The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at Hollywood’s iconic Dolby Theatre, brought months of anticipation to a thrilling close. Hosted for the first time by Conan O’Brien, the night was filled with surprises, historic victories, and emotional moments that will be remembered for years to come.
While some fans were caught up in the controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez, others celebrated the success of Wicked, but the evening ultimately belonged to Anora. The film not only won the coveted Best Picture award but also helped Sean Baker make history by taking home four Oscars in a single night—a rare feat in Academy history.
From Mikey Madison’s career-defining Best Actress win to Wicked’s milestone in costume design, here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Oscars, along with the complete list of winners.
Anora Takes Center Stage with Five Oscars
Despite facing stiff competition, Anora emerged as the biggest winner of the night, securing:
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Best Picture
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Best Director (Sean Baker)
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Best Original Screenplay (Sean Baker)
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Best Film Editing
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Best Actress (Mikey Madison)
Sean Baker, previously Oscar-less, walked away with four awards, setting a record for the most wins in one night for a single film. His directorial prowess, storytelling skills, and editing finesse were widely recognized by critics and audiences alike.
Mikey Madison Triumphs Over Demi Moore in Best Actress Race
One of the most closely contested categories of the night was Best Actress, where Mikey Madison (Anora) and Demi Moore (The Substance) were in a neck-and-neck battle. While Moore had an impressive run in the awards season, winning several key honors, Madison’s late momentum—fueled by her wins at the BAFTA Awards and Indie Spirits—ultimately helped her clinch the Oscar.
Adrien Brody Wins His Second Oscar for The Brutalist
The Best Actor category was another highlight of the night. After a competitive race that saw Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) as a strong contender, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) emerged victorious. This marks his second Oscar win, reinforcing his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most formidable performers.
Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña Shine in Supporting Categories
In the Best Supporting Actor race, Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) continued his awards season dominance, adding an Oscar to his collection after winning at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.
Similarly, Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) took home the Best Supporting Actress award, capping off a spectacular awards season.
Historic Win for Paul Tazewell
Wicked’s Paul Tazewell made history by becoming the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design. His stunning designs helped bring the magical world of Wicked to life, earning widespread acclaim.
Diane Warren Extends Her Oscars Losing Streak
Despite her legendary career, songwriter Diane Warren suffered her 16th consecutive loss in the Best Original Song category. Her song The Journey (The Six Triple Eight) lost to El Mal (Emilia Pérez), continuing one of the most unfortunate records in Oscar history.
Memorable Moments from the Ceremony
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A Musical Tribute to Quincy Jones: Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey reunited to introduce a Queen Latifah-led tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones.
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A Magical Opening Performance: Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo kicked off the show with a spectacular Wizard of Oz-inspired medley.
Major Awards
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Best Picture: Anora
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Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
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Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
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Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
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Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
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Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
Technical and Creative Categories
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Best Animated Feature: Flow
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Best International Feature: I'm Still Here
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Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
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Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan (Conclave)
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Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker (Anora)
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Best Film Editing: Anora
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Best Cinematography: The Brutalist
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Best Production Design: Wicked
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Best Costume Design: Wicked
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Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance
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Best Original Score: The Brutalist
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Best Original Song: "El Mal" (Emilia Pérez)
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Best Sound: Dune: Part Two
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Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
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Best Live-Action Short: I'm Not a Robot
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Best Animated Short: In the Shadow of the Cypress
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Best Documentary Short: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
Special Awards
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Academy Honorary Awards: Juliet Taylor, Quincy Jones
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Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Richard Curtis
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Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award: Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson
Final Thoughts: A Night to Remember
The 2025 Oscars delivered drama, celebration, and history-making moments. Anora’s sweeping victory, Sean Baker’s record-breaking night, and Paul Tazewell’s historic win in costume design were just a few of the highlights.
With another awards season in the books, Hollywood now turns its attention to the next wave of cinematic masterpieces that will define the future of film.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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