Films shown at drive-in cinemas will be eligible for the Oscars in 2021, the Academy has announced.

The new rule has been approved by its board of governors for the best picture and general entry categories following the closure of movie theatres due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

It comes after a move announced in April to allow films streamed online to be in the running. At the time, Oscars organisers said it would be a “temporary exception”.

Cinemas around the world were closed as the Covid-19 crisis hit but had been slowly reopening in recent weeks.

However, following renewed delays to key releases – such as new James Bond film No Time To Die – Cineworld announced this week that its screens will now be closed until 2021.Advertisement

Separately, rival cinema chain Odeon revealed it is to switch to weekend-only opening at a quarter of its 120 sites.

The release of films including the new Batman outing and sci-fi story Dune have also been delayed in what has been a huge blow for cinema chains.