Oscars 2025 Nominations: A Historic Year with Record-Breaking Films

The 2025 Oscar nomination has unveiled quite a competitive race for the awards season, as Emilia Pérez has gathered a historical total of 13 nominations. The Brutalist and Wicked have also earned 10 nominations each. 

But the boom of OTT movies that seems to be going strong this year and gaining a firm footing in the industry is another thing. Because streaming platforms have been churning out great quality content that rivals a traditional theater release. 

Also, it created history: The most-nominated non-English-language title has been Emilia Pérez. This further explains the global relevance of cinematic narratives. Karla Sofía Gascón, as an acting category, represents a historic act as the first openly transgender performer to be nominated for any acting award in the history of the Academy Awards.

Best Picture: A Diverse Range of Stories

The Best Picture category has always been the excitement of Oscars and the one for the 2025 edition is no different as well. The nominees of this year represent the greatest film genres along with diverse narratives, from an epic big-budget adventure to an intimate drama.

1. Emilia Pérez 

With 13 nominations, Emilia Pérez not only leads the pack as the frontrunner for Best Picture but also stands as a symbol of growing influence from non-English-language films at the Oscars. This poignant drama explores a story of a young woman walking through the life and combinations of it. Here is a landmark moment in cinema.

2. The Brutalist 

A cerebral exploration of the art world, The Brutalist delves into the tumultuous relationship between an architect and his muse, set against a backdrop of personal and professional upheaval. The film's intricate narrative and stunning visual style earned it 10 nominations, including Best Director for Brady Corbet.

3. A Complete Unknown 

This thriller, written and directed by James Mangold, is about a mysterious stranger whose arrival is the spark for some explosive events to unroll in a small town. Sharp dialogue and a tenser atmosphere make it another top contender.

4. Conclave 

A political drama with tension on the roof of the Vatican, takes up themes related to power plays and intrigues that revolve around the election of a new pope. Its stunningly highly predictable performances have made critical acclaim and have pleased critics and audiences.

5. Dune: Part Two 

Denis Villeneuve's epic continuation of the Dune saga is a visual and auditory masterpiece. Expanding on the universe introduced in the first film, this entry promises even more grandeur, while maintaining its philosophical undercurrents.

6. Nickel Boys 

Using the novel by Colson Whitehead, this gripping adaptation explores the harrowing experiences of young boys in a reform school in the 1960s. Its portrayal of systemic racism in unflinching detail, including emotional depth, makes this the standout from these nominations this year.

7. The Substance

It's a drama exploring addiction and recovery in all of their complexity and richness. This one goes all in with human emotion, naked truth. Raw reality and riveting performances earn The Substance its rightful place among this year's Best Picture hopefuls.

8. I'm Still Here 

Thought-provoking mental health investigation, the plot is about following the character up and down hills as they progress in their individual fight. Outstanding lead and an emotionally riveting story with an excellent feel make it one of the must-discussable films of this year.

9. Wicked 

A visually striking musical adaptation of the hit Broadway show, Wicked has already captured the hearts of audiences everywhere. With its enchanting score and eye-popping visuals, it's likely to be a strong contender in both the Best Picture and Best Original Song categories.

Best Director: Visionaries Shaping the Future of Cinema

The Best Director category is all about filmmakers who have shaped the narrative and visual style of their respective films to push the limits of what cinema can achieve.

1. Sean Baker

Known for his honest and true storytelling for marginalized communities, Baker earns his first nomination for Anora. When capturing raw human emotion balanced with elements of humor and tragedy, he is one of the most innovative directors working today.

2. Brady Corbet

In The Brutalist, Corbet made a movie hauntingly beautiful in its approach toward challenging one's perception of art, identity, and morality. His directing for this brainy narrative with symbols and philosophic musings has been applauded all over.

3. James Mangold 

A seasoned director known for Walk the Line and Logan, Mangold’s direction of A Complete Unknown solidifies his place among the elite in Hollywood. The film’s slow-burn suspense and compelling character development are testaments to his expertise in crafting taut, character-driven dramas.

4. Jacques Audiard 

Audiard's Emilia Pérez is a sweeping epic romance, drama, and social commentary. His handling of a complex narrative, combined with his ability to evoke deep emotional connections from the audience, has earned him his first Oscar nomination.

5. Coralie Fargeat 

She is one of the bright sparks in the world of filmmaking, with widely acclaimed work in film direction for The Substance. She's renowned for her ability to deal with sensitive themes and tender emotional texture.

Best Actor: Powerful Performances That Transcend the Screen

Some of the brightest performances of the year come from the nominees for Best Actor this year. Each of these actors has demonstrated a unique intensity in their work.

1. Adrien Brody

Known for intense, transformative performances, he certainly doesn't hold himself back from being an exception to the norm. A tortured artist fighting his demons, he has been applauded as the ultimate complex and emotive performance.

2. Timothée Chalamet 

Chalamet continues to cement his position as one of the best young actors in Hollywood with his role in A Complete Unknown, a charismatic yet morally ambiguous character. Talent that can expose vulnerability but remains magnetic.

3. Colman Domingo

This is the role, people agree, in Sing Sing, where a man gets trapped in the very corrupt prison system. It is a heart-wrenching and critically human portrayal of a man struggling for redemption.

4. Ralph Fiennes

He is playing his part with a great deal of gravity in the political thriller Conclave. His role of a veteran manipulative character has gained him all-round applause.

5. Sebastian Stan 

With the versatility, Sebastian Stan's character of an ambiguous and complex morally gray figure in The Apprentice has garnered great applause. He can very well bring depth and variety in acting as the film will unfold.

Best Actress: Transformative Roles That Redefine the Art of Acting

Best Actress offers performances that transform and break one's imagination for the kind of ability the individual can fully manifest in a character, as with this year's Best Actress nominees.

1.  Cynthia Erivo

One of them, Cynthia Erivo, is highly known for her remarkable performance in the role of Elphaba from Wicked, where she gives powerful vocals as well as authority on stage that gives new depth to an iconic character; it makes her a standout performance in the year.

2. Karla Sofia

Karla Sofía Gascón has made Oscar history in the movie Emilia Pérez by becoming the first openly transgender performer to be nominated. Karla plays a woman who begins to discover her identity-a role so raw and authentic that it appeals to the heart of audiences and critics, marking a milestone for transgender actors in mainstream cinema.

3. Mikey Madison 

Her work in Anora has been revelatory, the inner turmoil of a character under siege with intense personal and existential crises. Her ability to bring that deep emotion without giving up on the mystery is the reason why she's such a great nominee.

4. Demi Moore 

Stepping back into the Oscar competition after a very long time, Moore's part in The Substance is a classic example of how good an actor she is. As a female addict, she is very believable and unapologetic as she portrays herself in this role, making her one of the most interesting in this category.

5. Fernanda Torres

In I'm Still Here, Fernanda Torres was remarkable in subtlety and depth. Her portrayal of a woman negotiating the complexity of mental health issues is powerful and heartbreaking. The performance definitely deserved that nomination.

Conclusion

These are the 2025 Oscars nominations as a testament to an extraordinary year of film-making and performances that shape the face of cinema. In terms of inclusivity, in pushing the boundaries of the narrative, the top contenders for this year highlight the power of storytelling itself. 

Whether in non-English films, storytelling about social justice, or epic, sweeping visual spectacles, the bottom line is that the nominees are leaving an indelible mark on the industry and ushering in the next horizon for generations of filmmakers and actors.