Los Angeles, CA - March 2, 2025
The 97th Academy Awards are set to take place on March 2, 2025, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, this year's show promises a blend of humor, emotion, and fierce competition among the nominees.
Oscars 2025 Highlights - Quick Looks
- When & Where: March 2 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
- Host: Conan O'Brien brings humor and heartfelt tributes to wildfire victims.
- Streaming Options: Live on ABC, Hulu, Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV.
- Presenter Lineup: Featuring Selena Gomez, Oprah Winfrey, Joe Alwyn, Halle Berry, and more.
- Wildfire Impact: Ceremony honors firefighters and those affected.
- Best Picture Contenders: "Anora," "The Brutalist," "Dune: Part 2," among the top 10 nominees.
- Performance Changes: No best song performances; "Wicked" may feature.
- Oscar Favorites: "Anora" leads with guild wins; Demi Moore and Adrien Brody are acting frontrunners.
- Controversy: "Emilia Perez" leads nominations but faces backlash.
A Ceremony Rooted in Resilience
Despite calls to postpone due to devastating wildfires, the Academy moved forward, framing the event as a beacon of hope. Conan O'Brien acknowledged the hardship, stating, "So many people lost everything. We also realize that it is important for us to do justice to the reality of the world while celebrating the role that each of us plays."
Star-Studded Presenter Lineup
The 2025 Oscars presenter lineup includes:
- Selena Gomez
- Oprah Winfrey
- Joe Alwyn
- Goldie Hawn
- Ben Stiller
- Ana de Armas
- Sterling K. Brown
- Willem Dafoe
- Lily-Rose Depp
- Connie Nielsen
Major Changes: No Live Best Song Performances
The Best Original Song nominees will not have live performances this year. Instead, personal insights from songwriters will be featured. However, there may be a tribute to "Wicked", the year's biggest box office hit.
Best Picture Race: A Tight Contest
The competition for Best Picture includes:
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part 2
- Emilia Perez
- I'm Still Here
- Nickel Boys
- The Substance
- Wicked
"Anora" is the frontrunner after wins at the Producers and Directors Guild Awards, but "Emilia Perez" faces scrutiny due to controversy surrounding its lead actress.
Acting Categories: Frontrunners & Dark Horses
- Best Actress: Demi Moore ("The Substance") leads, with Mikey Madison ("Anora") as a strong contender.
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody ("The Brutalist") gains momentum.
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña ("Emilia Perez") is widely expected to win.
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin ("A Real Pain") is the favorite.
The "Emilia Perez" Controversy
While "Emilia Perez" secured 13 nominations, backlash followed after past offensive tweets by lead actress Karla SofÃa Gascón resurfaced. Gascón has since apologized, but the controversy remains.
How to Watch the Nominated Films
Before Oscar night, viewers can watch the nominated films on various platforms:
- Netflix: "Emilia Perez"
- HBO Max: "Dune: Part 2"
- Amazon Prime Video: "The Brutalist"
- Hulu: "Anora"
- Theaters: "Wicked," "A Complete Unknown," and "Conclave"
Final Thoughts
The 97th Academy Awards will be a night of resilience, unity, and celebration. Hosted by Conan O'Brien and featuring a thrilling awards race, the 2025 Oscars are set to be historic.
Make sure to tune in live on ABC, Hulu, and other streaming platforms on March 2 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
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