The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended invitations to 534 new members, welcoming a diverse array of talent to its ranks. This year's class includes actors Danielle Deadwyler, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, and Andrew Scott, alongside musicians like Ariana Grande and comedians such as Conan O'Brien. The addition of these individuals, as well as filmmakers, below-the-line professionals, and executives, will bring the Academy's total membership to 11,120, with 10,143 members eligible to vote. This marks the largest membership in the Academy's history.

In recent years, the Academy has made significant efforts to diversify its voting body, particularly in response to the #OscarsSoWhite movement. The new class of invitees reflects this commitment, with 41% identifying as women, 45% from underrepresented communities, and 55% originating from outside the United States. These additions will contribute to an overall Academy membership that is 35% women, 22% from underrepresented communities, and 21% international.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their enthusiasm for the new members in a joint statement: "We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy. Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community."

The invitations were extended to 91 Oscar nominees and 26 winners, including Best Actress winner Mikey Madison ("Anora") and Best Supporting Actor winner Kieran Culkin ("A Real Pain"). Recent nominees Ariana Grande, Jeremy Strong, Sebastian Stan, and Monica Barbara were also invited. Gints Zilbalodis, director of the Best Animated Film winner "Flow," will also be joining the animation branch.

Other notable invitees include filmmakers Mike Flanagan (“Doctor Sleep”), Azazel Jacobs (“His Three Daughters”), Brady Corbet (“The Brutalist”), Coraline Fargeat (“The Substance”), Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw the TV Glow”), Halina Reijn (“Babygirl”), and Gia Coppola (“The Last Showgirl”). Payal Kapadia (“All We Imagine As Light”), Lena Waithe (“Queen & Slim”), and Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley of “Sing Sing” were invited in the writers branch. Brandi Carlile (“Elton John: Never Too Late”), Branford Marsalis (“Rustin”), and Youssou N'Dour (“Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love”) are among the new members of the music branch.

Notably, the last two emcees to host the Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O'Brien, were also invited to become members. O'Brien is set to host the 2026 Academy Awards on March 15, following a well-received broadcast that drew 19.7 million viewers.

Along with the new members, the Academy is introducing some new rules. Starting this year, members must watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round of Oscar voting. Additionally, a new award category for casting will be voted on at the upcoming Oscars. While the Academy has established a new Oscar for stunt design, it will not be awarded until 2028.