The 2025 Oscars – Predictions, Nominees, and Potential Surprises

The 2025 Oscars are almost here, and the excitement is building. Hollywood’s biggest night will bring the best movies, actors, and directors into the spotlight. Some films have already made a big impact at festivals, while others have gained attention through major awards shows. The competition is tough, and everyone is waiting to see which films and stars will take home the gold.

To keep up with every update, follow the latest news on nominees, wins, and surprises. Big awards can change everything, and last-minute shifts always happen. Stay informed, and do not miss out on any major moments.

This article will break down the top contenders, expected winners, and shocking snubs. Which films have the best chances? Which actors are leading the race? Get ready for all the predictions, nominees, and unexpected twists leading up to the big night.

Best Picture – Top Movies Fighting for the Win

The biggest award of the night will go to the best movie of the year. Some films have been favorites since the festival season, while others gained attention after winning major awards. The competition is close, and every nominee has a strong reason to win. Voters will look at storytelling, direction, and audience impact.

Predicted Nominees

• Conclave
• Emilia Pérez
• The Brutalist
• Anora
• Wicked
• A Complete Unknown
• The Substance
• Dune: Part Two
• A Real Pain
• Sing Sing

Potential Surprises

• September 5
• Nickel Boys
• Gladiator II
• Queer

Conclave and Emilia Pérez lead the race, but The Brutalist could struggle due to its long runtime. The Academy often favors safer choices, making Conclave a strong bet.

Best Director – Who Will Lead the Way?

A great director shapes every scene and performance, bringing a movie to life. Some directors have created bold, artistic films, while others have told emotional, powerful stories. The Academy often includes international filmmakers, which could lead to some surprises.

Predicted Nominees

• Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)
• Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)
• Edward Berger (Conclave)
• Sean Baker (Anora)
• Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)

Potential Surprises

• James Mangold (A Complete Unknown)
• Payal Kapadia (All We Imagine as Light)
• Jon M. Chu (Wicked)
• Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two)

Brady Corbet has gained strong momentum, but Coralie Fargeat’s bold direction in The Substance could shake up the race. Academy voters may also lean toward Edward Berger, whose Conclave has been a major awards contender.

Best Actor – Strong Performances in the Spotlight

Actors who deliver powerful and emotional performances are in the race for this year’s Best Actor award. Some took on real-life figures, while others transformed into unique characters. Many of the predicted nominees have already won major awards, making this category one of the toughest.

Predicted Nominees

• Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)
• Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
• Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)
• Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)
• Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Potential Surprises

• Daniel Craig (Queer)

Ralph Fiennes leads the pack due to Conclave’s strong awards presence. Adrien Brody’s performance in The Brutalist earned praise, but recent controversies may hurt his chances. Colman Domingo remains a strong contender, following his success last year.

Best Actress – Biggest Stars Competing for the Prize

The Best Actress race is filled with standout performances. Some actresses took on real historical figures, while others played complex fictional roles. The competition has been unpredictable, with major upsets at other awards shows.

Predicted Nominees

• Demi Moore (The Substance)
• Mikey Madison (Anora)
• Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)
• Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)
• Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)

Potential Surprises

• Angelina Jolie (Maria)
• Pamela Anderson (The Last Showgirl)
• Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths)

Demi Moore shocked many with her Golden Globe win, boosting her chances. Mikey Madison’s performance in Anora has been highly praised, while Karla Sofía Gascón could make history as the first trans woman nominated in this category. Angelina Jolie, once a frontrunner, lost momentum after missing key nominations.

Best Supporting Actor – Scene-Stealers Ready to Shine

Supporting actors bring depth to movies, often stealing scenes with unforgettable performances. This year’s category includes a mix of veteran stars and fresh faces who delivered standout roles.

Predicted Nominees

• Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
• Yura Borisov (Anora)
• Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown)
• Guy Pearce (The Brutalist)
• Stanley Tucci (Conclave)

Potential Surprises

• Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice)
• Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing)
• Denzel Washington (Gladiator II)

Kieran Culkin has led the race after his Golden Globe win. Stanley Tucci’s performance in Conclave gained strong support late in the season. Guy Pearce could also secure a nomination for The Brutalist, though its awards momentum has been inconsistent.

Best Supporting Actress – Standout Performances That Matter

Supporting actresses often bring key emotional moments to films. This year’s race is highly competitive, with both established stars and fresh faces earning attention.

Predicted Nominees

• Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
• Ariana Grande (Wicked)
• Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
• Margaret Qualley (The Substance)
• Jamie Lee Curtis (The Last Showgirl)

Potential Surprises

• Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)
• Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson)
• Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez)
• Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Nickel Boys)

Zoe Saldaña and Ariana Grande lead the race, with Emilia Pérez and Wicked gaining strong support. Jamie Lee Curtis, fresh off her previous Oscar win, remains a strong contender. Isabella Rossellini has gained late-season momentum, making her a possible surprise winner.

Biggest Surprises and Snubs – Who Got Left Out?

Every year, some expected nominees get left out, while unexpected names make the final list. The 2025 Oscars race has already seen shocking wins and losses at major awards, shaking up predictions.

Biggest Surprises

• Demi Moore (The Substance) – Many did not expect her to win Best Actress at the Golden Globes, but now she is a top contender.
• Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) – An under-the-radar performance that gained major momentum with a surprise Golden Globe win.
• Stanley Tucci (Conclave) – His performance was not widely discussed early in the season, but strong industry support has made him a major contender.
• Ariana Grande (Wicked) – Many doubted a pop star would break into the Oscars race, but she now looks like a sure nominee.

Biggest Snubs

• Angelina Jolie (Maria) – Once considered a Best Actress frontrunner, she lost momentum after missing key nominations.
• Sing Sing (Best Picture) – Despite critical acclaim and Colman Domingo’s strong performance, it has struggled to stay in the top-tier race.
• Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two, Best Director) – A major blockbuster director, but the Academy may overlook him in favor of smaller, artistic films.
• Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez) – Zoe Saldaña is the clear favorite in Supporting Actress, but Gomez’s strong work is still fighting for a spot.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Oscars race has been full of surprises, rising stars, and tough competition. Some movies and actors have dominated awards season, while others have struggled to stay in the spotlight. Unexpected wins and shocking snubs have already shaken up predictions, and more twists could come before the final night.

No award is guaranteed. Big names could lose, and underdogs could rise at the last moment. Following every update is the only way to stay ahead and know who stands the best chance of winning.

When Oscar night arrives, anything can happen. The best performances and movies will be honored, but the biggest moments will come from the unexpected. Fans and critics will debate every choice, but only one thing is certain—the 2025 Oscars will be unforgettable.