Oscars Voting Rule Now Requires Members to Watch All Nominees — Insider Reactions

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has introduced a significant update to its Oscars voting process for the upcoming awards season, requiring members to confirm they’ve watched all nominated films in a category before casting their final ballots. The change — aimed at improving the integrity of voting — is generating candid reactions from within the industry, with some insiders expressing doubt about how strictly the rule will be followed. EW.com+1

Under the new procedure, voting members must demonstrate they’ve viewed every nominated film in a category to unlock that section of their ballot. Views tracked through the Academy’s Screening Room platform or via a “seen elsewhere” form — which requires verified details of time and location — will satisfy the requirement. Yahoo News Singapore

A Shift Toward More Informed Voting

Academy leadership says this update is part of ongoing efforts to ensure members are informed when voting. Historically, final-round voting did not strictly require confirmation of viewing for all nominees, aside from select specialty categories. Some members have admitted in past seasons to voting without having seen every contender. KAWC

Proponents argue the change could help reduce uninformed “down-ballot” voting in technical categories, where voters might otherwise check boxes without thoroughly considering each nominee. By tying ballot access to confirmed viewing, the Academy hopes to give more weight to branch specialists and reduce guesswork. EW.com

Skepticism From Insiders

Despite the Academy’s intent, several awards insiders speaking anonymously told Entertainment Weekly they expect some members will still misrepresent whether they’ve watched all films. One strategist predicted there’s a “1,000 percent chance” that voters will lie about their viewing — pointing out that rules around verification remain difficult to enforce. EW.com+1

While the “seen elsewhere” form demands detailed documentation, insiders argue that some voters might still find ways around the requirement. In the past, industry habits — such as voting for friends, prioritizing industry buzz, or relying on reputation rather than personal viewing — have influenced ballots more than actual screenings. Yahoo News Singapore

Implications for Awards Season

Campaign operatives believe the new standard could lead to more abstentions in categories where a voter hasn’t watched every nominated film, effectively shifting more influence to voters who specialize in those areas. This change may have a particular impact below the main categories — such as sound, score, and cinematography — where casual viewing has been most common. EW.com

Although enforcement mechanisms and the true extent of compliance remain open questions, the Academy’s procedural update represents a clear effort to tighten voting practices. As awards season progresses toward the 2026 ceremony, industry professionals and observers alike will be watching to see whether the new rule meaningfully alters outcomes. EW.com