With the Academy Awards just days away, Hollywood is buzzing with excitement as this year’s nominations bring unexpected surprises, historic milestones, and intense competition across multiple categories. From record-breaking performances to the battle of streaming giants, the 2025 Oscars promise to be one of the most unpredictable ceremonies in recent history.
For the first time since 1969, two musicals—Wicked and Emilia Pérez—have been nominated for Best Picture, marking a resurgence for the genre. The last musical to take home the top honor was Chicago in 2003, making this year’s nominations a significant moment for the industry.
Adrien Brody, the youngest actor to ever win Best Actor for The Pianist (2002), has received his second career nomination for The Brutalist. If he wins, he will become the first actor to secure two wins from his first two nominations in the category.
However, standing in his way is Timothée Chalamet, whose portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown makes him a strong contender. A victory for Chalamet would see him overtake Brody’s record as the youngest Best Actor winner, with just 10 months separating their ages at the time of their respective wins.
Streaming platforms have historically struggled at the Oscars, with Netflix’s The Irishman and The Power of the Dog securing multiple nominations but failing to secure Best Picture. While Emilia Pérez leads the nominations this year, its fate remains uncertain, with a history of streaming films falling short in major categories.
The Substance has made history as the first body horror film to be nominated for Best Picture and only the seventh horror film overall. The movie is also a strong contender for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, a category that often aligns with Best Actress wins, potentially boosting Demi Moore’s chances in a tight race.
Both Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) have secured Best Supporting Actor nominations. However, neither of their films is nominated for Best Picture, a disadvantage in the race. Historically, most winners in this category have come from Best Picture contenders, though recent precedent suggests Culkin still has a strong shot at victory.
*Nominated for an eight-minute performance in Conclave, Isabella Rossellini is not the shortest performance to receive an Oscar nod. The record belongs to Beatrice Straight, who won Best Supporting Actress for Network with a role lasting just over five minutes.
Portraying a U.S. President has often led to Oscar recognition, and Sebastian Stan’s nomination for The Apprentice puts him among the few actors to receive a nod for such a role. Unlike his predecessors, however, Stan portrays Donald Trump in his younger years rather than during his presidency.
If Anora sweeps the night, its director Sean Baker could become the first filmmaker ever to win four Oscars in a single night—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing.
With historic matchups, streaming contenders looking to break through, and an unusually diverse set of nominees, the 2025 Oscars are shaping up to be an unpredictable and highly competitive event. Will Adrien Brody make history again? Can musicals return to Oscar glory? Will Sean Baker achieve a record-breaking feat?
All will be revealed at the Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, 2025.