Home News Stephen King Says the Oscars Should Be Cancelled Amid Los Angeles Wildfires

Stephen King Says the Oscars Should Be Cancelled Amid Los Angeles Wildfires

Author : Camila Update : Mar 17,2025

Esteemed author Stephen King has urged the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel the 97th annual Oscars ceremony in light of the devastating wildfires continuing to ravage Los Angeles.

As reported by Deadline, King announced he wouldn't be participating in this year's awards voting and believes the entire ceremony should be postponed, citing the lack of celebratory atmosphere amidst the ongoing crisis. The fires, which began on January 7th, have tragically claimed at least 27 lives and continue to burn.

"Not voting in the Oscars this year," King stated in a Bluesky post. "In my honest opinion, they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire."

Stephen King. Image credit: Matthew Tsang / Getty Images.
The Academy responded on January 13th, announcing adjustments to its 2025 schedule due to the fires, but hasn't yet addressed the possibility of cancellation. The Oscars nominee luncheon has been cancelled.

The voting period has been extended to January 17th, with the nominations announcement rescheduled for January 23rd. However, the 97th Oscars ceremony remains scheduled for March 2nd.

"We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang said in a statement accompanying the schedule changes. "The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship."