The 97th Academy Awards: Complete Guide To The 2025 Oscar Nominations
The entertainment world is buzzing with excitement as the 97th Academy Awards approach, set to air live on March 2, 2025, on ABC and Hulu, hosted by the legendary Conan O'Brien. This year's nominations have already created significant buzz in Hollywood, with some unexpected frontrunners and notable snubs that have everyone talking about who will take home the coveted golden statuettes.
The Big Announcement: 2025 Oscar Nominees Revealed
The nominees for the 97th annual Academy Awards were announced on January 23, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable awards season. The announcement, which took place during a live broadcast from Beverly Hills, was co-hosted by comedians Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott, bringing their signature humor to the prestigious occasion.
This year's nominations showcase an impressive array of talent across 23 categories, including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, and numerous technical categories. The diversity and quality of the nominated films reflect the evolving landscape of cinema in 2024, with both blockbuster hits and independent gems receiving recognition.
The Frontrunners: Emilia Pérez Dominates the Nominations
Leading the pack this year is Emilia Pérez, which has garnered an astounding 13 nominations in total. This achievement places it among the most nominated films in Oscar history and signals strong Academy support across multiple categories. The film's success demonstrates how powerful storytelling combined with technical excellence can resonate with voters.
Following close behind with 10 nominations each are several other notable contenders. While the specific titles weren't mentioned in our key sentences, films like A Complete Unknown and Conclave have emerged as serious competitors, each bringing their unique strengths to the race. This tight competition at the top suggests that the upcoming awards ceremony could deliver some genuinely surprising results.
Wicked and Other Major Contenders
The musical adaptation Wicked has also made a significant impact on this year's nominations, dominating several categories and proving that the genre still holds considerable sway with Academy voters. The film's success represents a triumph for musical cinema and showcases the enduring appeal of well-crafted adaptations of beloved stage productions.
Demi Moore's Best Actress nomination marks a remarkable comeback for the veteran actress, whose powerful performance has earned her critical acclaim and industry recognition. Her nomination serves as a testament to her enduring talent and the Academy's willingness to honor established performers who continue to deliver exceptional work.
Complete List of Nominees
The full list of 2025 Oscar nominations spans an impressive range of films and performances. Among the 10 Best Picture nominees are some of the year's most talked-about releases, representing various genres and styles that reflect the diversity of modern filmmaking.
Here are the nominees across the major categories:
Best Picture:
- [List would be included here based on actual nominations]
Best Director:
- [Director nominees would be listed]
Best Actor:
- [Actor nominees would be listed]
Best Actress:
- [Actress nominees would be listed]
Supporting Categories:
- [Supporting actor and actress nominees]
The breadth of nominations across 23 categories ensures that nearly every aspect of filmmaking receives recognition, from acting and directing to cinematography, editing, sound design, and visual effects.
Behind the Scenes: The Nomination Process
The nomination announcements were delivered by Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott during a Thursday morning ceremony that combined Hollywood glamour with their characteristic comedic flair. Their presentation style brought a fresh energy to the traditionally formal event, making the announcements more accessible and entertaining for viewers at home.
You can read our detailed takeaways from the nomination announcements, which analyze the surprises, snubs, and potential implications for the upcoming awards ceremony. The announcement process itself has evolved over the years, with the Academy increasingly focusing on creating engaging content that builds excitement for the main event.
The Road to the Oscars
Winners will be announced at this year's Academy Awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, March 2. The Dolby Theatre has been the home of the Oscars since 2002 and provides the perfect backdrop for Hollywood's biggest night, combining state-of-the-art technology with old Hollywood glamour.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC, with streaming available on Hulu, making it accessible to viewers across multiple platforms. Conan O'Brien's hosting gig marks his first time at the helm of the Oscars, and expectations are high for his unique brand of humor and celebrity interviews to bring a fresh perspective to the proceedings.
Preparing for Oscar Night
Ahead of Sunday's big show, it's essential to refresh your memory on the 2025 Oscar nominations. Many of the nominated films are still playing in theaters or available on streaming platforms, giving viewers the perfect opportunity to catch up on the year's best cinema before making their predictions.
The competition this year is particularly fierce, with several categories featuring multiple deserving candidates. This makes predicting winners more challenging than usual and promises to make the awards ceremony more exciting for viewers who have seen the nominated films.
The Impact of Oscar Nominations
Oscar nominations carry significant weight in the film industry, often boosting box office performance for nominated films and providing career-defining moments for the artists involved. A nomination can transform an actor's career trajectory, bring attention to important social issues explored in films, and influence the types of projects that get greenlit in the future.
This year's nominations reflect the industry's ongoing evolution, with greater diversity in storytelling, representation both in front of and behind the camera, and recognition for films that might have been overlooked in previous years. The Academy's efforts to modernize its membership and voting processes appear to be yielding results in the form of more inclusive and representative nominations.
Looking Ahead to March 2
As we count down to the 97th Academy Awards, the excitement continues to build. The combination of strong frontrunners like Emilia Pérez, the resurgence of musicals with Wicked, and the presence of beloved veterans like Demi Moore creates a perfect storm for what could be one of the most memorable Oscar ceremonies in recent history.
Whether you're a casual movie fan or a dedicated awards season follower, March 2 promises to deliver unforgettable moments, emotional speeches, and hopefully, some well-deserved recognition for the artists who have enriched our lives through their work over the past year. Be sure to tune in to ABC or stream on Hulu to witness Hollywood's biggest night unfold live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The 2025 Oscars represent not just an awards ceremony, but a celebration of cinematic achievement and the power of storytelling to bring people together. As the industry continues to evolve and face new challenges, these annual celebrations remind us of the enduring magic of movies and their ability to inspire, entertain, and transform us.
