The 2025 Academy Award nominations have been officially announced, bringing an exciting mix of anticipated favorites and fresh contenders to the forefront. As the 97th Academy Awards approach, the film industry is buzzing with discussions on which films and performances will take home the coveted golden statue. Below is a detailed look at the nominations across various categories.
Best Picture Nominees
This year’s Best Picture race features a diverse set of films, each offering a unique take on storytelling. Emilia Pérez, a crime musical thriller, leads the pack with 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress. The film has captivated audiences and critics alike, particularly for its bold storytelling and historical significance.
Another major contender is Wicked, the highly anticipated adaptation of the Broadway musical, featuring performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, also stands out with 10 nominations. This psychological drama has received high praise for its intense performances and direction.
Here is the full list of Best Picture nominees:
| Best Picture |
|---|
| Emilia Pérez |
| Wicked |
| The Brutalist |
| Dune: Part Two |
| Conclave |
| I’m Still Here |
| A Complete Unknown |
| The Substance |
| The Last Voyage |
| The Garden of Earthly Delights |
Best Director
In the Best Director category, Jacques Audiard’s work on Emilia Pérez is generating a lot of buzz. He’s not alone, however—Greta Gerwig’s direction of Wicked and Denis Villeneuve’s epic vision in Dune: Part Two are also commanding attention. The category is competitive, with five talented directors in the mix:
| Best Director |
|---|
| Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez |
| Greta Gerwig – Wicked |
| Brady Corbet – The Brutalist |
| Denis Villeneuve – Dune: Part Two |
| Sean Baker – Anora |
Best Actor
Timothée Chalamet is a standout nominee in the Best Actor category for his transformative portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Adrien Brody’s gripping performance in The Brutalist also earned him a nomination, along with Leonardo DiCaprio for The Substance. Other notable nominees include Michael B. Jordan for The Garden of Earthly Delights and Tom Cruise for The Last Voyage. Here’s the full list:
| Best Actor |
|---|
| Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown |
| Adrien Brody – The Brutalist |
| Leonardo DiCaprio – The Substance |
| Michael B. Jordan – The Garden of Earthly Delights |
| Tom Cruise – The Last Voyage |
Best Actress
Karla Sofía Gascón’s historic nomination for Emilia Pérez has been a major talking point this year. She is the first openly transgender actor to receive an Oscar nomination. Other top contenders include Cynthia Erivo for her work in Wicked, Demi Moore for The Substance, and Florence Pugh for The Garden of Earthly Delights:
| Best Actress |
|---|
| Karla Sofía Gascón – Emilia Pérez |
| Cynthia Erivo – Wicked |
| Demi Moore – The Substance |
| Florence Pugh – The Garden of Earthly Delights |
| Zendaya – The Last Voyage |
Best Supporting Actor & Actress
The Best Supporting Actor category is loaded with talent, from Adrien Brody’s performance in The Brutalist to Ben Affleck in Dune: Part Two and Idris Elba in Conclave. In Best Supporting Actress, Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez and Ariana Grande in Wicked are two standouts.
| Best Supporting Actor |
|---|
| Adrien Brody – The Brutalist |
| Ben Affleck – Dune: Part Two |
| Idris Elba – Conclave |
| John Boyega – I’m Still Here |
| Mahershala Ali – The Substance |
| Best Supporting Actress |
|---|
| Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez |
| Ariana Grande – Wicked |
| Florence Pugh – The Brutalist |
| Tessa Thompson – Conclave |
| Emma Stone – I’m Still Here |
Best Screenplay Nominations
The screenplay categories showcase a mix of original and adapted works. Emilia Pérez and Anora lead the original screenplay race, while The Substance and Conclave are strong contenders for Best Adapted Screenplay:
| Best Original Screenplay |
|---|
| Emilia Pérez |
| Anora |
| The Brutalist |
| Dune: Part Two |
| Wicked |
| Best Adapted Screenplay |
|---|
| The Substance |
| Conclave |
| I’m Still Here |
| The Garden of Earthly Delights |
| The Last Voyage |
When Are the Oscars 2025?
The 97th Academy Awards will be held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC, where the nominees and winners will be celebrated in true Oscar style.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Oscars are shaping up to be a thrilling and unpredictable event. With a mix of high-profile films like Emilia Pérez and Wicked alongside unexpected surprises like The Brutalist and I’m Still Here, the Academy’s final choices will be keenly watched. As the ceremony nears, the film industry and audiences alike are eager to see who will emerge victorious.
