The 2025 Academy Awards have officially kicked off, and Hollywood's biggest night is shaping up to be one for the history books. With high-profile films like Conclave, Emilia Pérez, A Complete Unknown, Wicked, and The Brutalist dominating the nominations, the race for Best Picture is more competitive than ever. These films have not only captured audiences worldwide but are also vying for some of the most prestigious awards in the industry.
A Night of Firsts and Fierce Competition
One of the biggest stories of the night is Emilia Pérez, which leads the pack with a staggering 13 nominations. This crime drama-musical hybrid has been recognized across multiple categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing, and several acting awards. Making history in a groundbreaking way, Karla Sofía Gascón became the first transgender woman ever to receive an acting nomination, landing a Best Actress nod for her portrayal of the film's title character. However, her Oscar journey has been somewhat overshadowed by controversy, as past offensive social media posts resurfaced during her campaign.
Gascón faces fierce competition in the Best Actress category. Cynthia Erivo, who plays the iconic Elphaba in Wicked, is not only a strong contender but could also achieve the coveted EGOT status if she takes home the award. That means she would have officially won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—a rare and elite club in the entertainment world. Joining them in the race are Demi Moore, who already secured a Golden Globe for her role in The Substance, as well as Mikey Madison and Fernanda Torres, both delivering powerful performances in their respective films.
Big Nominees and Their Star Power
While Emilia Pérez leads in nominations, Wicked and The Brutalist are hot on its heels, each securing 10 nods. Both films are in the running for Best Picture, Best Director, and multiple acting categories, making them formidable contenders.
Ariana Grande, stepping away from her pop music career, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her dazzling performance as Galinda (Glinda, the Good Witch) in Wicked. She’s going up against some heavyweights, including Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Zoe Saldaña, Isabella Rossellini, and Monica Barbaro, who turned heads with her portrayal of folk legend Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown.
Speaking of A Complete Unknown, Timothée Chalamet has landed a Best Actor nomination for embodying the legendary Bob Dylan in the biopic. If he wins, he’ll make history by breaking Adrian Brody’s record as the youngest Best Actor winner—by just a few months. However, he’ll need to outshine a field of exceptional talent, including Oscar veteran Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Colman Domingo, and Sebastian Stan. In an interesting twist, if Stan wins, he will be the first actor to ever take home an Oscar for portraying a sitting U.S. president.
Other Notable Contenders
The Best Picture category is absolutely stacked this year. Alongside the major contenders like Emilia Pérez, Wicked, The Brutalist, and A Complete Unknown, we have some additional heavy-hitters: Dune: Part Two, Anora, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, and The Substance. Each of these films brings a unique perspective, whether through powerful storytelling, stunning cinematography, or thought-provoking themes.
A Comedic Twist to the Oscars Night
Bringing his signature wit and humor, Conan O'Brien is taking center stage as this year’s host. Known for his time on Late Night and The Tonight Show, O'Brien has hosted the Emmys twice before, but this marks his first-ever stint as the master of ceremonies at the Oscars. His sharp comedic timing is expected to make the night even more entertaining, ensuring plenty of laughs between the high-stakes award reveals.
Live from Hollywood: The Winners So Far
As the night unfolds at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, ABC is airing the live ceremony, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The Oscars are always unpredictable, and this year is no exception. Below are some of the key winners announced so far:
Best Supporting Actor
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Winner: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
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Yura Borisov (Anora)
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Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown)
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Guy Pearce (The Brutalist)
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Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice)
Best Animated Feature
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Winner: Flow
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Inside Out 2
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Memoir of a Snail
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Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
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The Wild Robot
Best Animated Short
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Winner: In the Shadow of the Cypress
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Beautiful Men
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Magic Candies
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Wander to Wonder
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Yuck!
Best Costume Design
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Winner: Wicked - Paul Tazewell
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A Complete Unknown - Arianne Phillips
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Conclave - Lisy Christl
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Gladiator II - Janty Yates
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Nosferatu - Linda Muir
Best Original Screenplay
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Winner: Anora - Sean Baker
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The Brutalist - Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold
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A Real Pain - Jesse Eisenberg
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September 5 - Tim Fehlbaum & Moritz Binder
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The Substance - Coralie Fargeat
Best Adapted Screenplay
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Winner: Conclave - Peter Straughan
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A Complete Unknown - Jay Cocks & James Mangold
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Emilia Pérez - Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain & Nicolas Livecchi
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Nickel Boys - RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes
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Sing Sing - Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin & John "Divine G" Whitfield
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
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Winner: The Substance
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A Different Man
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Emilia Pérez
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Nosferatu
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Wicked
The Show Goes On...
With the night still young and more awards yet to be handed out, the 97th Academy Awards are proving to be an unforgettable event. Whether it’s history-making wins, unexpected upsets, or Conan O'Brien's hilarious commentary, this year’s Oscars are delivering everything film lovers could ask for. Stay tuned for more surprises as Hollywood’s biggest night unfolds!
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