Oscar Awards 2025 Winners List, Highlights, and Historic Moments

Discover the highlights of the Oscar Award 2025, including winners, historic moments, and record-breaking achievements. See the full Oscar Award 2025 winners list here!

Oscar Award 2025: The Oscar Award 2025 was a night of cinematic excellence, honoring the finest films, actors, and filmmakers of the year. The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, featured unforgettable moments, historic achievements, and record-breaking wins. “Anora” emerged as the big winner, taking home multiple trophies, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker.

The Oscar Award 2025 also saw Adrien Brody claim his second Best Actor award for The Brutalist, while Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her performance in Anora. In a groundbreaking moment, Zoe Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar.

From incredible storytelling to breathtaking performances, the Oscar Award 2025 celebrated the best in filmmaking. This article provides a complete list of winners, key highlights, and India’s presence at the prestigious event. Read on to explore all the major moments!

Oscar Awards 2025 

The 97th Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscar Awards 2025, took place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony honored the most outstanding contributions to cinema over the past year. The event saw record-breaking wins, historic firsts, and unforgettable moments that made headlines worldwide. It was a night of glitz, glamour, and groundbreaking achievements.

What is the Oscar Award?

The Oscar Award, officially known as the Academy Award of Merit, is the most prestigious honor in the film industry. Presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), it recognizes excellence in cinematic achievements across various categories, including acting, directing, and technical expertise. 

Established in 1929, the Oscars have since become a global celebration of filmmaking, setting benchmarks for cinematic brilliance worldwide.

Oscar Award Official Name

The Oscar Award is formally called the Academy Award of Merit. The golden statuette, commonly referred to as an “Oscar,” has been the symbol of cinematic excellence for nearly a century. The name “Oscar” is believed to have originated from Academy librarian Margaret Herrick, who remarked that the statue resembled her uncle, Oscar. The name stuck and was officially adopted by AMPAS in 1939.

Oscar Award 2025 Winner Best Picture

The prestigious Best Picture Oscar 2025 was awarded to “Anora”, a film that dominated the ceremony with multiple wins. Directed by Sean Baker, the film captivated audiences and critics alike with its compelling storytelling, powerful performances, and exceptional cinematography. “Anora” stood out among strong competitors such as “The Brutalist,” “Dune: Part Two,” and “Emilia Pérez.”

Oscar Awards 2025 Winners List

The Oscar Awards 2025 featured an impressive lineup of winners across various categories. Below are some of the most notable awards:

Category Winner
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 Animated Feature “Flow”
Best International Feature “I’m Still Here” (Brazil)
Best Cinematography Lol Crawley (“The Brutalist”)
Best Visual Effects “Dune: Part Two”
Best Original Screenplay Sean Baker (“Anora”)
Best Adapted Screenplay “Conclave”
Best Original Score Daniel Bloomberg (“The Brutalist”)
Best Sound “Dune: Part Two”
Best Original Song “El Mal” (“Emilia Pérez”)
Best Documentary Short Film “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”
Best Film Editing “Anora”
Best Documentary Feature Film “No Other Land”
Best Animated Short Film “In The Shadow of The Cypress”
Best Costume Design Paul Tazewell (“Wicked”)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling “The Substance”
Best Production Design “Wicked”
Best Live Action Short Film “I’m Not a Robot”

The full list of winners showcased a diverse selection of films, highlighting talent from various parts of the world.

Oscar Awards 2025 Winners from India

While India did not secure a win in major categories, Indian cinema continued to shine on the global stage, receiving recognition in various nominations. The industry’s growing impact on international cinema was evident through diverse storytelling and artistic innovation.

India’s History at the Oscars

Despite producing a large volume of films annually, India’s presence at the Academy Awards has been relatively limited. Over the decades, India has won 12 Oscars across various categories, including technical achievements and international recognition.

Notable Indian Wins at the Oscars

  • Bhanu Athaiya: First Indian Oscar winner (Best Costume Design, Gandhi, 1983).
  • Satyajit Ray: Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement (1992).
  • A.R. Rahman, Gulzar & Resul Pookutty: Slumdog Millionaire (2009) won Best Original Score, Best Song, and Best Sound Mixing.
  • Guneet Monga’s Period. End of Sentence. (2019): Best Documentary Short.
  • Rintu Thomas & Sushmit Ghosh’s Writing With Fire (2022): Best Documentary Feature Nominee.
  • Naatu Naatu (RRR) (2023): Best Original Song.
  • Rahul Chandrakant Thakkar, Cottalango Leon (2016), and Vikas Vinay Sathaye (2018): Academy Awards for Scientific and Technical Achievement.

Why is India’s Presence Limited?

  • Selection Process & Strategy: The Film Federation of India (FFI) is responsible for selecting India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film, but the choices have often been criticized for overlooking globally resonant films.
  • Mismatch in Storytelling & Jury Preferences: Indian films are often commercial and culturally specific, whereas the Academy prefers socio-political narratives with global relevance.
  • Dominance of Bollywood vs. Regional Cinema: Bollywood’s commercial dominance sometimes overshadows regional cinema (Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, etc.), which has rich storytelling potential.

However, the rise of streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.) is bridging the gap, providing Indian filmmakers with wider exposure. Recent global successes like RRR, The Elephant Whisperers, and Naatu Naatu’s Oscar win signal a positive shift, though consistent recognition requires stronger selection strategies and Hollywood networking.

Best Movie Oscar 2025

The Best Movie at the 2025 Oscars was awarded to “Anora”, a film that left an indelible mark on audiences. Its gripping narrative, combined with masterful direction by Sean Baker, made it the standout film of the year. “Anora” was praised for its thought-provoking themes, immersive cinematography, and emotionally powerful performances.

Best Picture Oscar 2025

The Best Picture Award at the 97th Academy Awards was claimed by “Anora”, solidifying its place as the most celebrated film of the year. Competing against a stellar lineup, the film emerged victorious, earning widespread acclaim for its storytelling and artistic execution.

Best Actor Oscar 2025

The Best Actor Oscar 2025 was awarded to Adrien Brody for his compelling performance in “The Brutalist.” Portraying the character of architect László Tóth, Brody delivered a masterclass in acting, earning his second Academy Award. His previous win was for “The Pianist” in 2002, where he became the youngest Best Actor winner at the time.

Best Actress Oscar 2025

Mikey Madison took home the Best Actress Oscar 2025 for her stellar performance in “Anora.” Her portrayal of the film’s lead character was widely lauded, securing her a well-deserved victory. Madison’s win was one of the many highlights of the evening, showcasing her incredible talent and range as an actress.

97th Academy Awards

The 2025 Oscars delivered numerous historic moments and surprises. Zoe Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Additionally, Sean Baker tied the record for the most Oscars won by a single individual in a year, solidifying his legacy as a filmmaker.

With remarkable performances, groundbreaking achievements, and a celebration of cinematic excellence, the Oscar Awards 2025 proved to be a landmark event in Hollywood history. The ceremony not only honored the best in filmmaking but also set the stage for future innovations in the world of cinema.

Oscar Award 2025 FAQs

Major winners included "Anora" for Best Picture, Adrien Brody for Best Actor, and Mikey Madison for Best Actress.

Some of the top contenders included "Anora," "The Brutalist," "Dune: Part Two," "Emilia Pérez," and "I'm Still Here" (Brazil).

Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her performance in "Anora."

 The Best Picture Oscar 2025 was awarded to "Anora."

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