2026 Oscars: On The Red Carpet takes you inside the exclusive Oscar Nominees Luncheon

LOS ANGELES -- The Oscars are Sunday, March 15 on ABC and we're celebrating with the new special, "On The Red Carpet: Countdown to Oscars."

The new episode takes you inside the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California for a look at what really goes down inside one of Oscar season's most exclusive events.

VIDEO: Hear from Michael B. Jordan and other nominated stars of this year's best movies

While the nearly 230 nominees in the room posed for this year's Oscars class photo, cameras caught Michael B. Jordan and Kate Hudson giving each other a kiss on the cheek. Then Jordan apparently complimented EJAE from "KPop Demon Hunters" on her stylish suit. Meanwhile, in another row, "Marty Supreme" star Timothée Chalamet, "Sinners" director Ryan Coogler, "One Battle After Another" director Paul Thomas Anderson and "Hamnet" star Jessie Buckley all stood shoulder to shoulder.

Before and after the luncheon, it was one movie star after another joining us to talk about their Oscar nominated performances.

"It felt like you were just born to play this guy," On The Red Carpet's George Pennacchio told Best Actor nominee Ethan Hawke about his role as songwriter Lorenz Hart in "Blue Moon."

"I felt that way," Hawke responded. "As soon as [director Richard] Linklater shared the script with me, I thought it was A., one of the most blisteringly beautiful screenplays I've ever read and B., I just loved this guy."

Michael B. Jordan is also nominated for Best Actor for playing the twins Smoke and Stack in "Sinners."

FULL LIST: See the full list of nominees for the 2026 Oscars

"Why did you say yes when you heard about the twins?" ABC's Chris Connelly asked him.

"That excited me," Jordan explained. "It had me anxious, a little nervous too, but it was the good nerves. It was the kind of nerves you get when you know you have something that is a swing, a creative swing."

Jordan is one of many first-time Oscar nominees this year, including "One Battle After Another" star Teyana Taylor. Her Supporting Actress nod is an exciting new addition to an impressive resume that includes a music career, choreographing a video for Beyoncé and more.

RELATED: Surprising facts about the 2026 Oscar nominees

"I don't want to be trapped in a box," Taylor said. "Everybody always laugh at me, but I'm like, a Glade Plugin... I'm gonna plug into every single outlet in this building. Why only make the bathroom smell good when you can make this whole building smell good? You know what I'm saying? So, I'm like, I want to plug in everywhere. I want to knock down every door, even if I don't got the key to it. I want to knock it down."

This new special also includes interviews with nominees Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo from "Sinners," Amy Madigan from "Weapons," Wagner Moura from "The Secret Agent," and Stellan Skarsgrd and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas from "Sentimental Value."

You'll also hear from "F1" producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the teams behind Best Animated Feature nominees "Zootopia 2," "Elio," "KPop Demon Hunters" and more.

Watch "On The Red Carpet: Countdown to Oscars" in the video player above.

Don't miss Hollywood's biggest night: The Oscars on ABC!

Our live Oscar pre-show, "On The Red Carpet at the Oscars," begins at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT and will feature live interviews with the nominees, red carpet fashion analysis and more!

Watch the 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC and Hulu, followed by "The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose."

Check your local listings or stream on Hulu and OnTheRedCarpet.com.

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