2026 Oscar-Qualified Shorts – Top 20 for Lorehounds

Today, voting for the 2026 Oscar shortlists began, lasting all week – these 20 (or, er, 26) Oscar-qualified live-action and animated shorts are all eligible. Whether or not they make the shortlist (some of them will), here's why you might want to watch – from mermaid folk horror or brutal griffin hunts to gentle tales of the lists we make in life, or coming of age as an immigrant.Letterboxd listsEligible live-action shorts – category analysisEligible animated shorts – category analysisEligible documentary shortsThe RankingsTWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA – trailer – info – full film*MERCY – interview – infoJANE AUSTEN'S PERIOD DRAMA – interview – infoJUST THE USUAL – trailer – infoTHE PEARL COMB – trailer – infoPORELESS – trailer – info – full film*THE GIRL WHO CRIED PEARLS – trailer – infoDALY CITY – trailer – info – full film*HURIKÁN – trailer – infoRETIREMENT PLAN– trailer – info – full film*TRAPPED – review – infoGIGI – trailer – info – full film* (French or German subtitles only)ONE LAST ROUND – trailer – infoKOVARTY – trailer – info – full film*SCARS WE LOVE – trailer – info – full film* (French subtitles only)EM & SELMA GO GRIFFIN HUNTING – VFX panel – infoTHE SECOND TIME AROUND – trailer – info – full film* (UK only)MARCIA AND THE SHARK – trailer – info – full film*THE SINGERS – trailer – infoLES BÊTES – trailer – info – full film*BEYOND SILENCE – trailer – info – full film* (Dutch subtitles only)HOLY CURSE – trailer – info – full film*MERCENAIRE – trailer – infoONE DAY, THIS KID – trailer – info – on Kanopy & CriterionPLAYING GOD – trailer – infoMUSHROOM DAD – review – info*May disappear when shortlists / nominations are announced (or sooner).Contact UsQuestions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected], send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.