After a century of being overlooked, the film industry is set to celebrate the artistry of stunt design with a new Oscar category. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced that an Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design will be introduced starting with the 2028 Oscars. This exciting news was shared through The Academy’s social media channels, spotlighting iconic films such as 2022's "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "RRR," as well as 2011's "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol." However, these films won't be eligible for the new award, as only movies released in 2027 and beyond will qualify.
The 2028 Oscars will be a landmark event, marking the 100th Academy Awards. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their enthusiasm in a joint statement, saying, "Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking. We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion."
The detailed rules and specifics of the new category will be revealed in 2027. The introduction of the Stunt Design Oscar is a significant milestone in the long and arduous journey for recognition of stunt work in film. The Oscars typically vote on new categories once a year, and despite annual proposals for a stunt coordination category from 1991 to 2012, none were successful until now.
The last new category added to the Oscars was Achievement in Casting, approved last year and set to be awarded starting with the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025. This new recognition for stunt design underscores the Academy's commitment to celebrating all facets of cinematic excellence.
