Oscar Winners Reunite for Annual Class Photo 2024

Hollywood Celebrates Oscar Nominees at Annual Luncheon

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted its annual Oscar nominees luncheon on Tuesday, bringing together the contenders for the 98th Academy Awards. The event, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, provided a relaxed setting for nominees to mingle ahead of the awards ceremony on March 15th.

This year’s luncheon marked a return to a standing-up format for the class photo, a change from last year’s seated arrangement, which was described as a “debacle” by the BBC. The annual “class photo” is a tradition, offering a snapshot of Hollywood’s elite before the competitive pressure of Oscar night.

Among those in attendance were actors Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone and Michael B. Jordan, as well as directors Ryan Coogler and Paul Thomas Anderson. Chalamet, nominated for his role in “Marty Supreme,” is considered a frontrunner in the best actor category, marking his second consecutive year as an Oscar nominee following his 2025 nomination for “A Complete Unknown.” Jessie Buckley, also a best actress contender for her performance in “Hamnet,” was also present.

The luncheon offered a chance for nominees to connect without the intensity of the upcoming awards show. The BBC noted a shift in the atmosphere, suggesting that publicists may be encouraging nominees to avoid potentially viral mishaps in the age of social media, resulting in a less overtly posed and quirky class photo than in previous years.

Guillermo del Toro was singled out as a standout presence at the event, reportedly “upstaging” Chalamet and Buckley. The luncheon itself provided a space for camaraderie, as evidenced by the presence of Sterling K. Brown and songwriter Diane Warren, who acknowledged they were not considered frontrunners in their respective categories, but were content to be “in the room.”

The Academy Awards luncheon has become a significant event in the awards season calendar, offering a glimpse into the community of filmmakers and performers recognized by the Academy. The event precedes the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, where winners will be announced on March 15th.

While the event is primarily focused on the nominees, it also serves as a celebration of the broader film industry. The luncheon provides a platform for networking and collaboration, fostering relationships among those who contribute to the art of filmmaking.

The 2024 luncheon, as reported by ABC News and the Los Angeles Times, saw Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone photographed together, as well as “Oppenheimer” stars Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Cillian Murphy. The event included a meal of wild mushroom risotto, as served at the 2024 luncheon.