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The Academy Awards are Hollywood’s biggest celebration of cinema. From red carpets and security to luxury swag bags and celebrity fashion, here’s how much the Oscars really cost.
Oscars 2026 featured a star-studded presenters and performers lineup along with glamorous red carpet arrivals.
It’s the night Hollywood waits for all year. The 98th Academy Awards are underway, celebrating the best performances, films and creators in the movie industry.
But the Oscars are about more than cinematic achievements. The ceremony is equally known for its spectacle, the dazzling red carpet, extravagant fashion and the sheer scale of the event. Behind the glamour lies an eye-watering price tag that might surprise many.
The price of Hollywood glamour
The Academy Awards are held annually at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and staging the event is far from cheap.
According to a 2024 report by WalletHub, the ceremony costs roughly $56.9 million (about Rs 477 crore) to produce. The cost has steadily climbed over the years. For comparison, the ceremony cost around $44 million in 2017, while in 2022 it reached $56.8 million (about Rs 450 crore).
That figure covers multiple events associated with the Oscars, including the nominees’ luncheon, the Governors Awards and the Governors Ball, the official after-party following the ceremony. However, the biggest share of the budget goes into producing the globally televised live show.
The exact cost of using the Dolby Theatre has never been publicly disclosed. It is believed to be tied to a broader arrangement related to Dolby’s naming rights to the venue, under a long-term agreement with the Academy.
Rolling out the famous red carpet
One of the most iconic elements of the Oscars, the red carpet also comes with its own bill.
And it’s not the designer gowns that cost the Academy money, but the installation itself. Reports say the carpet requires 30 rolls of fabric and an 18-member crew, who spend roughly 600 hours laying it out and preparing the area. The process costs about $24,700 (Rs 20.4 lakh).
Security on a grand scale
Security is another major expense. With some of the world’s biggest celebrities gathering at one location, the event requires extensive protection.
This year, authorities have tightened security even further following global tensions involving Iran, as well as recent incidents including a university shooting in Virginia and an attack on a synagogue in Michigan.
A one-mile security perimeter has been set up around the Dolby Theatre. Federal and local agencies working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force are monitoring social media and intelligence feeds to identify potential threats.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department has deployed SWAT teams, bomb squads and snipers to secure the area, according to law-enforcement sources. Maintaining this level of protection is estimated to cost around $250,000 (Rs 2.31 crore).
Even the little things add up
There are also many smaller expenses that contribute to the total budget.
For instance, printing the nominee cards alone cost the Academy around $10,000 (Rs 9.25 lakh) in 2017 for just 48 cards.
Then there’s the famous Oscar statuette. Each trophy is plated in 24-carat gold and costs roughly $400 (around Rs 37,000) to produce. Despite its prestige, Academy rules state that an Oscar can only be legally sold back to the Academy for $1 (Rs 92).
The host’s paycheck
The host of the ceremony is another part of the budget.
This year, comedian and television personality Conan O’Brien is returning to host the Oscars. Although the exact figure has not been made public, estimates suggest he could earn about $15,000 (around Rs 13.8 lakh) for the role.
Past hosts have hinted at varying pay levels. Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the show multiple times, once revealed he received $15,000 as well. “It sounds like a lot for one night, but it’s months of preparation. You’re getting robbed,” he joked in an interview.
A feast worthy of movie royalty
Once the awards ceremony concludes, guests move to the Governors Ball, where they are treated to an elaborate menu curated by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
This year’s culinary spread will be prepared by a team of 75 savoury chefs and 45 pastry chefs. Among the highlights are a live izakaya station, freshly made Italian gelato, and gourmet dishes like truffled chicken pot pie stamped with the Oscars logo.
Guests will also enjoy butter-soft sashimi, cannoli filled with potatoes and caviar, and the iconic Oscar-shaped chocolate statues, sprayed with edible gold.
The lavish catering bill runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The famous Oscars swag bag
Nominees in acting and directing categories along with the host receive the legendary “Everybody Wins” gift bag, valued at around $350,000 each.
Curated by Los Angeles marketing agency Distinctive Assets, the bag includes luxury products, experiences and travel packages.
Among the highlights are stays at high-end destinations around the world. Recipients can enjoy time at a $9 million private villa in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, complete with concierge service, a private chef and driver.
Other options include a luxury Arctic villa stay in Finnish Lapland, a $65,000 villa getaway in Ibiza, and a $50,000 all-inclusive retreat at a Swiss chalet in Zermatt. There’s also a 10-day wellness retreat in Sri Lanka and a week-long stay at the famed Golden Door wellness resort in Southern California.
The bag also contains cosmetic and lifestyle experiences, including body-sculpting liposuction treatments, dental makeovers and facial rejuvenation procedures. One unusual inclusion is a custom prenuptial agreement drafted by celebrity divorce attorney Jim Sexton.
Recipients will also receive luxury cannabis products, a gold-plated cryptocurrency cold-storage wallet, designer luggage, gourmet snacks, luxury skincare items and even a custom residential interior design package worth up to $100,000.
Dressing for the red carpet
The Academy isn’t the only one spending big. Celebrities attending the Oscars also invest heavily in their red-carpet appearances.
Those who are not nominated often have to purchase seats at the Dolby Theatre, and they don’t come cheap. In 2023, filmmaker SS Rajamouli, director of the blockbuster RRR, reportedly spent $25,000 (about Rs 20.6 lakh) for passes for himself and members of his team.
The real splurge, however, is on fashion and jewellery.
According to a report by the New York Post, an A-list celebrity can spend as much as $10 million (about Rs 83 crore) on their complete Oscars look.
Some past appearances have been even more extravagant. In 2014, Cate Blanchett wore an ensemble worth $18.1 million (about Rs 150 crore) — one of the most expensive Oscar looks ever.
In 2019, Lady Gaga wore the legendary Tiffany Diamond pendant valued at around $30 million (Rs 250 crore).
Even newcomers attending the event can spend as much as $266,000 (Rs 2.2 crore) on gowns, jewellery and styling.
The economics of the Oscars
While the ceremony is expensive to produce, it also generates enormous revenue.
A 30-second advertising slot during the Oscars broadcast costs more than $2 million (about Rs 18.5 crore), according to entertainment publication Deadline.
The event also provides a major boost to Los Angeles’ economy. WalletHub estimates the ceremony generates around $170 million in economic impact for the city each year.
Winning an Oscar can also translate into financial success for films and actors. Movies that win Best Picture see an average $7.8 million increase in domestic box office revenue, while winners of the Best Actor or Best Actress award often receive about a 20% pay increase for their next project.
In the end, the Oscars may celebrate art but they remain a powerful reminder that Hollywood is, above all, show business.
March 16, 2026, 08:26 IST