Steps:
- Check the Ratings: Before the show, look up the "Best Picture" nominees on Screenwise to see which ones are actually okay for a family movie night later.
- Set the Timer: Decide now what time the TV goes off, regardless of who is winning.
- Make it a Game: Print out a "Predict the Winner" sheet. The winner gets to pick the next family movie night film.
Ask our chatbot for a kid-friendly Oscar ballot you can print out