Oscar 2025 Winners and Hightlights: Anora Sweeps 5 Awards at 97th Oscars

The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, marked an exciting conclusion to a tumultuous awards season. Hosted by Conan O’Brien in his Oscar debut, the ceremony celebrated the best films of 2024, with Sean Baker’s independent hit *Anora* taking home the evening’s top honor. The night was filled with historic victories, captivating performances, and heartfelt tributes, all taking place against the backdrop of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and a competitive awards race.

Oscar Winners and Highlights from this significant night in Hollywood

Five Wins for Anora: Sean Baker’s dark comedy about a sex worker and the son of a Russian oligarch won five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Baker distinguished himself by winning all four of his Oscars for a single film, tying Walt Disney’s record for the most Oscars won by an individual in one night.
Adrien Brody Wins Best Actor Again: Twenty-two years after winning Best Actor for *The Pianist*, Brody’s portrayal of architect László Tóth in *The Brutalist* earned him his second Oscar. At the age of 51, he triumphed over formidable competitors, including Timothée Chalamet (*A Complete Unknown*).
Mikey Madison’s Breakthrough: Madison’s raw and compelling performance in *Anora* made her one of the youngest Best Actress winners at the age of 25. In her acceptance speech, she pledged continued support for the sex worker community.
Historic Supporting Wins: Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her role in *Emilia Pérez*, making her the first performer of Dominican descent to win an Oscar. Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for *A Real Pain*, opening the evening on a high note.
International and Animated Surprises: Latvia’s *Flow* won Best Animated Feature, marking a historic achievement, while Brazil’s *I’m Still Here* won Best International Feature, marking the country’s first Oscar win.
Wicked’s Magical Moments: The film *Wicked* secured two awards, including Best Production Design for Paul Tazewell, the first Black man to win in that category. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s emotional rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” opened the ceremony.
Tributes Amid Resilience: Queen Latifah and Morgan Freeman delivered heartfelt In Memoriam tributes for Quincy Jones and Gene Hackman. The ceremony began with a tribute to Los Angeles, acknowledging the impact of the wildfires on the community.

Full List of 2025 Oscar Winners

Best Picture: Anora
Best Director: Sean Baker, Anora
Best Actor: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Best Actress: Mikey Madison, Anora
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker, Anora
Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan, Conclave
Best International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
Best Animated Feature Film: Flow
Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
Best Cinematography: Lol Crawley, The Brutalist
Best Film Editing: Sean Baker, Anora
Best Original Score: Daniel Blumberg, The Brutalist
Best Original Song: “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez
Best Production Design: Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales, Wicked
Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell, Wicked
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli, The Substance
Best Sound: Dune: Part Two
Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
Best Animated Short Film: In the Shadow of the Cypress
Best Documentary Short Film: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
Best Live Action Short Film: I’m Not a Robot

A Season of Surprises

The daring musical-crime blend of “Emilia Pérez” and Karla Sofía Gascón’s historic nomination as the first transgender woman nominated for Best Actress helped the film lead with 13 nominations heading into the evening. However, it only secured two victories, as a controversy surrounding Gascón’s resurfaced tweets hindered its momentum. Meanwhile, “Anora” made a strong late-career comeback, building on its victories at the Producers Guild of America (PGA) and Directors Guild of America (DGA) awards to solidify its position for Best Picture.

There were a few hiccups throughout the evening. Timothée Chalamet was unable to surpass Adrien Brody’s record as the youngest Best Actor winner, and Demi Moore’s highly praised performance in “The Substance” went unrewarded. Despite this, the event featured a mix of independent successes and high-profile extravaganzas, with “Wicked” captivating spectators and “Dune: Part Two” earning technical awards.

A Night to Remember

Conan O’Brien’s witty banter, which ranged from comments about Jeff Bezos to a large musical number, kept the mood lively. Performances by Doja Cat, Lisa, and Raye paid homage to James Bond. As “We Love LA” concluded the celebration, Hollywood reflected on a year of resilience and creativity. The 2025 Oscars will be remembered as a tribute to fearless storytelling, fresh perspectives, and the timeless allure of film.