The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, held on March 2, 2025, was a night to remember, filled with surprising wins, heartfelt speeches, and groundbreaking achievements. Here’s a recap of the most memorable moments and key takeaways from Hollywood’s biggest night.
The Triumph of “Anora”
The independent film “Anora” emerged as the night’s big winner, taking home five Oscars, including Best Picture. Director Sean Baker made history by winning four Academy Awards in a single night for his work on the film. Baker’s victories included Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
The 2025 Academy Awards delivered a mix of triumphs and surprises in the acting categories. Adrien Brody took home his second Oscar for Best Actor, two decades after his iconic win for The Pianist, this time for his portrayal of architect László Tóth in The Brutalist. His victory was marked by a comedic moment when he casually tossed his chewing gum to his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, before stepping onstage to accept the award. Meanwhile, the Best Actress category delivered the night’s biggest shock as 25-year-old Mikey Madison clinched the award for her performance in Anora, beating out industry veteran Demi Moore, who had been widely expected to win. Madison’s victory was particularly notable given her background in television, proving that fresh talent can rise to the top on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
In the supporting categories, Zoe Saldaña secured Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, delivering a heartfelt acceptance speech that paid tribute to her Dominican roots and family’s journey. Kieran Culkin rounded out the acting awards with his win for Best Supporting Actor in A Real Pain, further solidifying his transition from acclaimed television work to the silver screen. The night’s results celebrated both seasoned performers and emerging stars, reflecting the evolving landscape of Hollywood and its embrace of new voices and perspectives.
The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, was a night of historic firsts and groundbreaking achievements. Among the most memorable moments was Paul Tazewell’s win for Best Costume Design, making him the first Black man to receive this honor. His outstanding work on the musical film Wicked earned him the prestigious award, marking a significant step forward in recognizing diversity in behind-the-scenes roles within the film industry.
Another landmark victory came with Flow, a silent animated film by director Gints Zilbalodis, which became the first Latvian film to win an Oscar. It claimed the award for Best Animated Feature, celebrating a major achievement for independent and international animation. With its surreal visual style and post-apocalyptic narrative, Flow demonstrated the power of non-verbal storytelling, further cementing its place in cinematic history.
The documentary No Other Land, which captures the forced displacement of Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, won the 2025 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Co-directed by Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor, the film is a joint effort by Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers. It focuses on Adra’s hometown, Masafer Yatta, where Israeli forces are expelling residents to create a military training zone. Through a powerful narrative, the documentary exposes the stark realities of military occupation, highlighting the disparity between Palestinian lives under oppression and the freedoms afforded to Israeli citizens. In their acceptance speech, the directors called on the international community to take action against what they termed the “ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people,” stressing the urgent need for justice and human rights.
The 2025 Academy Awards opened with a musical number featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who delivered a stunning tribute to classic and contemporary musical theater. Grande captivated the audience with a soulful rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, followed by Erivo’s stirring performance of Home. The two then united for a show-stopping duet of Defying Gravity, their powerhouse vocals setting an electrifying tone for the night ahead.
Beyond the performances, the evening was marked by moving and memorable moments. The audience erupted in applause, offering a standing ovation to Los Angeles firefighters in recognition of their heroic response to the recent wildfires. A lighthearted highlight came when Best Actor nominees Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, Sebastian Stan, and Adrien Brody snapped a playful group selfie, delighting fans. Zoe Saldaña took the stage with an emotional speech after winning Best Supporting Actress, reflecting on her family’s immigrant roots and the journey that brought her to this moment. The night also held a surprise as rock legend Mick Jagger made an unexpected appearance to present Best Original Song, bringing a legendary touch to Hollywood’s biggest celebration.
The 2025 Oscars were notably light on political commentary, focusing instead on celebrating the art of cinema and the resilience of the film industry. Sean Baker, in his acceptance speeches, emphasized the importance of the communal experience of watching films in theaters and urged support for independent cinemas.
As the curtain fell on another spectacular Academy Awards ceremony, it was clear that the 2025 Oscars had not only honored the best in filmmaking but also showcased the enduring power of storytelling and the magic of cinema.
