The 97th Academy Awards celebrated the best in cinema, with an evening filled with surprises, heartfelt speeches, and stunning red carpet fashion. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the 2025 Oscars saw Sean Baker’s “Anora” emerge as the biggest winner of the night, taking home five awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The competition was fierce, with “Emilia Pérez,” “The Brutalist,” and “Wicked” also securing multiple nominations and wins. Let’s take a look into the highlights of this year’s Oscars.
Oscar Awards 2025: 97th Academy Awards Highlights
- “Anora” dominated with five wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
- Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her performance in “Anora.”
- Adrian Brody secured his second Best Actor Oscar for “The Brutalist.“
- Zoe Saldaña became the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar, taking home Best Supporting Actress for “Emilia Pérez.”
- The Best Supporting Actor award went to Kieran Culkin for “A Real Pain.”
- “Flow” won Best Animated Feature, beating “Inside Out 2.”
- “Dune: Part Two” won in technical categories, securing Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
Where To Watch The Oscars Live?
The 2025 Oscars were broadcast live on ABC and streamed online via platforms like Hulu Live, YouTube TV, and the ABC app. International audiences could watch through regional networks such as BBC in the UK and Star Movies and JioHotstar in India.
2025 Oscar’s Red Carpet: Best Dresses
The Oscars red carpet was a spectacle of elegance and unique fashion choices. Mikey Madison dazzled in a custom couture gown that exuded old Hollywood glamour, while Demi Moore turned heads with an avant-garde ensemble inspired by her role in “The Substance.” Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande embraced their “Wicked” roles with dramatic, show-stopping outfits that paid homage to the beloved musical. On the men’s side, Colman Domingo reaffirmed his status as a style icon with a sleek, impeccably tailored suit, and Jeremy Strong made a statement with his unique and bold fashion choices. The 2025 Oscars red carpet proved to be a mix of classic sophistication and daring innovation, reflecting the diverse personalities of this year’s nominees.
Complete List Of 2025 Oscar Winners & Nominations
| Category | Winner | Nominations |
| Best Picture | Anora | The Brutalist A Complete Unknown Conclave Dune: Part Two Emilia Pérez I’m Still Here Nickel Boys The Substance Wicked |
| Best Actress | Mikey Madison (Anora) | Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) Karla Sofia Gascón (Emilia Pérez) Demi Moore (The Substance) Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) |
| Best Actor | Adrian Brody (The Brutalist) | Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)
Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) | Yura Borisov (Anora) Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown) Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) |
| Best Supporting Actress | Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) | Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown) Ariana Grande (Wicked) Felicity Jones (The Brutalist) Isabella Rossellini (Conclave) |
| Best Director | Sean Baker (Anora) | Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez) Coralie Fargeat (The Substance) |
| Best Cinematography | The Brutalist | Dune: Part Two Emilia Pérez Maria Nosferatu |
| Best Animated Feature | Flow | Inside Out 2 Memoir of a Snail Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl The Wild Robot |
| Best Visual Effects | Dune: Part Two | Alien: Romulus Better Man Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Wicked |
Surprises At Academy Awards 2025
The 2025 Oscars were filled with unexpected wins and historic moments. Sean Baker made history by winning four Oscars in one night for “Anora,” tying Walt Disney’s long-standing record. Karla Sofía Gascón’s nomination for Best Actress marked a major milestone as she became the first transgender woman to be recognized in an acting category. Zoe Saldaña’s heartfelt win was another standout moment, celebrating her Dominican heritage and breaking new ground in Hollywood representation. Additionally, “The Brutalist” shocked audiences by securing the Best Cinematography award over “Dune: Part Two,” which was widely expected to win in the category. The night was a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of the Academy Awards, where underdogs and history-makers took center stage.
Interesting Facts About Academy Awards 2025
The Oscar trophy cannot be sold without first offering it back to the Academy for $1.
Zoe Saldaña dedicated her award to her immigrant grandmother in a moving speech.
“Anora” became the most awarded film of the night, securing five Oscars.
Adrian Brody, winning his second Oscar, remains the youngest-ever Best Actor winner.
“Flow” surprised audiences by winning Best Animated Feature over “Inside Out 2.”
Wrap Up
The 97th Academy Awards delivered a night full of surprises, record-breaking wins, and stunning fashion moments. “Anora” emerged as the biggest winner, cementing its place in cinema history. With outstanding performances, historic achievements, and emotional speeches, the 2025 Oscars will be remembered as a celebration of talent and diversity in Hollywood.
