The 2025 Oscars are almost here! Hollywood's biggest night, the 97th Academy Awards, will air live on March 2 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT from the iconic Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. Fans from all over the world can view the ceremony as it will be broadcast on ABC and streamed live on Hulu for the first time.
This year, the ceremony is especially exciting as it features standout films and performances. Leading the nominations is Jacques Audiard's "Emilia Pérez," garnering 13 nominations, followed closely by Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" and Jon M. Chu's "Wicked," each receiving 10 nominations. The diverse range of nominated films also includes James Mangold's "A Complete Unknown" and Edward Berger's "Conclave," which each received eight nods.
The Best Picture category showcases 10 films, including "Anora," "Dune: Part Two," "I'm Still Here," and "Nickel Boys," alongside the aforementioned contenders. The anticipation for who will take home the coveted awards is palpable as there's no clear frontrunner, making this year one of the most unpredictable races yet!
With Conan O'Brien taking the reins as host for the first time, viewers can expect his unique humor and engaging personality to add to the festivities. "We polled America. I spent a lot of my own money polling Americans and saying, 'Would you like to see Conan O'Brien sing and dance?'" O'Brien joked earlier. "Shocking response—people don't want it, which means they'll probably try and do it!"
The red carpet events leading up to the ceremony are also noteworthy. ABC will provide special coverage, including "Countdown to the Oscars with Robin Roberts: A Special Edition of 20/20," and "On the Red Carpet at the Oscars," which will feature exclusive interviews with nominees. Initial pre-show segments, hosted by Linsey Davis and Whit Johnson, will highlight the nominees' arrivals.
Featured musical performances are another highlight, with stars like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who are expected to perform from the hit musical "Wicked." Other performers include Doja Cat, Lisa from Blackpink, Queen Latifah, and Raye. Music producer Michael Bearden hinted fans should expect something special when the duo takes the stage. "Anytime you see those two together, you have to expect something, so that's what I'll say," he teased on February 26.
Notably, this year will have some changes to the usual schedule. Traditionally, nominated songs for Best Original Song are performed live, but this time, the Oscars will focus on honoring the songwriters' artistry instead. The focus will be on personal reflections rather than performances, aiming to showcase the creativity behind the nominated works.
Among the nominees, standout performances to anticipate include Demi Moore from "The Substance," Timothée Chalamet from "A Complete Unknown," and Kieran Culkin from "A Real Pain." Critics predict Demi Moore is the favorite to win Best Actress for her role portraying Elizabeth Sparkle, based on her sweeping wins at the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards.
The Best Actor category has seen fierce competition between Adrien Brody for "The Brutalist" and Timothée Chalamet, with Brody having won multiple precursor awards. While predictions favor Chalamet, Brody's performance as Holocaust survivor László Tóth resonates deeply with audiences and critics alike.
The 2025 Oscars will honor previous acting winners, including Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, as they present awards, adding to the star-studded lineup.
Despite controversies surrounding some nominees—particularly Karla Sofía Gascón from "Emilia Pérez," who faced backlash for racist tweets—the excitement for the ceremony remains high. The Academy is also likely to pay tribute to beloved actor Gene Hackman, who recently passed away under mysterious circumstances.
The final predictions for Oscar winners will be rolling out leading up to the ceremony, with varying opinions on frontrunners, dark horses, and potential surprises. Films like "Anora," "Conclave," and "The Brutalist" are expected to compete fiercely for the top prize of Best Picture.
The Academy Awards serve as not only recognition of artistic achievements but also as entertainment spectacles filled with glitz and glamour, showcasing the filmmaking community's vast talent. Who will emerge victorious? Set your reminders for March 2nd to catch all the action!