Oscars 2025: A Year of Musical Triumphs, Record-Setting Moments, and Anticipated Winners

From musicals to historic performances, the 2025 Academy Awards promise to entertain and surprise.

This year, the Oscars are set against a backdrop of controversy and record-breaking nominations. The iconic awards ceremony, taking place on March 2, highlights an unexpected surge of musicals in major categories, including the nominees “Wicked” and “Emilia Pérez”—the first musical duo in contention for Best Picture since 1969. Additionally, Disney's “Inside Out 2,” the highest-grossing film of 2024, leads the animated feature race.

Oscar favorites are already emerging. Adrien Brody, previously the youngest Best Actor winner at 29 for “The Pianist,” has earned a nomination for “The Brutalist.” If successful, he will become the first actor to win Best Actor twice with only two nominations. However, rising star Timothée Chalamet is hot on his heels for his role in “A Complete Unknown,” which could see him usurp Brody’s record if he wins at just 28.

Streaming platform Netflix's “Emilia Pérez” has garnered the most nominations but faces challenges typical to films from streaming services. Notably, several highly nominated films in the past—like “The Irishman”—have ended with minimal wins. Despite their nominations, Culkin and Strong from “Succession” may find it difficult to snag the Best Supporting Actor award, given they come from projects without Best Picture nods.

In a nod to horror cinema, “The Substance” becomes the first body horror film nominated for Best Picture and continues to gain traction in various categories, thanks to standout performances.

Among first-time nominees, Isabella Rossellini's brief performance in “Conclave” has sparked discussions about Oscar history, as it stands out but doesn't break the record for the shortest role nominated.

Additionally, Ralph Fiennes could make Oscar history as he reaches another Best Actor nomination, while Diane Warren seeks her long-deserved win among a competitive slate of Best Original Song contenders.

Further intriguing narratives include the prospect of Sean Baker's total domination in nominations with “Anora,” raising the stakes for the director to become the first ever to win four Oscars for a single film.

As discussions and debates unfold leading up to the Oscars, the film community anticipates what unique moments and surprises await on the night of celebration.