After months of anticipation, Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang finally took the stage on Thursday, January 23, 2025, to announce the nominees for the 97th Academy Awards. With this past year delivering some of the strongest films in recent memory, the competition is tighter than ever. Movie fans across the world waited with bated breath as the names were revealed, hoping their favorites made the cut.
Now that the nominations are official, it’s time to take a look back at the Academy’s history—its most iconic moments, unforgettable scandals, and, of course, this year’s biggest snubs. Plus, we’ll break down the front-runners and predict who might walk away with Hollywood’s most prestigious honor.
Iconic Moments in Oscar History
Since 1929, the Academy Awards have celebrated the best in filmmaking, but no awards show is complete without a little drama. One of the most infamous moments in Oscar history happened in 1973 when Marlon Brando refused to attend the ceremony, instead sending activist Sacheen Littlefeather to decline his Best Actor award for The Godfather. The stunt, intended to highlight the film industry’s exploitation of Native Americans, was met with backlash—including a mocking remark from Clint Eastwood.
More recently, the 2017 Best Picture mix-up remains one of the biggest blunders in Oscar history. Presenters mistakenly announced La La Land as the winner, only for the actual winner, Moonlight, to be revealed moments later. The stunned reactions and live correction made for one of the most chaotic yet unforgettable Oscar moments ever.
Not all surprises at the Academy Awards come in the form of controversy, though. When an 11-year-old Anna Paquin won Best Supporting Actress for The Piano, she was so shocked she could barely get her words out. It remains one of the most wholesome acceptance speeches ever. Another unforgettable moment? The rare Oscar tie in 1968, when Ingrid Bergman announced that both Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand had won Best Actress—an event that has never happened in the category since.
With the 97th Academy Awards approaching, we can only hope this year’s ceremony delivers equally memorable moments.
The Biggest Snubs and Controversies of 2025
Every awards season comes with surprises—and not all of them are welcome. This year, fans were stunned to see rising stars Margaret Qualley (The Substance) and Mark Eydelshteyn (Anora) left out of the acting categories, despite widespread praise for their performances. Director Denis Villeneuve, known for visually stunning films, also shockingly missed out on a nomination.
Perhaps the most baffling snub? Challengers receiving zero nominations for Best Original Score. Anyone who saw the film’s final tennis match—shot from the point of view of the ball at one point—knows just how intense the moment felt, thanks in part to its pulse-pounding soundtrack. Despite being overlooked, it remains a winner in the hearts of many moviegoers.
This year’s nominations also come with controversy. The Brutalist raised concerns for using AI to refine actors’ Hungarian accents and generate architectural drawings, sparking debate about the growing role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Meanwhile, Emilia Perez faced backlash over its portrayal of the transgender and Mexican communities, with criticism directed at the film’s French director and non-Spanish-speaking cast. The controversy deepened when lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s past racist tweets resurfaced, leading her to announce she would not be attending the ceremony. Despite public outrage, Emilia Perez earned a shocking 13 nominations—more than any other film this year.
With both The Brutalist and Emilia Perez facing widespread criticism, their chances of winning are uncertain. Meanwhile, history is being made in other categories. Timothée Chalamet, now the youngest actor since James Dean to earn two Best Actor nominations, could become the youngest-ever winner if he takes home the award. Cynthia Erivo is also on the brink of EGOT status, and The Substance marks only the seventh horror film to earn a Best Picture nomination—a major milestone for a genre often overlooked by the Academy.
Predictions: Who Will Take Home the Gold?
With so many strong contenders, this year’s Oscar race is more unpredictable than ever. While Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) delivers an award-worthy Best Actor performance, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) remains the Academy’s likely pick despite the film’s AI controversy.
Winner: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
In the Supporting Actor category, Yura Borisov (Anora) deserves the win, though Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) seems to have the strongest momentum.
Winner: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
On the actress side, Mikey Madison (Anora) would be a refreshing choice for Best Actress, but Demi Moore (The Substance), a longtime Hollywood veteran, seems primed for her first win.
Winner: Mikey Madison, Anora
Similarly, Isabella Rossellini (Conclave) is a deserving pick for Supporting Actress, yet Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez) appears to be the frontrunner after her Golden Globe win, controversy aside.
Winner: Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez
For cinematography, Nosferatu stands out as both a likely winner and a personal favorite.
Winner: Lol Crawley, The Brutalist
While the directing category should belong to Sean Baker (Anora), Coralie Fargeat’s behind-the-scenes campaign for The Substance has strengthened her chances of taking the trophy.
Winner: Sean Baker, Anora
Finally, the biggest award of the night—Best Picture—looks to be a battle between Conclave and Anora, though critics predict that The Brutalist has the Academy’s vote.
Winner: Anora
The Final Countdown
No matter who wins, this year’s nominees have already made history. The 97th Academy Awards promise to be an exciting night full of celebration, surprises, and maybe even a little drama.
So, who do you think will take home the Oscar? Make your own predictions, and don’t forget to tune in on Sunday, March 2 at 7 p.m. to witness movie history unfold!
