Academy Marquee Theater List

Image

The Academy Marquee Theater List celebrates the most remarkable movie theaters around the world — theaters that provide exceptional audience experiences, preserve cinematic history and serve as cultural anchors in their communities.

The Academy will select 50 theaters for the first Marquee Theater List in the spring of 2027. It will include 25 theaters from the United States and 25 international theaters. A committee of Academy members across all branches will select the movie theaters, and these will be approved by the Academy’s Board of Governors. 

Selected movie theaters will be featured on the Academy’s digital platforms, including its website and social media channels, and will receive a physical certification to display in their lobbies.

Eligibility and criteria

• Movie theaters may be located anywhere in the world.
• Only brick-and-mortar theaters that operate year-round will be considered. Temporary or "pop-up" theaters are not eligible.
• Theaters may show first-run films or repertory screenings.
• Submission forms must be completed by an official representative of the movie theater being entered for consideration.
• Completed submission forms shall include:
  • Historic and technical information about the theater
  • A monthly screening calendar
  • A letter of support from a cultural figure or community leader from the theater’s city/town
  • Open-response essays on the theater’s mission/identity, programming and concessions/merch/special events
  • A link to a creative video proposal
• A maximum of 10 theaters operated by the same owner/chain may be submitted in a single submission cycle.
• The evaluation criteria for the movie theaters include the following factors:
  • Community engagement
  • Visual and audio presentation
  • Programming
  • Diversity, inclusion and accessibility
  • Historic significance and preservation
  • Theater design, lighting and conditions
  • Concessions

request application

The Academy shall resolve all questions of eligibility and rules.

Submissions are due on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 5pm PT. There is a fee per submission, with a tiered application schedule:

For more information and to submit a movie theater, please contact AcademyMarqueeTheater@Oscars.org.