Everything You Need to Know About the 95th Oscars®

Time is ticking toward one of the most glamorous nights in Hollywood, where stars will fill the Dolby® Theatre for the 95th Oscars®.

As artists draft their acceptance speeches, we’ve assembled the ultimate guide to The Oscars®, which airs live on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. This year’s awards show broadcasts from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, with an endless menu of dazzling performances, acclaimed presenters, and—of course—the coveted gold trophies.

From performance lineups to Disney’s celebrations, here’s our roadmap to this year’s Academy Awards®.

How can I watch the Oscars?

The Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET in more than 200 territories. The show will also be streamed on abc.com and on the ABC app; FAQs about availability can be found here.

You can also stream the show with a subscription to Hulu Live TV.

Three headshots of the hosts of Countdown to the Oscars®. On the left is Ashley Graham in a blue turtleneck, then Vanessa Hudgens in center with her hair in a sleek top knot, and Lilly Singh on the right in a yellow-collared shirt and hoop earrings

How and when can I watch the Oscars pre-shows?

Countdown to the Oscars®, the official lead-in to the 95th Oscars, will highlight Oscar nominees, performers, and presenters for the ultimate insider’s sneak peek. Hosting the pre-show is model Ashley Graham, actor Vanessa Hudgens (for her second consecutive year), and multi-hyphenate Lilly Singh. Content creator Reece Feldman will be a backstage correspondent, and Rocsi Diaz will be the correspondent for the Academy’s member viewing party in New York City. The pre-show airs Sunday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Leading into the official pre-show, ABC News will have special coverage with a live Oscars pre-show On The Red Carpet Live: Countdown to Oscars 95®, Sunday, March 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. ET. The pre-show coverage will also stream on ABC News Live starting at 1:30 p.m. ET throughout the day until the start of the Academy Awards.

ABC News Live Prime anchor and World News Tonight weekend anchor Linsey Davis and Good Morning America weekend co-anchor and World News Tonight weekend anchor Whit Johnson will host the red-carpet special, featuring interviews with Oscar nominees. Davis and Johnson will be joined by ABC News correspondent Chris Connelly, ESPN’s Andscape senior entertainment reporter and ABC News contributor Kelley Carter, and Hollywood insiders, including Variety’s Elizabeth Wagmeister and Clayton Davis, and celebrity stylist Joe Zee.

A photo of the Snow White-inspired Oscar statue display inside Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park. The statue sits in a glass display behind red velvet ropes with a red curtain backdrop. The one-of-a-kind statue consists of one regular-sized, golden statue with seven tiny statues beside it.

How is Disney Parks celebrating Oscars week? 

Limited-time food and photo ops are available throughout U.S. Disney Parks! At Disneyland Resort, the iconic Snow White-inspired Oscar statue is on display through Monday, March 20. The trophy traveled from The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California, and is now available for photo ops at Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park. Another photo op is just beyond the tree branches at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where a larger-than-life Oscars statue is stationed by a red carpet. The display will be up through Wednesday, March 15.

Limited-time food comes to Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure Park from Friday, March 10, to Sunday, March 12. Guests can choose between three funnel cakes at Award Wieners and then head over to Schmoozies! for a chocolate brownie milkshake, looking dapper with a bow tie for the occasion.

At Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort, the ABC Commissary offers a tropical tart topped with an Oscars chocolate coin while specialty popcorn blends are offered at select carts. These are available through Oscars Sunday, March 12. This year’s photo wall comes to Disney Springs in early March for the perfect picture. Post your photos to social media with the hashtags #DisneySprings and #Oscars.

Who are the nominees? 

The Walt Disney Company received 22 nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 95th Oscars, including two Best Picture nominations for 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water and Searchlight Pictures’ The Banshees of Inisherin.

In a scene from the film The Banshees of Inisherin, Colin Farrell as Pádraic Súille walks across a vast expanse of rolling green hills. A small black donkey trots beside him.

The Banshees of Inisherin leads with nine nominations, followed by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with five, and Avatar: The Way of Water with four. Empire of Light, Fire of Love, Le Pupille, and Turning Red each received one nomination.

For a complete list of nominations, visit the Oscars website.

How do I make my predictions?

Play a free game of Oscars Pick ’Em for a chance to win your own prize! The Grand Prize Winner will receive an Oscars All-Star Winner prize package: a three-day/two-night trip for two to Los Angeles and tickets to the 2024 Oscars Watch Party at the Academy Museum. There are also 10 First Prize packs that each include an official Oscars tote, water bottle, notebook, pen, and beanie. Voting locks just before the show on Sunday, March 12. Enter here for your chance to win.

A poster of Jimmy Kimmel, who wears a black suit and bow tie. He clutches an Oscar in his right hand and smiles at the camera, his other hand is tucked into his pocket. The background is bright black and gold.

Who is the Oscars host?

Emmy® Award-winning late-night talk show host and producer Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the Oscars for the third time. Kimmel previously hosted back-to-back broadcasts in 2017 (89th Awards) and 2018 (90th Awards).

“Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap. Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said ‘no,” Kimmel joked.

“Having Jimmy Kimmel return to host The Oscars is a dream come true. As we see every night on his own show, Jimmy can handle anything with both heart and humor; and we know that he will deliver the laughs and celebratory moments that define the Oscars,” said Craig Erwich, president, ABC Entertainment, Hulu & Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals.

Who are the Oscars presenters?

The roster includes Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña, Donnie Yen, Halle Bailey, Antonio Banderas, Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek Pinault, Nicole Kidman, Florence Pugh, Sigourney Weaver, Halle Berry, Paul Dano, Cara Delevingne, Harrison Ford, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Eva Longoria, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Andie MacDowell, Elizabeth Olsen, Pedro Pascal, and John Travolta.

A photo of Rihanna at the world premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She stands alone and poses for the camera with her hands on her stomach. She wears a shiny taupe dress with matching gloves that extend past her elbows.

Who are the Oscars performers?

Four of the five nominated songs were announced for the awards show. Rihanna will perform “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which marks her first Oscar nomination. Among other performers are Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava with “Naatu Naatu” from RRR, as well as actor/singer Sofia Carson and songwriter Diane Warren (marking her 14th Oscar nomination) with “Applause” from Tell It like a Woman.

Oscar-winning David Byrne, Oscar-nominated actor Stephanie Hsu, and music trio Son Lux will perform “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once. Hsu is nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role and Son Lux is nominated for Original Score for their performances in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Grammy®-winning musician Lenny Kravitz will deliver the “In Memoriam” performance.

Who makes up the Oscars creative team?

Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner serve as The Oscars executive producers and showrunners, while Rob Paine returns for his 28th year in a new role as co-executive producer. They’re accompanied by producers Raj Kapoor, Sarah Levine Hall, Erin Irwin, and Jennifer Sharron, as well as Taryn Hurd as talent producer.

Rounding out The Oscars team are writers Agathe Panaretos, Dave Boone, and Nefetari Spencer, music director Rickey Minor, and lighting designer Robert Dickinson.

Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest stand together in front of a sparkling black backdrop. Kelly wears a sleek black dress while Seacrest sports a suit and bow tie. Seacrest extends his left hand out as they look slightly off-camera.

How can I watch Oscars post-show coverage?

The morning after, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest will keep the party going with backstage highlights. The Live After Oscar® Show will premiere live from the Dolby Theatre in national syndication on Monday, March 13, at 9 a.m. ET.

Ripa and Seacrest will be the first to chat with this year’s Oscar winners just after their acceptance speeches, collecting all the A-list action for viewers at home. Meanwhile, Emmy-winner Carson Kressley will serve as a special Live correspondent and report from the Oscar Red Carpet. Kressley will join Ripa and Seacrest on Monday morning with news of the previous night’s glamour.

“After two years producing the show bicoastally, we are beyond thrilled to be back on the Oscar stage for one of our absolute favorite shows of the year,” said executive producer Michael Gelman. “Kelly and Ryan and the entire Live team are geared up to deliver that signature Oscar excitement to our millions of viewers at home.”

Embracing the Mess with Onyx Collective’s UnPrisoned

By Andie Hagemann

Sometimes, life is messy—and that is certainly true for Paige Alexander (Kerry Washington) in Onyx Collective’s first scripted series, UnPrisoned.

Inspired by the life of Tracy McMillan, the dramedy follows Paige, a marriage and family therapist and single mom who teeters between being a perfectionist and being a little chaotic. Her life becomes even more complicated when her dad, Edwin (Delroy Lindo), is released from prison and moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).

“This is a show—yes, about mass incarceration—but it’s about a family,” says McMillan, series creator and executive producer. “It’s about a father and a daughter; it’s about a grandfather and a grandson. The work that these people did to bring this family to life is amazing and powerful.”

McMillan, whose father was incarcerated, created the series with the intent to empathize with those affected by mass incarceration—especially families like her own. “People would meet my dad over the years and say, ‘What a nice man,’” she continues. “I’d say, ‘Yeah, just because he spent time in prison, it doesn’t mean that he’s not a good person with a good heart.’”

Washington, who also serves as an executive producer, adds, “We live in the shadow of the prison industrial complex in this country, and when you look at the numbers of people who go through that system, it’s so important that we think about these systems and how they impact families… [With this series], I have an opportunity to explore the impact in a way that’s fun and loving so that people don’t turn away [to the issue].”

In a scene from an episode of UnPrisoned, actors Delroy Lindo, Kerry Washington, Faly Rakotohavana, and Marque Richardson gather around a kitchen island inside a residential home.

The series draws on many aspects of McMillan’s life, even incorporating her hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the neighborhood of Lake Harriet. However, unlike Paige, McMillan didn’t allow her father to move in after his release from prison. “I actually have two rules: don’t ask me for money and you can’t live with me,” she says with a laugh. “[For the series], I thought, ‘What would it have been like to have that healing with him coming to live with me?’”

Of course, McMillan’s effervescent social media presence is also a large part of Paige. The character shares how to cultivate even the most complicated relationships while also divulging updates regarding her own life, no holds barred. Ironically, Paige has quite a bit of healing to do herself, especially with her father back in her life full-time. “You teach what you need to learn,” says McMillan. “This has been the business of my life because of my dad. There were times [during production] where I said, ‘Wow, everybody, thanks for helping me with my therapy.’”

Washington shares that she’s been a longtime fan of McMillan and her work. To prepare for her role as Paige, Washington studied up on the bounty of dynamic social media videos to an extent that jokingly frightened McMillan. “I remember the first time that I filmed one of those straight‑to‑camera talks, Tracy said, ‘What am I watching? This is so freaky,’” she says.

In a scene from an episode of UnPrisoned, actors Delroy Lindo and Kerry Washington dance on a light-up platform inside a residential home. Lindo wears a black button-down shirt, a white vest, and white pants. Washington wears a silver, one-sleeved, sequin mini dress and silver heels.

For Washington, starring opposite Lindo is a full-circle moment, having been inspired by the acclaimed actor since high school. “Delroy is quite literally one of the reasons that I am an actor today,” she says with a big smile. “When I was in high school, I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and we went to see the movie. I watched what [Lindo] did with that character, and it changed my idea of what was possible as an actor.” She adds, “The magic that he created on screen and the arc of that character just really transformed me and was like a lighthouse in developing my craft throughout my career.”

Of course, when it was time to cast Edwin, he was only one man Washington felt was fit for the role. “They said, ‘What if he says no?’” she recalls. “And I said, ‘[I guess] we don’t have a show; there’s one person.’”

Lindo adds, “The way that they communicated to me about how they wanted to approach this work was genuine, authentic, and loving enough that it touched me.”

All eight episodes of UnPrisoned debut Friday, March 10, on Hulu in the U.S. The series will stream on Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other territories.

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Firebuds’ “Cleft Hood” Episode

By Andie Hagemann

Disney Junior’s Firebuds continues its tradition of inclusivity with the introduction of Castor, a vehicular character born with a cleft hood.

In the episode “Cleft Hood,” Axl (voiced by Lily Sanfelippo) takes it upon herself to track a wee-hicle down and convince him to return to the hospital for his cleft hood surgery. But first, Axl must put herself in Castor’s wheels and imagine what he is going through. Writer Jeremy Shipp was inspired to pitch the episode by his son Henry, who was born with a cleft lip and palate. Henry also makes his acting debut, serving as the voice of Castor.

Prior the episode’s network debut, Disney Branded Television hosted a virtual screening and Q&A with Firebuds creator and executive producer Craig Gerber, Jeremy and Henry Shipp, and Lauren Appelbaum from RespectAbility, who advised on the episode, for a conversation about the importance of onscreen representation.

“My son is very inspiring to me, and it’s not because of his condition,” said Jeremy. “He’s inspiring because of his attitude—and [he’s] a pretty positive kid. I wanted to do a story with a character like him.”

“When we wrote the episode, I did not in my wildest dreams think about my son voicing the part,” Jeremy continued. “At the suggestion of the story editor, I had Henry audition for it.”

In the episode, Castor carries a plush toy car with a cleft hood named Anya. The toy was inspired by Henry’s own toy of the same name—a doll with a cleft that was purchased by his mother when he was 2 years old.

“I felt if we’re putting Castor in there, who takes a page out of Henry’s book, then Anya should be in there, too,” said Jeremy. “I sent the designers a picture of Henry and I believe they got his essence. I then sent a picture of Anya, and the animated stuffy is very similar to the doll.”

Since its debut, Firebuds has introduced several disabled characters, including the recurring character Jazzy (voiced by Lauren “Lolo” Spencer), a young Black girl with spina bifida whose “vroom-mate” is a wheelchair car named Piper (voiced by Sammi Haney). Jazzy is the sister of Jayden (voiced by JeCobi Swain), a main character, and there are several episodes that are centered around her in particular.

“The disabled community is a group that I felt has been underrepresented in the past, so we wanted to address that in Firebuds,” said Gerber. “[In addition to creating new characters] to include more diversity, we also have individual episodes like ‘Cleft Hood.’ Our show involves medical first responders and we thought there was a great opportunity to do a story about someone who has medical issues that required hospital stays.”

He continued, “[We hope] kids watching at home with similar challenges can see themselves reflected onscreen and get a sense of sort of empathy from that.”

The team behind Firebuds collaborates with RespectAbility throughout the entire creative process, from ensuring the language is correct in the script to working with animators on depicting the series’ many different disabled characters. “We provided reference videos for the animators [while working on Jazzy],” said Appelbaum. “She doesn’t always stay in her wheelchair car. Sometimes she sits, or she transfers. Some people might incorrectly assume that someone using a wheelchair is either always in the wheelchair or potentially in a bed.”

RespectAbility also works with the Disney Branded Television Publicity team regarding how to properly promote the episode and/or character and share it with different members of the community.

“We create a good working relationship where the feedback can be ongoing and informative on things that we do in a greater way,” said Gerber.

“Cleft Hood” premieres Friday, March 10, at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and at 1:25 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior. The episode will be available to stream on Disney+ Wednesday, March 15.

QUIZ: What Are You the Ultimate Fan of?

By Jessica Benda

Once, the name “Disney” would beckon thoughts of enchanted castles, sprawling forests, and dazzling original songs. That’s certainly still true today, but over the decades, Disney has expanded into iconic galaxies, lush planets, and charmingly snarky Super Heroes.

The Walt Disney Studios includes several beloved collections of storytellers, including Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, and the ever-classic Walt Disney Animation Studios. Some fans can name every droid in the galaxy, while others can recite their favorite childhood Pixar film word-for-word. Most Disney fans gear up with more than one area of expertise.

Sometimes, we love the Studios so much it’s hard to decide which is our favorite! Based on Stark Industries-approved technology, we’ve engineered the perfect test to find which franchise to which you’re the most devoted.

What are you watching on Disney+?

Which of these could you name the most of?

Which land at a Disney Park are you most excited to visit?

Where’s your dream destination?

Which animal companion would you bring home?

Who’s your favorite alien?

And who’s your favorite princess?

Which character would you most want to see in a spinoff series?

Which upcoming 2023 film are you most looking forward to?

QUIZ: What Are You the Ultimate Fan of?
You’re the ultimate fan of… Walt Disney Animation Studios!

In a still from the animated film The Lion King, Timon the meerkat, Pumbaa the warthog, and Simba the lion strut in a single file line across a mossy log. Waterfalls flow behind them.

Founded by Walt Disney himself, Walt Disney Animation Studios has delivered a portfolio of 61 feature films to date. It has swept us to far-off castles, into historical cities, and past the second star to the right. You can probably name most of the Disney Princesses and know the words to all The Lion King songs. One thing is certain: You love Walt Disney Animation Studios, and you’ll never let it go.
You’re the ultimate fan of… Pixar Animation Studios!

In a still from the animated film Finding Nemo, Marlin the clownfish and Dory the blue tang look mischievously at one another. Marlin, orange with white stripes, looks skeptical while the blue Dory grins with wide eyes. In the cyan ocean, purple coral pokes up beneath them.

Andy’s room! Radiator Springs! P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney! As the studio behind some of our most imaginative films, Pixar is likely the one you love most. It has produced 26 feature films and counting, including such as classics like Finding Nemo and new adventures like Luca. Pixar has grown beyond the screen and into Disney Parks, including Pixar Pier and Cars Land at Disneyland Resort and Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort. But as the ultimate Pixar fan, you probably already knew that.
You’re the ultimate fan of… Marvel Studios!

In a still of Captain America: Civil War, six Super Heroes stand on the concrete and stare up at the sky. Among them are Captain America, the Winter Soldier, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Ant-Man, and the Falcon. They’re all dressed in their fighter gear.

The sprawling Super Hero multiverse is the one for you. You’re the ultimate Marvel fan, and with over three-dozen films and hundreds of characters, that’s saying something! With the recent launch of Phase 5 via Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly expanding. Captain America, Scarlet Witch, and Black Panther are just some of the famous faces to emerge from Marvel Studios.
You’re the ultimate fan of… Lucasfilm!

In Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke, Leia, and Han all stand together in front of a metallic wall. Han is positioned slightly in front of the other two and braces his blaster, while Leia stands in the middle and Luke at the left. They look carefully at something ahead.

The Force is strong with you, or at least with your love for Lucasfilm! It’s most known for the Star Wars franchise, which spans three iconic trilogies and several spinoff films and television series. Starting with Luke, Leia, and Han Solo, this universe brims with tales of space politics and adrenaline-filled adventures. Whether it’s vibrant Coruscant or lush Naboo, piloting an X-wing or the Death Star, you’d give anything to be a part of that galaxy.

Show Off Your Disney Favorites with New D23 Instagram Stickers!

By Sarah Sterling

Member Appreciation Month has begun here at D23: The Official Disney Fan Club—and we have so many goodies in store to celebrate you, the fans that make up our vibrant, passionate community! We love showing off our favorite Disney fandoms and wanted to give you another way to do the same. That’s why we created brand-new GIF stickers available to use on Instagram Stories! There’s something for every kind of Disney fan, whether you love Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios films, or all of the above. Take a peek at what’s available:

These stickers and many more can be found in the GIF section of the Instagram Stories page by searching for “D23”! We can’t wait to see what you create with these stickers. Be sure to tag us (@DisneyD23) so we can celebrate with you all month long!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

Lights, camera… marathon! Ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night, binge-watch Academy Award®-nominated films from across The Walt Disney Company. With 22 total nominations, it’s difficult to narrow down this weekend’s itinerary, but here are four suggestions leading into Sunday’s festivities: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Turning Red, Fire of Love, and Le Pupille. Make sure your marathon concludes in time for The Oscars®, airing live Sunday night on ABC!

In a scene from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, actor Angela Bassett stands on a sandy shore and wears a white tunic dress and an ornate silver and white headpiece.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—Available to Stream on Disney+
The film is nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Angela Bassett), Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter), Best Original Song (“Lift Me Up” from Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and Ryan Coogler), Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Camille Friend and Joel Harlow), and Best Visual Effects (Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White, and Dan Sudick).

In the sequel to Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018), Queen Ramonda (Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, ruler of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livinalli.

In a scene from Turning Red, a giant red panda screams in a classroom covered in red smoke.

Turning Red—Available to Stream on Disney+
Growing up is a beast! Disney and Pixar’s feature film—nominated for Best Animated Feature Film (Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins)—introduces Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang). She’s a confident yet dorky 13-year-old torn between being a perfect daughter and forging her own path. Her protective, if sometimes overbearing mother, Ming (voiced by Sandra Oh), is never far behind—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships, and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda!

Fire of Love—Available to Stream on Disney+
Katia and Maurice Krafft loved two things—each other and volcanoes. For two decades, the daring French volcanologist couple roamed the planet, chasing eruptions and documenting their discoveries. Ultimately, they lost their lives in a 1991 volcanic explosion, leaving a legacy that forever enriched our knowledge of the natural world. Director Sara Dosa and the filmmaking team celebrate the intrepid scientists’ spirit of adventure, drawing from the Kraffts’ spectacular archive. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film, it tells a story of primordial creation and destruction, following two bold explorers as they venture into the unknown, all for the sake of love.

In a scene from Le Pupille, seven children are dressed as angels.

Le Pupille—Available to Stream on Disney+
From writer and director Alice Rohrwacher and Academy Award-winning producer Alfonso Cuarón, Le Pupilleis nominated for Best Live Action Short. It’s a tale of innocence, greed, and fantasy. Set at Christmastime, it follows young girls at a strict religious boarding school who are consumed with their thoughts of desire, freedom, and anarchy. 

Host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel poses with three Oscars statues and leans on a table.

The Oscars—Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC
Grab the popcorn—it’s time to celebrate the year’s biggest films! Award-winning late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returns to host the 95th Academy Awards for the third time. Who will take home the coveted honor? Tune in to find out. Also, don’t miss live performances from Best Original Song nominees, appearances from your favorite stars, iconic fashion moments, and so much more!

Award-Winning Oscar® Party Ideas

By Analise Warner

Ready to win the best in show for being the host with the most at your Oscar® viewing party? Let’s check: Music? Groovin’. Festive nominee-inspired party favors? Of course. Pick ’Em Game winners locked in? Absolutely. Follow these Oscar party ideas to be the star of the show on awards night! And make sure to tune in and watch The Oscars®, live on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC.

This Disney at the Awards playlist from Disney Music Group will B major at any Oscar viewing party! Enjoy a medley of classic and new songs recognized for outstanding achievement. Prepare those vocal cords to sing along live with Rihanna when she performs the Oscar®-nominated song “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Looking for more heroic harmonies? Feel like an award winner by taking home the powerful Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 2-LP Disney+ Edition soundtrack! Another Disney icon Sofia Carson, also known as Evie from the Descendants trilogy, will perform the Oscar®-nominated song “Applause” from Tell It like a Woman. Turn it up; this playlist is sure to be a hit!

The Walt Disney Company received a total of 22 nominations for the 95th Oscars. Whether you need on-theme party favors, interactive activities, or merchandise to represent your favorite film, there are plenty of products to choose from. Explore a variety of warrior-worthy merchandise to assemble a heroic themed celebration inspired by Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Heroes of all ages will enjoy hours of fun with products such as: the LEGO Marvel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Shuri’s Sunbird and LEGO Marvel Black Panther King Namor’s Throne Room Building Toy Set; Marvel Legends Series Black Panther Wakanda Forever Namor Action Figure; Funko Pop! Marvel: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Black Panther Vinyl Bobblehead and more!

For another adventurous vibe, explore Pandora and soar into action with McFarlane Toys’ Jake Sully (Reef Battle) and the fierce, flying Skimwing! These figures are highly detailed, articulated, and feature a bioluminescent effect when placed under black light. Dress in style with Cariuma’s glow-in-the-dark Avatar Water Canvas sneakers; enjoy DK’s The Art of Avatar: The Way of Water; and check out the LEGO Avatar: The Way of Water Metkayina Reef Home Toy Set.

It’s time to play Oscars Pick ’Em! Predict the winners, play along with friends, and watch live Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. ET on ABC for a chance to win a trip for two to next year’s 2024 Oscars® Watch Party at the Academy Museum and $2,500 cash—along with fun Oscar themed merchandise*! This year, the big winner could be you!

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter Promotion between 2/16/23 at 12:00 p.m. ET and 3/12/23 at 7:59 p.m. ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C. and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18+ at time of entry. Limit 2 entries per person. Visit abc.com/oscarspickem for Official Rules including details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, odds of winning, prize descriptions and limitations. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. Sponsor: Disney Streaming Services LLC, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91521.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your D23 knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

Who was on the very first cover of Disney twenty-three?

Correct! Wrong!

Walt Disney was on the very first cover of Disney twenty-three, D23’s quarterly publication sent to D23 Gold Members, in 2009.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!
Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!
Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!

Disney D23 Rewind—Week of March 6

By Courtney Potter

An image of the EngineEar Souvenirs shop at Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park. Its colorful sign above the door has the shop’s name in red script, with two turquoise lamps on top, at either side. On top of the sign itself is a small representation of a train, in blue and gray. Red doors are open to the shop. Several planters are seen to the right, and other Toontown buildings can be seen to the left.

EngineEar Souvenirs Now Open in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park

A swell new shop has opened its red doors for the first time in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park: EngineEar Souvenirs is now open, located next to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway!

As the official hobby shop of Mickey’s Toontown, EngineEar Souvenirs offers apparel, toys, and ear hats featuring Mickey Mouse and his pals. Among the offerings are a Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Remote Controlled Roadster Toy Car, ornament, and coffee mug. For easy checkout, guests can purchase items through Merchandise Mobile Checkout on the Disneyland app—where guests scan items through their phone and pay online.

EngineEar Souvenirs has debuted ahead of the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown, which reopens in its entirety on Sunday, March 19… that’s so soon! If you haven’t already done so, mark those calendars, Toontown fans!

See the Trailer for National Geographic Documentary Films’ WILD LIFE

The riveting trailer for National Geographic Documentary Films and Picturehouse’s upcoming documentary WILD LIFE—which spotlights conservationist Kristine Tompkins—has just been revealed.

Helmed by Academy AwardⓇ-winning directors Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, WILD LIFE follows Tompkins, former Patagonia CEO and president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, on an epic, decades-spanning love story as wild as the landscapes she has dedicated her life to protecting. After falling in love, Kristine and outdoorsman and entrepreneur Doug Tompkins left behind the world of the massively successful outdoor brands they’d helped pioneer—Patagonia, The North Face, and Esprit—and turned their attention to a visionary effort to create National Parks throughout Chile and Argentina. WILD LIFE chronicles their journey to effect the largest private land donation in history.

The film will open In select citi”s ar’und the U.S. starting April 14; then, it’ll make its broadcast debut on National Geographic Channel on Thursday, May 25, and will stream next day on Disney+. WILD LIFE had a surprise screening at the 2022 Telluride Film Festival—and will also screen as part of the 2023 SXSW Film Festival this very weekend (on Sunday, March 12).

ICYMI: Dazzling Details to Discover in Disney100: The Exhibition

If you’re heading soon to The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to check out the amazing Disney100: The Exhibition, you can’t miss our handy-dandy rundown of some of the incredibly cool Easter eggs to be found throughout the exhibit. There’s so much to see; every nook and cranny is filled to the brim with Disney magic. Keep your eyes extra peeled!

In an artist’s concept art image of Lighthouse Point in The Bahamas, the new Disney Cruise Line destination, a beach is seen from above; many beach chairs are lined up along the sand, and some people are sitting or lying in the chairs while most are wading into the clear blue water. Behind the lines of beach chairs are multiple colorful buildings, as well as greenery.

Lighthouse Point to Welcome Disney Cruise Line Guests in Summer 2024

The good folks over at Disney Cruise Line (as reported by the Disney Parks Blog) made a big announcement this week: They’ll start welcoming guests to a one-of-a-kind island destination at Lighthouse Point—located on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas—for the first time during its opening season in summer 2024!

Created in close collaboration with local artists and advisors, the island retreat at Lighthouse Point will be a vibrant celebration of unique Bahamian culture, all brought to life with the quality and service guests have come to expect from a Disney vacation.

Guests will be greeted by distinctive, sweeping architecture in bright hues when they first arrive, created in partnership with local artists. Respect for the environment is at the heart of the location’s design: At least 90 percent of its electricity needs will be met by an onsite solar array; the pier was designed to avoid the need for dredging; and elevated walkways will help limit impact on the landscape.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to be surrounded by the wonders of nature—and get a glimpse into the efforts taking place to conserve wildlife and their unique island habitats.

Keep your eyes peeled for more details about Lighthouse Point inaugural itineraries, signature entertainment, dining, retail, and excursions. For more info, click here!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

It’s almost here—Hollywood’s biggest night! Get prepared for Oscars® Sunday by binge-watching a few nominated films from across the worlds of Disney, including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Turning Red, and more! (And don’t forget to tune into the sure-to-be-spectacular show itself: The Oscars®, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, airing live Sunday night on ABC.)

New Trailer (and Premiere Date!) for Disney+ Series Rennervations

Are you ready to Renner-vate? Jeremy Renner is! The two-time Academy Award® nominee and Marvel Studios Super Hero once again joins forces with Disney+ for a new Original series, Rennervations, from Disney Branded Television… and they just released a brand-new trailer to celebrate its upcoming premiere next month.

In the four-part series, Renner and his team of expert builders use their skills to reimagine decommissioned vehicles and rebuild them into mind-blowing creations that serve communities around the world—proving every build has a purpose.

Behind the big screen, Renner is a construction veteran with a passion for purchasing and reimagining huge vehicles with the help of his connections in the worldwide fabricator culture. With his best friend and business partner, Rory Millikin, and an all-star build crew, Renner travels the globe to rebuild vehicles to serve a new purpose—such as turning a tour bus into a mobile music studio; a delivery truck into a mobile water treatment facility; a shuttle bus into a mobile recreation center; and even a city bus into a mobile dance studio. Along the way, Renner teams up with celebrity friends Anthony Mackie, Vanessa Hudgens, Anil Kapoor, and Sebastián Yatra, all of whom share his enthusiasm and join him to deliver the finished vehicles to each organization.

“I’ve been on this journey for many years, and I started in my community by building vehicles for people in need,” Renner recently said. “But a few years ago, I thought, ‘How can I plus this up and create a bigger impact on a whole community?’ And that’s what this show does. This is one of my biggest passions and it’s a driving force in my recovery, and I can’t wait for the world to see it.”

All episodes of Rennervations will premiere Wednesday, April 12, exclusively on Disney+.

Concept art for the new fourth tower of the Disneyland Hotel is seen at dusk. A pool is seen in the front, surrounded by lounge chairs and some short palm trees.

Opening Date for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel Announced

Our pals at the Disney Parks Blog recently shared the exciting news that The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will open to guests on Thursday, September 28, 2023! This will be the fourth tower at the landmark Disneyland Hotel, located just steps from the Downtown Disney District, Disneyland Park, and Disney California Adventure Park…

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel celebrate the magic of creativity and storytelling through a blend of contemporary designs and carefully curated pieces inspired by the stories, characters, and worlds of Disney Animation. The lobby will feature a one-of-a-kind mural created exclusively for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel by Disney Animation artist Lorelay Bové, known for her work on The Princess and the Frog and Encanto.

A concept artist’s image of the lobby at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. A colorful mural by Disney Animation artist Lorelay Bové is seen towards the right, featuring characters from several Disney animated films. To the immediate left of the mural is a colorful statue of Mickey Mouse. On the left of the image is a seating area, with a couch and several chairs, next to a window. A large light fixture is seen overhead. A hallway can be seen past the mural to the far right.

Each of the 344 whimsically themed rooms include touches of Disney magic sprinkled throughout, honoring beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios films such as The Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, Fantasia, and more.

Beginning next Wednesday, March 15, Disney Vacation Club Members can make rental reservations by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Then, starting Thursday, March 16, Disneyland Resort Magic Key holders can begin booking rental reservations by calling (714) 956-6425. On Friday, March 17, all guests can make rental reservations online at Disneyland.com/VillasDisneylandHotel or by calling (714) 956-6425. So check those calendars and start making plans!

The Villas are limited in availability and are subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Check Out the Trailer for Disney+’s MPower

Here’s something cool to add to your viewing calendar: The new series MPower is now available to stream on Disney+… The four-episode series spotlights several inspirational women heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

From Carol Danvers and Wanda Maximoff to the women of Wakanda and the Guardians of the Galaxy, MPower unpacks the journeys of these characters from their birth in Marvel Comics to the MCU and beyond. Archival footage, imaginative animation, and candid interviews work in tandem to profile how these characters and the women behind their success have impacted fans around the world.

“Every hero has an epic origin story and so does this series,” Justin W. Hochberg, executive producer, recently said. “When I conceived MPower, I did it out of love for my teen daughter so she would have more icons to look up to, voices to learn from, and role models to help her impact the world. Today, that vision is now a reality thanks to Brie Larsen, Elizabeth Olsen, the women of Wakanda, and Zoe Saldaña, whose leadership was ‘Mpower-ing.’”

Saldaña is featured in Episode 4—and serves as an executive producer of the series. “MPower is a tribute to women’s representation and empowerment,” she explained. “We’re enthused to have the involvement of a diverse group of women whose voices and stories will serve as a source of inspiration. Our hope is that this series will ignite meaningful conversations and drive real change toward a more equal and inclusive world.”

Hop To It: D23’s March Hare Mania is Now Open

Can you believe it’s time for March Hare Mania once again? We legitimately love giving fans the chance to share opinions on their Disney favorites, and this year (to help celebrate Disney100) we’re going big—by asking you about your favorite era of Mickey Mouse. If you haven’t voted yet, what are you waiting for? Check out the bracket… and choose wisely!

Dazzling Details to Discover in Disney100: The Exhibition

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Heading to Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? Don’t miss these incredible details throughout the galleries...

Where It All Began

The entrance to the “Where It All Began” gallery in Disney100: The Exhibition. To the left is a display on The Alice Comedies, including a screen showing film clips and a poster for Alice’s Fishy Story against a red wall. To the right is the gallery poster, depicting a premiere at the Colony Theater for Steamboat Willie and Alice’s Wonderland.

Gallery poster: Before you start exploring the gallery itself, stop and take a look at its poster to spot some Easter eggs from Disney’s early history.

  • The Colony Theater, for example, is where Steamboat Willie debuted in 1928!
  • The marquee on the theater is a reference to a different early Disney cartoon—Alice’s Wonderland (1923) is short which launched the Alice Comedies—and The Walt Disney Company itself, years before the creation of Mickey Mouse.
  • Standing outside the theater in the crowd of silhouettes are two figures who look suspiciously similar to a certain pair of young Disney brothers from around the time their cartoon studio was formed...
  • The vehicle outside the theater bears the license plate X034-0, which shares a number with Mickey’s car in the animated short Traffic Troubles (1931). In the cartoon, the car breaks down, and the plate turns upside down to spell out, “0-HECK.”

Where Do the Stories Come From?

A snow globe depicting a miniature version of St. Paul’s Cathedral sits in front of a screencap of the “Feed the Birds” scene from Mary Poppins. The images of white, flying birds are projected as to appear inside the snow globe.

Mary Poppins (1964) Snow Globe: You’ll definitely have “Feed the Birds” stuck in your head while you admire this iconic prop; projected birds bring the St. Paul’s Cathedral Snow Globe to life in its display.

Mary Blair Art for Alice in Wonderland: We hope you’re not late for a very important date while you’re admiring this concept art created by Disney Legend Mary Blair. Linger long enough, and you might get a visit from the Cheshire Cat and his mysterious grin!

Illusion of Life 

A poster for “The Illusion of Life” gallery, featuring the title in teal text over an image of Mickey Mouse painting his shoes with yellow paint. He is half colored-in, implying he is in the process of painting himself.

What’s in a Name?: The name of this gallery is inspired by the title of the legendary 1981 book The Illusion of Life, penned by Disney Legends Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston—two of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men of animation.

Hey, Dave!: In the corner of the gallery (featuring costumes and art from iterations of The Little Mermaid), keep an eye out for a photo of animator Dave Pacheco working on a drawing of Ariel. Pacheco is one of the two artists responsible for the stunning gallery poster artwork!

The Spirit of Adventure and Discovery

A close-up of the Ancient Jedi Texts, a brown leatherbound book with mysterious text inscribed on the cover.

THE SACRED TEXTS!: In Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, we only see the exterior of the book containing the sacred Jedi texts—but did you know that interior pages were created? You can see some of the actual sacred texts themselves projected onto the wall around the display of the prop book.

The Magic of Sound and Music

A statue of Mickey Mouse dressed as a conductor, with his hands raised, stands in front of tan and brown walls. The walls have a brown stripe of wood running across the middle that features the sound waves for the song “When You Wish Upon a Star.” 

Sounds Familiar: While you’re listening to “Let It Go” or “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” being performed in various languages, make sure to check out the wall behind the screens! The sound waves on the wall belong to a familiar tune—the Disney classic “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

Large silver chimes sit inside a glass case with a brown wooden backdrop. The chimes are a series of metal pieces tied together with clear string, similar to a wind chime. To the left of the chimes are a screen and the image of another prop used to create sound effects.

Pixie Power: One of the newer acquisitions to the Walt Disney Archives are the chimes that created Tinker Bell’s jingling sounds in Peter Pan (1953). While you can’t jingle the chimes for yourself, you might hear a familiar tinkling sound—and see Tinker Bell herself light up the chimes with her pixie dust!