The Oscars is one of the biggest nights for the film industry. It’s a night to celebrate the best movies and performances of the year. People watch to see who wins, but also to enjoy the extravagance and excitement of the ceremony. In 2025, the excitement surrounding the Oscars was no different, with a blend of expected wins and shocking upsets. From the heart-warming speeches to the exciting performances, the 2025 Oscar’s didn’t disappoint.
Glimpse at the 2025 nominees:
This year’s Oscars feature a mix of independent films and big-budget blockbusters. Anora and The Substance are (figure out which verb tense to use here) both up for not only Best Picture, but Best Director as well. The Brutalist, recognized for its unique style, also got nods in several categories. Acting-wise, nominations include Adrien Brody and Fernanda Torres being recognized for their raw performances.
The Big Winners:
The genre-bending film “Anora,” with its relaxed attitude toward sex work loaded with profanities, took the prize for best picture and four other Oscars at the 97th Academy Awards. The selection was a surprise, mirroring a changing academy- younger, edgier, and far less concerned with box office funds. “Anora,” distributed by Neon, has the record for the lowest domestic box office receipts in best picture nomination history, excluding pandemic-affected years. Comscore, which monitors ticketing data, says Baker’s film has grossed just $15.7 million in the United States and Canada since its opening in October.
The “Anora” directors and cast walked onto the Oscars stage after a win of the prestigious award of Best Picture. Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, and Sean Baker took the award for the film. Coco, during his acceptance speech, called on independent film directors, saying, “We made this movie independently. If you’re trying to make independent films, please keep doing it. We need more. This is proof.”
Another indie film, “The Brutalist,” which cost $10 million to produce, earned $15.8 million. It won three Oscars. Adrien Brody won the best actor award for his role as a Holocaust survivor in the film, which also won for cinematography and music. It was Brody’s second Oscar; his first was in 2003 for his role in “The Pianist.”
The Netflix musical “Emilia Pérez” brought home two Oscars (song and supporting actress) as did “Wicked” which won two Oscars (production design and costume design) so did). “Dune: Part Two” also got two (sound and visual effects).
Mikey Madison (for Anora) became the first member of Generation Z to win an acting Oscar. Zoe Saldaña (for Emilia Pérez) became the first Dominican American to win an Oscar for acting and took home the Best Supporting Actress prize. No Other Land, which won Best Documentary Feature Film, is the first Palestinian film to win an Academy Award. Its co-director Basel Adra is the first Palestinian to win an Oscar. Paul Tazewell, who worked on Wicked, is the first Black man and the second Black costume designer in history to win Best Costume Design, following Ruth E. Carter, who had won for Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The Oscars are still a big deal in the film industry, but individuals tend to call them out about their diversity, voting process, and how relevant they truly are. They’ve changed some things around to fix those issues, but individuals still argue whether or not it does make a difference. Some feel that the Oscars actually showcase true artistic talent, while others see them as a popularity contest in the industry. The future of the Oscars simply depends on their ability to keep pace with what people want and what is happening in the industry.
