Oscar Nominations 2025: The 97th Academy Awards are just around the corner, and the nominations are finally out! This year, Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard’s gripping Spanish-language crime thriller, has set the bar high with 13 nominations, making it the most-recognized non-English-language film in Oscars history.
Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang unveiled the full list of nominees on January 23 in a live-streamed presentation on the Oscars YouTube channel. Following closely behind Emilia Pérez are Wicked and The Brutalist, each earning 10 nominations, while Conclave and A Complete Unknown secured eight nods apiece.
This year’s lineup features a perfect blend of blockbuster hits, international gems, and indie standouts, making it one of the most diverse Oscar rosters to date.
Oscar Nominations 2025 Top Categories and Highlights
The coveted Best Picture category includes a mix of fan-favorites and critical darlings, featuring films like Dune: Part Two, The Substance, and Anora. Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez and The Brutalist continue to dominate across categories like Best Director, Cinematography, and Production Design.
In the Acting Categories, we see a vibrant mix of fresh faces and seasoned stars. Karla Sofía Gascón earned a well-deserved nomination for her powerful performance in Emilia Pérez, making history as one of the few transgender actresses ever nominated for an Oscar. Cynthia Erivo’s enchanting turn in Wicked and Adrien Brody’s haunting performance in The Brutalist are also among the most talked-about nominations.
The Human Touch: What Makes This Year Unique
What makes this year’s nominations particularly striking is the sheer diversity in storytelling. From the visually striking Nosferatu to the deeply personal A Complete Unknown, filmmakers have pushed boundaries to explore untold narratives. Take Emilia Pérez, for example. It’s more than a gripping crime thriller — it’s a bold reimagining of identity, morality, and justice, proving that stories in any language can resonate globally.
This year’s nominees also reflect the evolving landscape of the film industry. With blockbusters like Wicked receiving recognition alongside intimate dramas like Anora, it’s clear that audiences are embracing a wider range of cinematic experiences.
How Tools and Technology Are Changing the Game
The Oscars aren’t just about celebrating creativity — they’re also a reminder of how tools and technology continue to transform the industry. Think about how CGI and advanced visual effects brought Wicked’s magical universe to life or how AI-assisted editing tools helped filmmakers craft the intricate pacing of The Brutalist.
As someone who loves watching behind-the-scenes documentaries, I find it fascinating how tools like real-time rendering and virtual production have accelerated the creative process. For instance, movies like Dune: Part Two use AI-driven simulations to design complex sandstorm sequences, saving weeks of manual work while maintaining stunning realism.
These advancements not only increase productivity for creators but also allow them to dream bigger. A director no longer has to ask, “Can we pull this off?” Instead, it’s about, “How can we make this even more incredible?”
Oscar Nominations 2025 Major Nominees and Categories
Here’s the full list of nominations across major categories, showcasing a mix of critical darlings and audience favorites:
Best Picture
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- I’m Still Here
- Nickel Boys
- The Substance
- Wicked
Best Director
- Sean Baker (Anora)
- Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)
- James Mangold (A Complete Unknown)
- Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)
- Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)
Actor in a Leading Role
- Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)
- Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)
- Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)
- Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)
Actress in a Leading Role
- Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)
- Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)
- Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Demi Moore (The Substance)
- Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)
Actor in a Supporting Role
- Yura Borisov (Anora)
- Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown)
- Guy Pearce (The Brutalist)
- Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice)
Actress in a Supporting Role
- Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown)
- Ariana Grande (Wicked)
- Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)
- Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
- Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
Additional Key Categories
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Nickel Boys
- Sing Sing
Writing (Original Screenplay)
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Real Pain
- September 5
- The Substance
Cinematography
- The Brutalist
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Maria
- Nosferatu
Music (Original Score)
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot
Music (Original Song)
- “El Mal” (Emilia Pérez)
- “The Journey” (The Six Triple Eight)
- “Like A Bird” (Sing Sing)
- “Mi Camino” (Emilia Pérez)
- “Never Too Late” (Elton John: Never Too Late)
Visual Effects
- Alien: Romulus
- Better Man
- Dune: Part Two
- Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes
- Wicked
Costume Design
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Gladiator II
- Nosferatu
- Wicked
Animated Feature Film
- Flow
- Inside Out 2
- Memoir Of A Snail
- Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
- The Wild Robot
A New Era in Film Productivity
What’s truly fascinating this year is how far the tools and technology behind these nominees have evolved, completely reshaping how films are made. For instance, movies like Wicked and Dune: Part Two utilized virtual production stages, allowing directors to see visual effects in real-time during filming. This approach saves weeks, even months, of post-production time, making production teams more efficient and reducing costs.
Personally, I’m blown away by how AI tools are being used in editing. Take The Brutalist as an example. Its sharp transitions and intricate pacing likely benefitted from advanced AI-assisted editing tools, which speed up the tedious process of piecing together scenes while maintaining creative control for editors.
Another example is the animated film Flow. The production team used procedural animation tools to create its unique visual style, significantly cutting down on the man-hours typically needed for hand-drawn elements. These tools allow filmmakers to push creative boundaries while sticking to tight schedules.
The Power of Representation and Storytelling
This year’s Oscars are a testament to the industry’s growing recognition of diverse voices. Films like Emilia Pérez and I’m Still Here remind us of the power of representation — not just in front of the camera, but behind it as well.
In a world where audiences crave authenticity, it’s exciting to see the Academy embrace films that challenge norms and reflect the complexity of human experiences. As we count down to the big night, there’s no doubt that these stories will continue to spark conversations.
Diversity and Representation Shine Bright
One of the standout elements of this year’s nominations is the commitment to diversity and representation. Films like Emilia Pérez, which centers on a transgender lead character, and I’m Still Here, a Brazilian drama, demonstrate how far the industry has come in spotlighting underrepresented voices. These films don’t just entertain — they spark critical conversations about inclusion, identity, and resilience.
It’s also encouraging to see so many women and international directors recognized this year. Coralie Fargeat’s nomination for The Substance and Jacques Audiard’s for Emilia Pérez remind us that powerful stories come from all corners of the globe.
Key Dates to Remember
The 97th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Fans can catch the ceremony live on ABC in the U.S., ITV in the UK, and over 200 territories worldwide. And for the first time ever, the show will also be streamed live on Hulu, making it more accessible than ever before.
So whether you’re rooting for Wicked’s visual spectacle, Dune: Part Two’s technical mastery, or Emilia Pérez to make Oscar history, this year’s ceremony is bound to be unforgettable.