The 2025 Academy Award nominations have been announced, with Netflix’s Emilia Perez leading the race with 13 nominations, including Best Picture. The Spanish-language musical follows a Mexican drug lord’s transition to a new life and has captivated audiences worldwide.
Close behind are The Brutalist and Wicked, each securing 10 nominations. The Brutalist is a powerful drama about a Holocaust survivor-turned-architect chasing the American dream, while Wicked, the highly anticipated prequel to The Wizard of Oz, has resonated with both critics and audiences.
Among other Best Picture nominees are A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, and Anora, a dark romantic comedy. The list also includes Conclave, a thriller about papal succession, alongside Dune Part 2, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and the Brazilian political docudrama I’m Still Here.
A historic moment came in the Best Actress category, where Karla Sofía Gascón became the first openly transgender actor nominated for an Oscar for her role in Emilia Perez. Joining her is Demi Moore, nominated for her performance in The Substance, a role that has reignited discussions about her career and Hollywood’s treatment of female stars.
In the Best Actor category, nominations include Chalamet, Adrien Brody, and Sebastian Stan, the latter earning recognition for his portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice. Co-star Jeremy Strong, who played Trump’s controversial attorney Roy Cohn, also received a Supporting Actor nomination.
Wicked continues its dominance, with Cynthia Erivo nominated for Best Actress, while Ariana Grande received a Supporting Actress nomination for her role as a young witch. Grande, overwhelmed with emotion, shared on social media: “I cannot stop crying.”
The Oscars ceremony, scheduled for March 2, has faced delays due to ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, which also impacted Hollywood’s awards season. Despite these challenges, organizers reaffirmed their commitment to celebrating cinema and resilience.
The awards will be broadcast live on ABC, with Conan O’Brien set to host. With no clear frontrunner, the 2025 Oscars promise an unpredictable and exciting competition for cinema’s most prestigious prize.
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