Oscars 2025: Hollywood’s Biggest Night Recapped!

"Anora"

Sean Baker's "Anora" dominated the evening, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Baker's remarkable achievement of winning four Oscars in a single night matches a record set by Walt Disney in 1954. In his acceptance speech for Best Director, Baker expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, "This film was a labor of love, and I'm eternally grateful to the cast, crew, and everyone who believed in our vision." Mikey Madison was awarded Best Actress in a tight race against Demi Moore leading up to the Oscars. She tearfully thanked Baker, saying, "Sean, you saw something in me I hadn't yet seen in myself. This award is as much yours as it is mine." ​The film won best picture against strong contenders such as Dune: Part Two, Wicked, Conclave, and The Substance.

"The Brutalist"

Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" garnered three Oscars, with Adrien Brody winning Best Actor for his role as architect László Tóth. Brody’s speech was both emotional and lengthy (clocking in at almost 5:40 mins, the longest verifiable Oscars acceptance speech ever.) Brody reflected, “Acting is a very fragile profession. It looks very glamorous, and in certain moments, it is, but the one thing that I’ve gained from having the privilege to come back here is to have some perspective. No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away.” The film also received Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score.

"Emilia Pérez"

Leading the nominations with 13 nods, Jacques Audiard's "Emilia Pérez" only secured two awards. Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her performance, making history as the first American of Dominican origin to win an Oscar. In her acceptance speech, Saldaña expressed, "This role challenged me in ways I never imagined, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to tell such a profound story." The film also triumphed in the Best Original Song category for "El Mal." ​The film’s Oscars campaign was halted by the reemergence of racist and offensive tweets from the lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón, thus resulting in a controversy and steering away voters.

"Wicked"

The film adaptation of the beloved musical "Wicked" won two Oscars, including Best Costume Design. Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win in this category, stating, "This award is a testament to the rich tapestry of our stories and the importance of representation in art." The film also received accolades for Best Production Design, highlighting its visual splendor.

"Dune: Part Two"

Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two" continued the saga's success by winning Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. In their acceptance speech, the visual effects team remarked, "Bringing the world of Arrakis to life was a monumental task, and we're thrilled to see audiences resonate with our work." ​

Notable Wins

Best Supporting Actor

Kieran Culkin clinched the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Benji Kaplan in Jesse Eisenberg's “A Real Pain.” Culkin was a heavy favorite to win after sweeping BAFTA, Critic's Choice, Golden Globe, and SAG awards for the film. In his acceptance speech, Culkin hilariously called out his wife, who promised him a fourth kid if he wins an Oscar, and said: “let’s get cracking on the kids, what do you say? I love you.” “A Real Pain” is a comedy-drama that follows two Jewish-American cousins, David and Benji, as they embark on a journey to Poland to honor their late grandmother's heritage.

Best International Feature Film

"I'm Still Here" from Brazil won Best International Feature Film, the first Brazilian film to win the award and the first to be nominated. The film is a political drama based on the true story of Eunice Paiva, whose husband Rubens “disappeared” and was murdered in 1970s Brazil. Director Walter Salles dedicated the award to Paiva, and to the “two women who gave life to her”: Torres and Montenegro. Going up against Emilia Perez was a tough battle; however, after the failed Oscar campaign, I’m Still Here managed to snag the Oscar and please cinephiles and critics who thought Emilia Perez’ representation of Mexico wasn’t authentic. 

Best Documentary Feature

"No Other Land" took home the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. The film follows the Israeli authorities attempting to evict the around 1,000 Palestinian inhabitants of Masafer Yatta, in order to create a military "firing zone" or training ground for Israeli forces. Their home lies within Area C of the West Bank, which remains under the full authority of Israel and is littered with settlements, illegal under international law, whose inhabitants regularly harass Palestinians, vandalize their homes and vehicles, and shoot them. The filmmaker Basel Adra accepted the Oscar and called on the world to “take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.” Despite winning top prizes in Europe and the United States, the film has yet to reach a deal for US distribution.

Performances

Opening medley by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

The evening commenced with a mesmerizing medley from Wicked, delivered by co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Ariana, shimmering in a ruby-inspired gown, began with a soulful rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Cynthia followed with a heartfelt performance of "Home" from The Wiz. The duo then united for a powerful duet of "Defying Gravity," the hit song and emotional climax soundtrack of Wicked: Part One. Their collaboration earned a standing ovation, with audience members visibly moved by the emotional delivery. ​

James Bond musical tribute by “Born Again” trio

In honor of longtime James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the Oscars presented a dynamic tribute to the iconic spy franchise. Lisa of BLACKPINK energized the audience with "Live and Let Die," Doja Cat delivered a sultry rendition of "Diamonds Are Forever," and Raye captivated with "Skyfall." Actress Margaret Qualley added a unique touch with a dance performance set to the classic James Bond theme, celebrating the legacy of 007. ​

Quincy Jones tribute by Queen Latifah

The ceremony also honored the late Quincy Jones with a heartfelt tribute by Queen Latifah. Introduced by Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, Latifah performed "Ease on Down the Road" from The Wiz, reflecting Jones's significant contributions to music and film. Her performance, accompanied by vibrant choreography, celebrated Jones's enduring legacy and influence in the entertainment industry.