97th Academy Awards: Predictions, Nominees, and Everything You Need to Know

Image credits: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

The 97th Academy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, March 2, with Conan O'Brien hosting the ceremony for the first time. The event promises to be an exciting and unpredictable night, with a range of talented nominees vying for top honors. Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez leads the way with 13 nominations, but its chances have been damaged by controversy surrounding its star, Karla Sofía Gascón. Other top contenders include Wicked, The Brutalist, Conclave, and Anora, all of which are nominated for best picture.

The ceremony will also feature a range of performances, including a medley of songs from Wicked by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The show will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, with the official red-carpet preshow starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Academy Awards will bring to a close one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in recent memory, with many categories still too close to call. In the best actress category, Demi Moore is nominated for her role in The Substance, but she faces stiff competition from Mikey Madison and Fernanda Torres.

The film industry has faced a turbulent year, with ticket sales down 3% from the previous year and many studios pulling back on production. The strikes of 2023 played havoc with release schedules in 2024, leaving many out of work. The fires in January only added to the pain, and the ceremony will likely acknowledge the challenges faced by the city of Los Angeles. Despite these challenges, the Oscars are expected to be a celebration of the movies of the year, with a range of talented nominees and performers taking part.

Some of the notable nominees for the 97th Academy Awards include:

• Emilia Pérez: 13 nominations, including best picture, best actress, and best supporting actress
• Wicked: 10 nominations, including best picture, best actress, and best supporting actress
• The Brutalist: 10 nominations, including best picture, best actor, and best supporting actress
• Conclave: 8 nominations, including best picture, best actor, and best supporting actor
• Anora: 6 nominations, including best picture, best actress, and best supporting actor

The ceremony will also feature a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, with Queen Latifah performing. Last year's acting winners, including Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, will also take part in the ceremony.

The 97th Academy Awards will be a night to remember, with a range of talented nominees, performances, and tributes. With Conan O'Brien hosting and a star-studded lineup of nominees, the ceremony is sure to be an exciting and unpredictable event. The Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, so be sure to tune in to see who takes home the top honors.

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