The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the lists of qualifying films for the 2026 Oscars in documentary feature, international feature, and animated feature categories. A total of 201 documentaries, 86 international films, and 35 animated titles are eligible, with the documentary count marking one of the highest in recent years. Notable entries include festival favorites and high-profile projects from major studios.
Overview
The Academy's announcement highlights a robust slate of contenders, setting the stage for the 2026 awards season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the documentary category features 201 eligible films, the second-highest number recently, behind the 238 from the pandemic-relaxed rules cycle. International features total 86 submissions, while animated films number 35, including several box-office successes.
Documentary Features
This year's documentaries include several that have buzzed on the festival circuit. Netflix entries like The Perfect Neighbor and Apocalypse in the Tropics stand out, alongside Apple's Come See Me in the Good Light and Neon's Orwell: 2+2=5. Personal projects from celebrities feature prominently, such as HBO's My Mom Jayne, directed by Mariska Hargitay, and Apple's Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost by Ben Stiller. Films addressing the Middle East conflict, including Torn: The Israel-Palestine Poster War on New York City Streets, Coexistence, My Ass!, Holding Liat, and Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, also qualified. Notable absences include Ben Proudfoot's The Eyes of Ghana, held for next year due to lack of distribution, as well as Sofia Coppola's Marc by Sofia and Questlove's Sly Lives.
International Features
Neon is distributing five acclaimed submissions: Norway's Sentimental Value, Brazil's The Secret Agent, South Korea's No Other Choice, Spain's Sirat, and France's It Was Just an Accident, the latter winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes despite direction by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. Iran submitted Cause of Death: Unknown instead. Other entries include Japan's Kokuho, Iraq's The President's Cake, Belgium's Young Mothers, and Taiwan's Left-Handed Girl. Some nations submitted documentaries, like Ukraine's 2000 Meters to Andriivka and Denmark's Mr. Nobody Against.
Animated Features
The category is led by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle, now Japan's highest-grossing film. Contenders also include Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, Neon's Arco, and Disney's upcoming Zootopia 2. Films like Ne Zha 2, Paddington in Peru, and Smurfs did not qualify due to submission or eligibility issues.
Timeline
Shortlist voting for documentaries and international features runs December 8-12, 2025, with results announced on December 16. Nominations voting occurs January 12-16, 2026, and will be revealed on January 22, 2026.