LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Films hoping to qualify for a best-picture Oscar nomination will have to meet expanded theatrical-release requirements beginning with films released in 2024, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • The new requirements apply only to the best picture category

  • The rules are an effort to support expanded theatrical releases for films

  • “As we do every year, we have been reviewing and assessing our theatrical eligibility requirements for the Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement

Previously, films hoping for Oscar consideration needed only to run for seven consecutive days at a theater in one of six qualifying jurisdictions — Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Miami or Atlanta.

Beginning with films released next year, Oscar hopefuls that complete that initial qualifying run will also need to meet additional standards, including:

  • An expanded theatrical run of seven days, either consecutive or non-consecutive, in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets, no later than 45 days after the initial release in 2024
  • For films released late in the year 2024 that expand their releases after Jan. 10, 2025, distributors will be required to submit their release plans to the Academy for verification
  • Those late-release films must complete their expanded theatrical run no later than Jan. 24, 2025
  • Non-U.S. territory releases can count toward two of the 10 markets
  • Qualifying non-U.S. markets include the top 15 international theatrical markets plus the home territory for the film

The new requirements apply only to the best picture category.

The rules are an effort to support expanded theatrical releases for films — further departing from the pandemic-era exceptions that were provided to films released on streaming platforms while theaters were generally closed.

“As we do every year, we have been reviewing and assessing our theatrical eligibility requirements for the Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement.

“In support of our mission to celebrate and honor the arts and sciences of moviemaking, it is our hope that this expanded theatrical footprint will increase the visibility of films worldwide and encourage audiences to experience our art form in a theatrical setting. Based on many conversations with industry partners, we feel that this evolution benefits film artists and movie lovers alike.”