The 2025 Oscar race is shaping up to be highly competitive with several films and performances expected to dominate the awards season. Among the top contenders for Best Picture are titles such as “Anora,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Nickel Boys,” “September 5,” “The Brutalist,” “The Substance,” and “Wicked.” These films have garnered significant attention for their storytelling, direction, and production values, positioning them as strong candidates for the coveted Best Picture Oscar[1].
In the acting categories, the Best Actor and Best Actress races appear to have a few locked-in nominees, with others vying for the final spots. For Best Actress, Cynthia Erivo in “Wicked,” Karla Sofía Garcón in “Emilia Pérez,” Mikey Madison in “Anora,” Demi Moore in “The Substance,” and Fernanda Torres in “I’m Still Here” are considered frontrunners. Other notable actresses in the mix include Pamela Anderson for “The Last Showgirl,” Angelina Jolie for “Maria,” Nicole Kidman for “Babygirl,” Kate Winslet for “Lee,” and Zendaya for “Challengers”[1].
The Best Supporting Actor category features strong contenders such as Yura Borisov in “Anora,” Kieran Culkin in “A Real Pain,” Edward Norton in “A Complete Unknown,” Guy Pearce in “The Brutalist,” and Denzel Washington in “Gladiator II.” Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña (for Best Supporting Actress in “Emilia Pérez”) are widely expected to secure nominations, reflecting their standout performances[1][4].
Directorially, the competition is intense with no clear frontrunner dominating the field. The race is expected to be influenced by the trajectory of accolades throughout the season, with films like “The Brutalist” and “Dune: Part Two” being strong contenders. The Directors Guild Awards and Producers Guild Awards will likely provide further insight into who might take home the Oscar for Best Director[1][4].
In addition to the major categories, other areas such as Best Animated Feature are seeing a tight race between the indie hit “Flow” and the studio blockbuster “The Wild Robot.” The Adapted Screenplay category is also competitive, with “Conclave” coming in strong after sweeping several precursor awards including BAFTA and Critics Choice[4].
The season has also seen some surprises and shifts in momentum. For example, films like “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet,” and “Marty Supreme” are emerging as significant contenders with the potential to earn multiple nominations. These films have been recognized for their artistic merit and have generated buzz at various film festivals and precursor awards[5].
Casting is another category to watch closely this year. Films with a mix of Hollywood legends and newcomers, such as “No Other Choice” and “Sentimental Value,” are expected to be strong contenders for the Casting Directors Guild Award, which often predicts Oscar success in this category[3].
Overall, the 2025 Oscars are expected to feature a diverse and dynamic group of nominees across all categories. The race remains open with several films and performances gaining momentum as the awards season progresses. The final nominations, announced in late January, will provide a clearer picture of who is poised to win big at the 97th Academy Awards[1][4][5].
