Oscars 2025: Highlights and Standout Nominations
The 2025 Academy Awards nominees have been revealed, and the lineup showcases a dazzling mix of cinematic artistry. Among the standout contenders is Conclave, a gripping political thriller that has garnered nominations across key categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Here’s a closer look at some of the year’s most notable nominations:
Best Picture: Power, Intrigue, and Imagination
In a year of diverse storytelling, Conclave emerges as a compelling frontrunner. This tense and thought-provoking drama, led by a commanding performance from Ralph Fiennes, explores the secretive world of a papal election, earning it a well-deserved spot in the Best Picture race. Alongside it, epics like Dune: Part Two and the vibrant musical Wicked continue to dominate the conversation, while more intimate fare like Anora and The Brutalist highlights the power of nuanced filmmaking.
Best Director: Jacques Audiard Brings the Heat
Jacques Audiard’s work on Conclave cements his status as one of the great modern filmmakers. His meticulous direction captures the tension and gravitas of the film’s setting, earning him a nomination in the coveted Best Director category. He joins a strong field, including Sean Baker (Anora) and Coralie Fargeat (The Substance), whose visionary approaches have pushed boundaries.
Powerful Performances: Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini Shine
Ralph Fiennes’ nomination for Best Actor in Conclave reflects his magnetic performance as a key player in the high-stakes narrative. Sharing the spotlight, Isabella Rossellini earns a Supporting Actress nod for her nuanced portrayal in the same film, underscoring the layered complexity of the story’s ensemble cast.
The Best Actress category introduces fresh faces like Mikey Madison (Anora), while veterans such as Demi Moore (The Substance) return with remarkable turns. In the supporting roles, Ariana Grande (Wicked) and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) bring a mix of charm and emotional gravitas, adding star power to their respective films.
International and Animated Features: Expanding Horizons
The global reach of cinema is on full display, with I’m Still Here (Brazil) and Flow (Latvia) leading the International Feature Film category. Meanwhile, in Animated Feature Film, Inside Out 2 is poised to tug at heartstrings again, while Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl brings humor and nostalgia to the race.
Technical Brilliance: The Craft Behind the Magic
On the technical side, Dune: Part Two, Wicked, and The Brutalist dominate categories like Cinematography, Visual Effects, and Production Design, showcasing the impeccable craftsmanship that brings these cinematic worlds to life. Nosferatu, with its haunting visuals, also stands out in Costume Design and Makeup and Hairstyling.
Original Song and Score: Music in the Spotlight
The Oscars wouldn’t be complete without recognition for music. This year’s standout Original Songs include Mi Camino and El Mal from Emilia Pérez, reflecting the film’s vibrant energy. The score for The Brutalist and Wicked has also captivated audiences, proving the essential role of music in storytelling.
Oscars 2025: full list of nominees
Picture
“Anora”
“The Brutalist”
“A Complete Unknown”
“Conclave”
“Dune: Part Two”
“Emilia Pérez”
“I’m Still Here”
“Nickel Boys”
“The Substance”
“Wicked”
Director
Sean Baker, “Anora”
Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”
James Mangold, “A Complete Unknown”
Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”
Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”
Actor
Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown”
Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”
Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”
Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice”
Actress
Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”
Karla Sofia Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”
Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Demi Moore, “The Substance”
Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”
Supporting Actor
Yura Borisov, “Anora”
Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”
Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”
Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice”
Supporting Actress
Monica Barbaro, “A Complete Unknown”
Ariana Grande, “Wicked”
Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”
Isabella Rosellini, “Conclave”
Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
Original Screenplay
“Anora”
“The Brutalist”
“A Real Pain”
“September 5”
“The Substance”
Adapted Screenplay
“A Complete Unknown”
“Conclave”
“Emilia Pérez”
“Nickel Boys”
“Sing Sing”
Animated Feature Film
“Flow”
“Inside Out 2”
“Memoir of a Snail”
“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”
“The Wild Robot”
International Feature Film
“I’m Still Here” (Brazil)
“The Girl With the Needle” (Denmark)
“Emilia Perez” (France)
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” (Germany)
“Flow” (Latvia)
Documentary Feature Film
“Black Box Diaries”
“No Other Land”
“Porcelain War”
“Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat”
“Sugar King”
Documentary Short Film
“Death By Numbers”
“I Am Ready, Warden”
“Incident”
“Instruments of a Beating Heart”
“The Only Girl in the Orchestra”
Animated Short Film
“Beautiful Men”
“In the Shadow of the Cypress”
“Magic Candies”
“Wander to Wonder”
“Yuck!”
Live-Action Short Film
“A Lien”
“Anuja”
“I’m Not a Robot”
“The Last Ranger”
“The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent”
Original Song
“El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez”
“The Journey” from “The Six Triple Eight”
“Like a Bird” from “Sing Sing”
“Mi Camino” from “Emilia Pérez”
“Never Too Late” from “Elton John: Never Too Late”
Original Score
“The Brutalist”
“Conclave”
“Emilia Perez”
“Wicked”
“The Wild Robot”
Sound
“A Complete Unknown”
“Dune: Part Two”
“Emilia Pérez”
“Wicked”
“The Wild Robot”
Visual Effects
“Alien: Romulus”
“Better Man”
“Dune: Part Two”
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”
“Wicked”
Film Editing
“Anora”
“The Brutalist”
“Conclave”
“Emilia Pérez”
“Wicked”
Costume Design
“A Complete Unknown”
“Conclave”
“Gladiator II”
“Nosferatu”
“Wicked”
Makeup and Hairstyling
“A Different Man”
“Emilia Pérez”
“Nosferatu”
“The Substance”
“Wicked”
Cinematography
“The Brutalist”
“Dune: Part Two
“Emilia Pérez”
“Maria”
“Nosferatu”
Production Design
“The Brutalist”
“Conclave”
“Dune: Part Two”
“Nosferatu”
“Wicked”