Stunts Are Finally Being Rewarded with a Dedicated Oscar, Starting at the 100th Academy Awards in 2028
There'd be no cinema without stunt design — and the talents behind one of the key components of movie magic will finally start receiving Hollywood's most-prized statuettes.
In 2028, one of the biggest names in Hollywood — and in cinema in general — will turn 100. When that year's Oscars takes place, recognising and rewarding the films of 2027, it'll mark a century of celebrating the latest and greatest on the big screen. The event will also fix a glaring omission from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' annual accolades. There'd be no movie magic without stunts, but the Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design will only join the Oscars when it hits its massive milestone.
On Friday, April 11, 2025, Down Under time, the AMPAS Board of Governors announced that it is creating an annual competitive Oscar for stunts — and yes, "finally" is the word that should instantly come to mind. Adding the category comes after a concerted push from stunt professionals in recent years, and after The Fall Guy's Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt were tasked with paying tribute to stunt performers at the 2024 ceremony.
Al Seib, The Academy
"Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking. We are proud to honour the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion," said said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang, announcing the new stunts Oscar.
Details on eligibility and voting for the award are still to come, however — and the same regarding how the accolade will be presented. The former will be revealed in 2027, when the 100th Academy Awards rules are unveiled. The latter will be announced "by the Academy's Board of Governors and executive leadership at a future date".
Richard Harbaugh, The Academy
Wondering which movies might be in contention for the first-ever Oscar for stunt design? 2027's current planned releases include the live-action The Legend of Zelda film, Avengers: Secret Wars, the sequel to The Batman, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and the second live-action How to Train Your Dragon, for starters, plus Sonic the Hedgehog 4, a sequel to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and an untitled Star Wars flick.
The Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design is just the second new Oscar field since Best Animated Feature Film joined the roster in 2001, the third since Best Makeup and Hairstyling in 1981, and the fourth since Best Costume Design in 1948. The other recent addition hasn't actually been handed out yet, with the Achievement in Casting gong set to first be awarded at the 2026 ceremony, covering movies released in 2025.
Dana Pleasant, AMPAS
Marvel Studios 2018
The Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design will join the Oscars for films released in 2027, so will be first presented at the 2028 ceremony. For more information, head to the Oscars website.
Top image: The Fall Guy.
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