The 97th Academy Awards took center stage on March 2, 2025, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrating the year’s most outstanding achievements in film. Hosted by the charismatic Conan O’Brien, the ceremony was filled with historic wins, emotional speeches, and unforgettable red carpet fashion.
From Sean Baker’s Anora dominating major categories to Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison’s standout performances, the 2025 Oscars delivered plenty of surprises and iconic moments. Beyond the awards, the night was also a dazzling spectacle of style, with stars like Ariana Grande, Zoe Saldaña, and Demi Moore stealing the show on the red carpet.
In this article, we’ll break down the full list of Academy Award winners, highlight the biggest snubs and surprises, and take a closer look at the best-dressed celebrities who graced the red carpet. Let’s dive into the most memorable moments from the Oscars 2025!
Academy Awards Oscar Winners 2025 – Full List of Winners
The 97th Academy Awards took place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, honoring the cinematic achievements of 2024. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony celebrated a diverse array of films and performances. Below is a comprehensive list of the winners across various categories:
Best Picture: Anora
Best Director: Sean Baker – Anora
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Adrien Brody – The Brutalist
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Mikey Madison – Anora
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez
Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker – Anora
Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan – Conclave
Best Animated Feature Film: Flow
Best International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
Best Original Score: Daniel Blumberg – The Brutalist
Best Original Song: “El Mal” – Emilia Pérez
Best Cinematography: Lol Crawley – The Brutalist
Best Production Design: Wicked
Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell – Wicked
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance
Best Film Editing: Sean Baker – Anora
Best Sound: Dune: Part Two
Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
Best Documentary Short Film: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
Best Live Action Short Film: I’m Not a Robot
Best Animated Short Film: In the Shadow of the Cypress
The evening was marked by Anora‘s significant success, securing five awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress. Sean Baker made history by winning four Oscars in one night, a record previously held only by Walt Disney in 1954. The Brutalist also had a notable presence, with Adrien Brody winning Best Actor and the film receiving accolades for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. Wicked was recognized for its excellence in production and costume design, with Paul Tazewell becoming the first Black man to win Best Costume Design. Zoe Saldaña’s win for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Pérez was another highlight of the ceremony.
Overall, the 2025 Oscars showcased a diverse range of talents and stories, reflecting the evolving landscape of the film industry.
Biggest Surprises and Snubs of the 2025 Oscars
The 2025 Academy Awards delivered plenty of surprises, snubs, and unexpected wins that had fans and critics buzzing. Here are some of the biggest shockers of the night:
Biggest Surprises:
- Mikey Madison Wins Best Actress for Anora
- The Best Actress race was tight, but few expected Mikey Madison to take home the Oscar. Her win over industry veterans was a defining moment of the night.
- Zoe Saldaña’s Best Supporting Actress Win for Emilia Pérez
- This category was highly competitive, and Saldaña’s win was a pleasant surprise. While her performance was praised, she was not the frontrunner going into the night.
- Sean Baker’s Dominance with Anora
- The indie filmmaker made history by winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. His quadruple win was a record-breaking moment.
- Paul Tazewell Wins Best Costume Design for Wicked
- In a surprising and historic moment, Tazewell became the first Black man to win in this category, beating out strong contenders from period dramas.
- Flow Wins Best Animated Feature
- Many expected Inside Out 2 or Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse to take this category, but Flow stunned audiences by clinching the award.
Biggest Snubs:
- No Wins for Oppenheimer
- After its massive success at the 2024 Oscars, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was expected to pick up at least a technical award, but it left empty-handed.
- Bradley Cooper Goes Home Without an Oscar (Again)
- Despite Maestro being a strong contender, Cooper once again lost out on both Best Actor and Best Director, continuing his long streak of Oscar losses.
- Emma Stone Misses Out on Best Actress
- After winning in 2024 for Poor Things, many thought Stone might take home back-to-back Oscars. However, she lost to Mikey Madison in a shocking upset.
- Dune: Part Two Underperforms
- The sci-fi epic was expected to sweep technical categories, but it only took home Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, falling short of expectations.
- Leonardo DiCaprio Snubbed for Killers of the Flower Moon
- Despite being a top contender, DiCaprio failed to secure a nomination, let alone a win, further adding to his history of Oscar snubs.
The 2025 Oscars proved to be an exciting night filled with historic wins, major upsets, and a few surprises that will be talked about for years.
Red Carpet Highlights – Best Dressed Stars at the Oscars
The 2025 Oscars red carpet was a dazzling display of glamour, bold fashion choices, and unforgettable moments. Here are the best-dressed stars who stole the spotlight:
Best Dressed Stars at the 2025 Oscars
⭐ Mikey Madison – Elegant Yet Edgy
- The Anora star and Best Actress winner stunned in a custom Alexander McQueen gown. The all-black, structured dress featured delicate lace details and an eye-catching train, blending elegance with a rebellious touch.
⭐ Zendaya – Futuristic Chic
- Zendaya once again proved she’s a red carpet queen in a Mugler vintage couture piece. The metallic silver gown, inspired by sci-fi aesthetics, hugged her figure and was paired with a sleek high ponytail.
⭐ Timothée Chalamet – Rule-Breaking in Custom Prada
- Chalamet defied tradition by skipping a classic tuxedo, opting instead for a cropped pearl-embellished blazer with wide-leg trousers. The monochrome look was both daring and stylish.
⭐ Florence Pugh – Bold in Valentino
- Pugh made a statement in a voluminous, high-low Valentino gown with dramatic ruffles. Her edgy platinum blonde pixie cut added an extra layer of cool.
⭐ Zoe Saldaña – Old Hollywood Glamour
- The Best Supporting Actress winner shimmered in a champagne-colored Versace gown adorned with delicate beading and a flowing cape, channeling vintage Hollywood vibes.
⭐ Rihanna – Maternity Fashion Perfection
- Rihanna, expecting her third child, turned heads in a custom Balenciaga look that celebrated her pregnancy. The draped velvet gown with sheer paneling embraced her signature mix of high fashion and comfort.
⭐ Barry Keoghan – Fashion Forward in Gucci
- The Saltburn star rocked a deep burgundy Gucci suit with floral embroidery, proving that men’s fashion can be just as daring and expressive.
⭐ Margot Robbie – Classic Beauty in Chanel
- Margot Robbie returned to her classic Chanel roots, wearing an ethereal pink gown with subtle shimmer and delicate embellishments, embodying timeless sophistication.
Most Memorable Moments from the 97th Academy Awards
The 97th Academy Awards delivered a night full of unforgettable moments, from historic wins to unexpected surprises. Here are some of the most memorable highlights from the 2025 Oscars:
1. Sean Baker Makes History with Anora
- The indie director shocked Hollywood by winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing for Anora.
- He became the first director since Walt Disney in 1954 to take home four Oscars in one night!
2. Mikey Madison’s Emotional Best Actress Speech
- Madison, a relative newcomer, won Best Actress for Anora in a huge upset over expected frontrunners.
- She delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking director Sean Baker for believing in her and tearing up while dedicating the award to her late grandmother.
3. Kieran Culkin’s Hilarious Yet Heartfelt Best Supporting Actor Speech
- The Succession star won for A Real Pain and joked about how he finally stepped out of his brother Macaulay’s shadow.
- He ended his speech with a sweet tribute to his wife and kids, making the audience swoon.
4. Rihanna’s Surprise Musical Performance
- The music superstar, attending as a guest, unexpectedly took the stage to perform a tribute to film soundtracks.
- Her emotional rendition of “Lift Me Up” (from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) was one of the night’s most goosebump-inducing moments.
5. Conan O’Brien’s Roasting Monologue
- First-time host Conan O’Brien didn’t hold back, delivering hilarious jabs at Hollywood’s biggest names.
- His best line? “Bradley Cooper spent 10 years perfecting Maestro, and tonight, the Academy is giving him a well-deserved… round of applause.” 😆
6. Zoe Saldaña’s First Oscar Win – A Standing Ovation!
- After years in Hollywood, Zoe Saldaña finally won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez.
- The audience gave her a standing ovation, and she was visibly emotional, thanking her Latin heritage and calling the win a “dream come true.”
7. Paul Tazewell Makes History in Best Costume Design
- Tazewell won for Wicked, becoming the first Black man to ever win in this category.
- He dedicated the award to “every young artist who was told their vision was too bold.”
8. The Dune: Part Two Snub Shocked Fans
- Despite being expected to dominate the technical categories, Dune: Part Two only won for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
- Fans were stunned when it lost Best Cinematography and Best Production Design.
9. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Absence Sparks Jokes
- Leo, despite being a staple at the Oscars, was noticeably absent this year.
- Host Conan O’Brien joked: “Leo couldn’t make it tonight—he’s busy vacationing with the Best New Artist nominees.” 😆
10. The In-Memoriam Tribute to Al Pacino, Sir Ian McKellen, and More
- The annual tribute featured a moving performance by Andrea Bocelli, bringing tears to the audience.
- The segment honored Hollywood legends, including Al Pacino, Ian McKellen, and Diane Keaton.
Final Thoughts – The Legacy of Oscars 2025
The 97th Academy Awards will be remembered as a night of historic wins, shocking upsets, and indie film dominance. From Anora’s unexpected sweep to major snubs of Hollywood giants, the 2025 Oscars left an undeniable mark on film history.
1. The Rise of Indie Cinema
- The biggest takeaway from this year’s Oscars was the triumph of independent filmmaking. Anora, a smaller-budget film by Sean Baker, outshined big-budget contenders like Dune: Part Two and Maestro.
- Baker’s four-Oscar win cemented him as one of the most influential modern directors.
2. A Celebration of Diversity & First-Time Winners
- The ceremony saw several first-time winners, including Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldaña, and Kieran Culkin.
- Paul Tazewell’s win for Best Costume Design made history, as he became the first Black man to win in the category.
- The international film category also showcased global storytelling, with Brazil’s I’m Still Here taking the prize.
3. The Oscars Continue to Surprise
- The Best Actress win for Mikey Madison was one of the biggest shocks in recent years, proving that Hollywood is shifting toward recognizing fresh talent.
- Dune: Part Two and Maestro, both expected to dominate, fell short, showing that voters are moving away from traditional Oscar-bait films.
4. Conan O’Brien’s Fresh Take on Hosting
- With sharp wit and perfect comedic timing, Conan’s hosting breathed new life into the Oscars.
- His balance of humor and Hollywood satire could set a new standard for future hosts.
5. The End of an Era?
- With no wins for Oppenheimer and another snub for Bradley Cooper, the Academy seems to be shifting away from the old guard of Oscar favorites.
- This shift signals a new era where storytelling and risk-taking matter more than big names and box office numbers.
The Lasting Impact
The 2025 Oscars will be remembered as the year indie films triumphed, fresh faces took center stage, and Hollywood embraced bold, unconventional storytelling. It was a night that redefined the future of the Academy Awards and left audiences eagerly anticipating what’s next in cinema.
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