Oscars 2025 Winners and Highlights: A Night of Glamour and Triumph

Image credits: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, was a night to remember, with a range of talented individuals and films being recognized for their outstanding work. The ceremony, which took place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, saw "Anora" emerge as the big winner, taking home five awards, including best picture and best actress for Mikey Madison. The film, directed by Sean Baker, was a dramatic comedy that resonated with audiences and critics alike.

The night's events began with a special package of film clips that paid tribute to the city of Los Angeles, which had recently been affected by devastating wildfires. The show then got underway, with a chill-inducing performance by "Wicked" stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The duo performed a medley of songs, including "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Defying Gravity," which earned a standing ovation from the audience. "Wicked" went on to win two awards, including best production design and best costume design, with Paul Tazewell making history as the first Black man to win in the latter category.

Other notable winners on the night included Adrien Brody, who took home the award for best actor for his role in "The Brutalist," and Zoe Saldaña, who won the award for best supporting actress for her role in "Emilia Pérez." The Netflix musical/crime drama hybrid had led the nominations with 13 nods, but ultimately took home fewer awards than expected. The ceremony also saw a range of other films and individuals being recognized, including "The Brutalist," which won three awards, and "I'm Still Here," which won the award for best original song.

The list of nominees and winners for the 97th Academy Awards was as follows:

• Best Picture: "Anora" - *WINNER, "The Brutalist", "A Complete Unknown", "Conclave", "Dune: Part Two", "Emilia Pérez", "I'm Still Here", "Nickel Boys", "The Substance", "Wicked"
• Best Actor: Adrien Brody, "The Brutalist" - *WINNER, Timothée Chalamet, "A Complete Unknown", Colman Domingo, "Sing Sing", Ralph Fiennes, "Conclave", Sebastian Stan, "The Apprentice"
• Best Actress: Mikey Madison, "Anora" - *WINNER, Cynthia Erivo, "Wicked", Karla Sofía Gascón, "Emilia Pérez", Demi Moore, "The Substance", Fernanda Torres, "I'm Still Here"

The 97th Academy Awards was a night of glamour and triumph, with a range of talented individuals and films being recognized for their outstanding work. The ceremony, which took place less than two months after devastating wildfires tore through the L.A. area, was a testament to the resilience and determination of the film industry. With its rich history and tradition of excellence, the Academy Awards continues to be a highlight of the entertainment calendar, and this year's ceremony was no exception.