After decades of being overlooked, the film industry is finally giving stunt design its well-deserved moment in the spotlight. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced that a new Oscar category recognizing excellence in stunt design will debut at the 99th Academy Awards in 2028.

This groundbreaking decision was shared via The Academy’s official social media channels, with accompanying visuals featuring standout action sequences from acclaimed films such as Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), RRR, and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). However, these films—and all others released prior to 2027—will not be eligible for consideration. The first eligible year for this award will be films released in 2027.

The 2028 Oscars also holds special significance as it will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Academy Awards, making it a landmark year for cinematic recognition.

In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said: “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.”

Further details regarding the criteria and rules for the new category will be released in 2027.

The last newly introduced category was Achievement in Casting, approved in 2023 and set to debut at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025, honoring films released in 2024.