Oscars 2025: Highlights from the 97th Academy Awards

The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, was a night of glamour, celebration, and historic wins. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony honored the best in cinema, with standout moments on the red carpet, emotional speeches, and unforgettable performances. From surprise victories to groundbreaking achievements, the Oscars 2025 showcased the magic of filmmaking and the industry’s brightest talents. This year the star-studded event, celebrating the finest in film, took place at the Dolby Theatre, and the excitement was unmistakable. Here’s a look at the biggest highlights of the night!

The night kicked off with a musical spectacle, as Wicked co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande reunited on stage for a breathtaking performance of Defying Gravity. Making history, Blackpink’s Lisa became the first-ever K-pop artist to perform at the Oscars, leaving the audience in awe. Stealing the spotlight for an amazing James Bond tribute, she performed a stunning rendition of Live and Let Die, the iconic 1973 Bond theme.

Red Carpet Moment:

The red carpet was filled with Hollywood’s biggest names dazzling in designer couture. Demi Moore, Zoe Saldaña, Mikey Madison, Rachel Zegler, and Cynthia Erivo made stunning appearances, setting the tone for a glamorous night. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, stars of last year’s blockbuster Barbie, reunited on the carpet, sparking excitement among fans. Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh were among the A-listers turning heads. While Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone had a fun reunion, giving fans a nostalgic moment. To everyone’s surprise, Halle Berry and Adrien Brody recreated their iconic moment from the 2003 Academy Awards on the 2025 Oscars red carpet. More than two decades after their unexpected kiss on stage, Berry turned the tables by surprising Brody with a kiss of her own, creating one of the night’s most talked-about moments!

Leading the nominations was the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez with 13 nominations, making history as the most-nominated non-English-language film in Oscars history. The Brutalist and Wicked followed closely behind. In the Best Live Action Short category, the Indian entry Anuja, unfortunately, lost to I’m Not a Robot. One of the biggest wins of the night was Dune: Part Two, which took home the Oscar for Best Sound, presented by Miles Teller and Miley Cyrus. The Best Actor award went to Adrien Brody, whose emotional and heartfelt acceptance speech became one of the most memorable moments of the evening.

The evening featured an array of celebrity presenters, including Meryl Streep, Robert Downey Jr., Anya Taylor-Joy, Austin Butler, Zendaya, Pedro Pascal, and Scarlett Johansson. Comedy duo Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig delivered a hilarious segment, while Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock reunited on stage, sending Speed fans into a frenzy.

Other top moments included Greta Gerwig’s powerful speech on women in filmmaking, a standing ovation for Christopher Nolan, and an emotional tribute to late Hollywood icons, reminding everyone of the impact of cinema. Now looking at the winners list let’s see who won the awards in which category.

OSCARS WINNERS 2025:

• Best Picture: Anora emerged as the night’s top winner, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.
  
• Best Actor: Adrien Brody received the Best Actor award for his performance in The Brutalist, which also won two additional Oscars.
  
• Best actress: Mikey Madison from the film Anora
  
• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña made history by becoming the first American of Dominican origin to win Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez.
  
• Best supporting actor: Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain
  
• Best director: Sean Baker – Anora
  
• Best international feature: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
  
• Best animated feature: Flow
  
• Best cinematography: The Brutalist
  
• Best original screenplay: Anora – Sean Baker
  
• Best documentary feature: No other land
  
• Best animated short: In the Shadow of the Cypress
  
• Best documentary short: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
  
• Best adapted screenplay: Conclave – Peter Straughan
  
• Best live action short: I‘m Not a Robot
  
• Best original song: El Mal – Emilia Pérez
  
• Best original score: The Brutalist
  
• Best costume design: Wicked
  
• Best make-up and hairstyling: The Substance
  
• Best production design: Wicked
  
• Best sound: Dune: Part Two
  
• Best film editing: Anora
  
• Best visual effects: Dune: Part Two

The Oscars 2025 was truly a night to remember filled with historic wins, emotional speeches, unforgettable performances, and a celebration of the best in film.