The 2025 Oscars are sparking excitement and anticipation over who will sweep the award in each category.
On January 23rd 2025, Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott woke up before the sun and took the stage to announce the highly anticipated nominations for the 97th Academy Awards. Delayed due to the recent wildfires, the announcement was met with heightened anticipation, and Hollywood was buzzing with excitement. This year’s nominations showcase a fascinating mix of veteran filmmakers, breakout stars, and a few shocking omissions, reflecting an industry in the midst of evolution. The race for Best Picture has shaped up to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with sweeping epics, intimate character studies, and genre-bending films all vying for the top prize. While some contenders have emerged as clear front-runners, others are positioning themselves as dark horses, ready to shake up the predictability of awards season. From record-breaking nods to surprising snubs, let’s dive into the films, performances, and major storylines defining this year’s Oscar race.
One of the biggest stories emerging from this year's nominations is the dominance of Emilia Pérez, a genre-blending Spanish language musical thriller directed by Jacques Audiard. With an impressive 13 nominations, the film has positioned itself as the frontrunner, drawing both acclaim and scrutiny. Karla Sofía Gascón's nomination for Best Actress is particularly historic, marking the first time an openly transgender performer has been recognized in an acting category. The significance of this moment cannot be understated, especially in an industry that has long struggled with authentic representation of trans performers. The nomination signals progress, but it also comes amid an environment where trans rights continue to be a battleground in public discourse. Although her nomination is historic it has been overshadowed by backlash over Gascón’s past social media comments and criticism of marginalized communities.
Meanwhile, Wicked joins Emilia Pérez in a historic year for musicals, marking the first time two have been nominated for Best Picture since 1968. Despite earning 10 nominations, including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for its stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked was snubbed in Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, which may weaken its chances at winning the top prize. The Brutalist also scored 10 nominations, including Best Director and Best Actor for Adrien Brody, standing as this year’s prestige historical drama. Chronicling an architect fleeing fascism in post-war Europe, the film’s grand scope and meticulous craftsmanship make it reminiscent of past Oscar winners like Schindler’s List and The English Patient. The Brutalist has faced backlash for its use of AI on Brody's Hungarian accent.
While Dune: Part Two secured its expected nomination, the presence of The Substance, a body horror film directed by Coralie Fargeat, has sparked conversation about the Academy’s evolving tastes. Historically, horror films have faced an uphill battle in awards recognition, but this may be attributed to the Academy’s broadened membership base, following years of criticism about its lack of diversity and narrow scope. A Complete Unknown got an unexpected 8 nominations. While Timothée Chalamet’s transformation into Bob Dylan has kept A Complete Unknown in the conversation, its mixed reception could hold it back from fans and critics alike could hold the film back for winning many awards. Conclave, a Vatican-set thriller starring Ralph Fiennes, leans on prestige storytelling but remains an underdog in the Best Picture race. Its lack of controversies and masterful storytelling could carve a path to the Best Picture trophy.
Anora secured six nominations, with Sean Baker’s raw, character-driven storytelling earning strong praise. While its lack of industry weight may hinder its chances, it’s love and support from fans and critics alike keep it in the conversation along with breakout star Mikey Madison who remains a major force in the Best Actress race. Nickel Boys, adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, landed only two nominations, making it a long shot despite its social significance. The biggest shock of nomination morning was I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui), a late-breaking Brazilian drama that landed Best Picture, Best International Feature, and Best Actress (Fernanda Torres). Chronicling the life of Eunice Paiva, whose husband was killed during Brazil’s military dictatorship, the film surged into the race after Torres’ Golden Globe win and the extended nominating deadline.
However, despite these forward-looking moments, the nominations also reveal persistent gaps. The exclusion of some highly praised performances has led to the usual accusations of industry bias. Notably, Margret Quallay, who delivered a standout performance in The Substance, was left out of the Best Supporting Actress race, reigniting discussions about the Academy’s tendency to overlook horror performers in acting categories. Similarly, the omission of Challengers from the Best Original Score category has sparked backlash, about how the Academy doesn't respect modern music as much as it does classical. Challengers score is club/edm music and won the Golden Globe for score but missed the Oscar due to the bias of the Academy.
This year’s Best Director race is historic, with all five nominees (Jacques Audiard, Brady Corbet, Coralie Fargeat, Sean Baker, and James Mangold) earning their first nominations in the category. Jacques Audiard leads the conversation with Emilia Pérez, as his film secured the most nominations of the year. Although the films strong showing and his praise he has found himself in hot water as a video of him shaking his head in disgust at Cynthia Erivo being nominated for her work on Wicked was released but with all of Emilia Pérez’s controversies his one has been buried but it still could impact his chances. Brady Corbet, known for his precise and ambitious filmmaking, delivers one of the most technically complex works of the year with The Brutalist, a film that leans into traditional Oscar prestige. A major milestone comes with Coralie Fargeat, who becomes only the 10th woman ever nominated for Best Director for The Substance. While horror films have historically struggled in this category, her nomination reflects a growing shift in Academy recognition for genre films. Sean Baker, long considered an indie darling, breaks through with Anora, a film that continues his signature naturalistic storytelling. His inclusion solidifies the Academy’s embrace of festival-driven, character-focused filmmaking. Meanwhile, James Mangold rounds out the lineup with a surprise nomination for A Complete Unknown. Mangold has previously been recognized in Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for Ford v Ferrari, but this marks his first nomination as a director. With no previous Oscar winners in the mix, this year’s race is wide open, making it one of the most exciting Best Director competitions in recent memory.
This year’s acting categories feature a mix of beloved veterans and exciting newcomers. In Best Actor, nominees include Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), Colmon Domingo (Sing Sing), Ralph Finnes (Conclave), and Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice). Best Actress features Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Demi Moore (The Substance), Mikey Madison (Anora), and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here). The supporting categories are equally competitive, with Kiernan Culkin (A Real Pain), Yura Borisov (Anora), Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice), and Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Best Supporting Actress sees Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), and Ariana Grande (Wicked) rounding out the field. With such a diverse set of nominees, these categories remain unpredictable, and last-minute momentum could shift the outcomes dramatically.
My predictions for the winners are not necessarily what I would vote for. For Best Picture, I think The Brutalist will win but I think Wicked should win. For Director, I think Brady Corbet for The Brutalist will and should win. For Actress I think Demi Moore (The Substance) will win but I think Mikey Madison (Anora) should win. For Actors I think Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) will and should win. For Supporting Actress I think Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) will win but Ariana Grande (Wicked) should win. And for Supporting Actor I think Kiernan Culkin (A Real Pain) will and should win. And as for the rest of my predictions, Anora will win Original Screenplay (other nominees are The Brutalist, A Real Pain, The Substance, and September 5). Conclave will win Adapted Screenplay (other nominees are Emilia Pérez, A Complete Unknown, Sing Sing, and Nickel Boys). Emilia Pérez will win International Feature Film. The Wild Robot will win Animated Feature. The Brutalist will win Cinematography. Conclave will win Editing. Wicked will win Production Design. Wicked will win Costume Design. The Substance will win Makeup and Hairstyling. Dune: Part Two will win Sound. Dune: Part Two will win Visual Effects. The Brutalist will win . And lastly "El Mal" from Emilia Pérez will win Best Original Song.
The Academy’s recent efforts to diversify its membership have undeniably influenced the types of films receiving recognition. However, the lingering impact of industry politics, historical biases, and the balance between commercial viability and artistic innovation ensures that Oscar discourse remains as complex as ever. As the ceremony approaches, the conversation will continue to evolve, reflecting broader cultural debates about cinema’s role in both entertainment and social change. Whether this year’s winners reinforce traditional Oscar narratives or break new ground, the 2025 Academy Awards promise to be another milestone in the ever-evolving history of Hollywood’s most prestigious night. Tune in on March 2nd at 7pm EST to see who wins! Who are you rooting for?