The Oscars are not included in a Disney Plus subscription
Disney Plus does not carry the Academy Awards ceremony itself. The Oscars broadcast live on ABC each year, and you need an ABC feed to watch it — either through cable, an antenna, or a streaming service that includes ABC in its channel lineup.
However, Disney Plus does offer Oscar-related content year-round: clips from past ceremonies, documentaries about nominated films, behind-the-scenes features, and the full films that win or are nominated in major categories. If you want to prepare for the ceremony or catch up on winners after the fact, Disney Plus can help with that part.
Key Takeaways
- The live Oscars broadcast airs on ABC, not Disney Plus, so you will need ABC access through cable, an antenna, or a streaming service that includes it.
- Disney Plus carries many Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning films, so you can watch the movies themselves before or after the ceremony.
- Disney Plus offers documentaries and clips related to the Oscars and film industry, but not the live ceremony.
- To watch the Oscars live, check whether your cable provider, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, or another live TV streaming service includes ABC in your area.
Where to watch the Oscars live
ABC broadcasts the Oscars live each year, usually in late February or early March. You can watch through any of these routes: cable TV with an ABC channel, a digital antenna pointed at your local ABC station, or a streaming service that includes live ABC.
Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV all carry ABC in most U.S. markets, though coverage varies by location. Check the service's channel list for your zip code before signing up. ABC also streams the ceremony live on its own website and app if you log in with cable credentials or a participating streaming service account.
If you do not have cable or a live TV streaming service, check whether your area has an over-the-air ABC station. A basic digital antenna (usually $20 to $40) can pick up the broadcast for free.
Oscar-nominated and winning films on Disney Plus
Disney Plus carries a rotating selection of films that have been nominated for or won Academy Awards. The library changes throughout the year as licensing agreements shift, but you will typically find major studio releases, Pixar films, and Marvel titles that received nominations.
To find these films, search Disney Plus by title if you know which movie you want to watch. The service does not have a dedicated "Oscar nominees" or "Oscar winners" category, so you will need to know the film's name. If you are looking for a specific nominated film and cannot find it on Disney Plus, check whether it is available on another Disney-owned service like Hulu or ESPN Plus, which are sometimes bundled together.
Documentaries and behind-the-scenes content about the Oscars
Disney Plus offers documentaries about filmmaking, the film industry, and award ceremonies. These include features about how films are made, interviews with directors and actors, and historical looks at cinema. While these are not exclusively about the Oscars, they provide context for understanding the awards and the films that win them.
The availability of specific documentaries changes over time. Search Disney Plus for terms like "documentary," "film," or "behind the scenes" to see what is currently available. You can also browse the platform's documentary section if it has one in your region.
Using Disney Plus as part of your Oscar preparation
Many people use Disney Plus in the weeks before the Oscars to watch nominated films they have not seen yet. If you have a Disney Plus subscription and want to catch up on nominees, start by making a list of the films you want to watch, then check whether each one is available on the service.
Keep in mind that not every nominated film will be on Disney Plus. Major studios release films through different streaming services depending on their contracts. If a nominated film is not on Disney Plus, it may be on Hulu, available to rent or buy through a digital store like iTunes or Amazon, or still in theaters.
Bundling Disney Plus with other services to watch the Oscars
Disney offers a bundle that includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus. If you add Hulu with Live TV to this bundle, you will have access to live ABC and can watch the Oscars ceremony. This is one way to combine your streaming services and potentially save money compared to paying for them separately.
Compare the cost of a Disney bundle with live TV against the cost of a standalone live TV service like YouTube TV or Sling TV. Prices and what is included vary by region and change over time, so check current pricing on each service's website before deciding.
What to do if you miss the live broadcast
If you cannot watch the Oscars live, ABC usually makes clips and highlights available on its website and app within hours of the ceremony ending. You can also find clips on social media, YouTube, and entertainment news websites.
Full ceremony replays sometimes air on ABC in the days after the event, though not always. Check your local ABC station's schedule or the ABC app to see whether a replay is scheduled. Streaming services occasionally add Oscar coverage after the fact, but this is not may provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the Oscars live on the Disney Plus app?
No. Disney Plus does not include the live Oscars broadcast. You need ABC, which you can access through cable, an antenna, or a live TV streaming service like Hulu with Live TV or YouTube TV.
Are all the Oscar-nominated films on Disney Plus?
No. Disney Plus carries films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and other studios it owns or has licensing agreements with, but not every nominated film appears on the service. Check the platform directly or search by title to see if a specific film is available.
Does Disney Plus show Oscar highlights or clips after the ceremony?
Disney Plus does not have a dedicated Oscars highlights section, but ABC and entertainment news outlets post clips online shortly after the ceremony. You can find these on ABC.com, YouTube, and social media.
What is the cheapest way to watch the Oscars if I do not have cable?
A digital antenna is the cheapest option if your area has an over-the-air ABC station — one-time cost of $20 to $40. If that is not available, compare the cost of a live TV streaming service like Sling TV, YouTube TV, or Hulu with Live TV, which typically cost $35 to $75 per month.
Can I watch the Oscars on ABC.com without cable?
ABC.com requires you to log in with cable credentials or a participating streaming service account to watch live. If you have neither, you will need to use an antenna, cable, or a live TV streaming service.