Apr
Oscars to Introduce Stunt Design Category at 100th Ceremony in 2028
For the first time in Academy Awards history, stunt professionals will be recognized with their own competitive Oscar category. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that the new Achievement in Stunt Design award will debut at the 100th Oscars in 2028, honoring films released in 2027.
“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang in a joint statement. “We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion.”
While the category is now official, the Academy noted that specific eligibility rules and details around its presentation will be revealed in 2027. The final format will be determined by the board of governors and executive leadership.
Celebrating the news online, The Fall Guy director and former stuntman David Leitch shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. “This has been a journey for so many of us! [Chris O’Hara] and I have invested several years into this,” he wrote. “We built on the work of all the stunt designers who fought so hard for this over the past decades. We are very grateful. Thank you, [Oscars].”
Entertainment Weekly confirmed that Leitch and longtime collaborator O’Hara were instrumental in making the new category a reality, having delivered multiple presentations to the Academy prior to the board’s approval.
Stunt professionals are already represented within the Academy through the Production and Technology branch, which includes approximately 100 members.
This move comes on the heels of another recent category addition: Achievement in Casting, which will debut at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026, honoring films released in 2025.
The 97th Oscars, held in March, celebrated standout performances by Mikey Madison, Adrien Brody, Zoe Saldaña, and Kieran Culkin, with Madison’s Anora taking home Best Picture.
Looking ahead, the 98th Oscars will air on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC, with comedian Conan O’Brien returning as host.
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