The 97th Academy Awards are finally here, and anticipation is at its peak. Tonight, March 2, 2025, the Oscars will celebrate the best films, performances, and creative talent from the past year. Hosted for the first time by Conan O'Brien, the broadcast promises excitement as artists, stars, and movie enthusiasts gather at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
This year, Emilia Pérez leads the nominations with 13, closely followed by The Brutalist and Wicked, each with 10 nominations. The Best Picture category features a stellar lineup, including Anora, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and of course, Emilia Pérez. Yet, as glitz and glamour embrace the night, controversies also lurk. Allegations have arisen against Emilia Pérez, particularly concerning Islamophobic and racist tweets from its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón. Meanwhile, The Brutalist filmmaker Brady Corbet faces scrutiny over the use of AI to add authenticity to dialogue. These narratives add layers to the already thrilling atmosphere of award season!
The Oscars will commence at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT), with the official red carpet coverage starting even earlier. For audiences tuning in from Canada, the Oscars red carpet features ETalk Live at the Oscars, streaming from 6 p.m. ET on CTV.ca and its app. ABC will kick off its red carpet coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by Live From E! hosted by Zuri Hall at 4 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Canadian viewers can also enjoy the ceremony live on the CTV TV channel, and U.S. audiences can catch it on ABC.
Notably, for those who prefer to stream, the 2025 Oscars will be available on Hulu, marking the first year the ceremony will stream live on the platform. For those cutting the cord, services like Sling TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream also provide options to watch the ceremony live, complete with various free trial packages for new subscribers.
Conan O'Brien's hosting debut is generating buzz, and celebrity presenters heighten the excitement. This year's presenters include stars like Joe Alwyn, Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr., and Oprah Winfrey, who will all add star power to the night. The enchanting performances will feature artists like Doja Cat, Ariana Grande, and Queen Latifah, creating stellar musical interludes throughout the ceremony.
Here’s how to watch the Oscars based on your location:
How to Watch the 2025 Oscars
United States
The Oscars will air on ABC, with streaming options via Hulu. It will begin at 7 p.m. ET. New Hulu subscribers can take advantage of the free trial, which offers access to this and many other live broadcasts.
United Kingdom
Viewers can tune in to ITV1 at midnight Monday. The award ceremony will also be available live on ITVX, which requires signing up for an account.
Australia
Channel Seven is set to broadcast the Oscars, with live streaming available on 7Plus, another account-based service.
Worldwide Streaming Options
For viewers outside these regions, using VPN services allows you to access streaming options by altering your virtual location. ExpressVPN is among the most recommended for its reliability and security.
With all the nominees set to make their mark, here’s the complete list of Best Picture contenders:
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Nickel Boys
- Wicked
- The Substance
- I’m Still Here
- A Complete Unknown
The excitement is palpable as the Oscars prepare to honor the best of cinema, and with various streaming options and red carpet coverage available, there's no reason to miss out. So, grab your snacks, settle in, and enjoy the show!