Yandex, the Russian multinational corporation specializing in Internet-related products and services, has released intriguing insights based on public interest surrounding the 2025 Oscars. By analyzing search trends leading up to the prestigious event, Yandex revealed which films and personalities were capturing the attention of the audience, potentially influencing the outcome of the awards.
According to analyses from Yandex, the film Substance emerged as the favorite among audiences based on the number of queries generated. Predictably lively discussions online spotlighted varying sentiments about potential winners even before the ceremony took place. Following Substance, the film Anora and Dune: Part Two ranked second and third respectively, indicating significant viewer engagement.
The ten films vying for the Best Picture trophy, ranked by the volume of public search queries, were:
- Substance
- Anora
- Dune: Part Two
- Evil: A Fairy Tale of the Witch from the West
- The Conclave
- Brutalist
- Emilia Perez
- Bob Dylan: Known to No One
- The Boys from Nickel
- I'm Still Here
Among the nominees for Best Director, Sean Baker, the mastermind behind Anora, came out on top as he garnered the most searches compared to his fellow nominees. This suggests not only the audience's familiarity with his work but also their engagement with the narrative he presents. The ranking proceeded as follows:
- Sean Baker, Anora
- Coriolanus Farja, Substance
- Brady Corbet, Brutalist
- James Mangold, Bob Dylan: Known to No One
- Jacques Audiard, Emilia Perez
When evaluating the Best Actress nomination, Demi Moore, who starred in Substance, was at the forefront of searches, indicating considerable interest surrounding her performance. Following her were:
- Demi Moore, Substance
- Maika Madison, Anora
- Cynthia Erivo, Evil: A Fairy Tale of the Witch from the West
- Carla Gascon, Emilia Perez
- Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here
Timothée Chalamet took home the title of most searched actor due to his role in Bob Dylan: Known to No One. His character's depth and the film’s narrative struck chords with viewers, creating buzz prior to the award ceremony. The full list of nominees is:
- Timothée Chalamet, Bob Dylan: Known to No One
- Ralph Fiennes, The Conclave
- Adrien Brody, Brutalist
- Sebastian Stan, A Student: The Rise of Trump
- Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
These results reflect not only the public's engagement and curiosity about the Oscars but also how digital platforms like Yandex can pinpoint cultural engagement trends among users. With Oscar season here, it seems audiences are more eager than ever to share their views, suggestions, and hopes for their favorite films and stars.
By analyzing Yandex searches, we glimpse how public interest can shape narratives around award shows, providing invaluable insights for filmmakers, audiences, and awards organizations alike. With trends showing increasing engagement, one wonders how these shifts will influence future award seasons and the types of films celebrated by both critics and audiences.