Inside Out 2 has made headlines as the top-grossing animated film of 2024, while other notable events have shaped this year’s awards landscape. Balancing unfortunate wildfires in Los Angeles and controversies surrounding eligibility and production practices, the awards show is set against a backdrop of resilience in the film industry. Here are the highlights and anomalies of the 2025 Oscars nominations.
1. A Musical Renaissance: This year marks a significant moment with two musicals, Wicked and Emilia Pérez, contending for best picture—a feat that hasn’t occurred since 1969 with the likes of Funny Girl and Oliver!.
2. Record-Holder in the Making: Adrien Brody, the youngest best actor winner, may make history again with The Brutalist, striving to be the first to win the category with just two nominations.
3. Youngest Winner Showdown: Timothée Chalamet is poised to rival Brody as he competes for best actor with his portrayal of Bob Dylan, presenting a possibility to break Brody's record for youngest winner.
4. Streaming Trend: Emilia Pérez, the Spanish-language musical leading in nominations, might follow the trend of heavily nominated streaming films that have struggled with actual wins.
5. The Succession Factor: Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong, both from Succession, are nominated in the same category despite their films not being on the best picture list. The odds are in Culkin’s favor based on previous wins.
6. Genre Milestones: The Substance is notably the first body horror film nominated for best picture, joining a select few horror films in Oscars history. This year’s competition is diverse and historical.
7. Brief but Impactful: Isabella Rossellini’s eight-minute role in Conclave sets her on the verge of Oscar recognition, though not the shortest in award history.
8. Back-to-Back Nominations: Colman Domingo’s nominations signify a strong presence in the industry, but he faces a tough historical competition.
9. Best Picture Overlap: For the first time since 1977, all five best actress nominees hail from films also nominated for best picture, underscoring a shift towards recognizing female-led stories.
10. A Trump Portrayal: Sebastian Stan enters an exclusive club with his role as a young Donald Trump, cementing the significance of presidential portrayals in Oscar nominations.
11. Biographical Connections: Robbie Williams’ biopic Better Man sees ties to other nominated films, showcasing the interconnectedness of this year's contenders.
12. Good Omen for Conclave: With Ralph Fiennes’ previous nominations resulting in best picture wins, will history repeat for Conclave despite its director's absence in nominations?
13. The Quest for Victory: Diane Warren aims for her first win after 16 nominations, hoping the competitive landscape does not split her votes.
14. Wicked's Challenges: Despite multiple nominations, Wicked faces daunting odds to secure the top prize without a directing or screenplay nomination.
15. Honoring Legacy: Fernanda Torres and Isabella Rossellini continue their family legacies with nominations, as both actresses follow in the footsteps of their acclaimed mothers.
16. Record-Breaking Potential: Sean Baker may become the first director to win four Oscars for the same film, setting a new precedent in Hollywood.
17. Animated Conversation: The naming of the cat in Flow has sparked playful discussions and reinforced the film’s dark horse status in the animated category.
With a rich tapestry of nominations, the 2025 Oscars promise to break records and establish new traditions in the evolving landscape of film.
1. A Musical Renaissance: This year marks a significant moment with two musicals, Wicked and Emilia Pérez, contending for best picture—a feat that hasn’t occurred since 1969 with the likes of Funny Girl and Oliver!.
2. Record-Holder in the Making: Adrien Brody, the youngest best actor winner, may make history again with The Brutalist, striving to be the first to win the category with just two nominations.
3. Youngest Winner Showdown: Timothée Chalamet is poised to rival Brody as he competes for best actor with his portrayal of Bob Dylan, presenting a possibility to break Brody's record for youngest winner.
4. Streaming Trend: Emilia Pérez, the Spanish-language musical leading in nominations, might follow the trend of heavily nominated streaming films that have struggled with actual wins.
5. The Succession Factor: Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong, both from Succession, are nominated in the same category despite their films not being on the best picture list. The odds are in Culkin’s favor based on previous wins.
6. Genre Milestones: The Substance is notably the first body horror film nominated for best picture, joining a select few horror films in Oscars history. This year’s competition is diverse and historical.
7. Brief but Impactful: Isabella Rossellini’s eight-minute role in Conclave sets her on the verge of Oscar recognition, though not the shortest in award history.
8. Back-to-Back Nominations: Colman Domingo’s nominations signify a strong presence in the industry, but he faces a tough historical competition.
9. Best Picture Overlap: For the first time since 1977, all five best actress nominees hail from films also nominated for best picture, underscoring a shift towards recognizing female-led stories.
10. A Trump Portrayal: Sebastian Stan enters an exclusive club with his role as a young Donald Trump, cementing the significance of presidential portrayals in Oscar nominations.
11. Biographical Connections: Robbie Williams’ biopic Better Man sees ties to other nominated films, showcasing the interconnectedness of this year's contenders.
12. Good Omen for Conclave: With Ralph Fiennes’ previous nominations resulting in best picture wins, will history repeat for Conclave despite its director's absence in nominations?
13. The Quest for Victory: Diane Warren aims for her first win after 16 nominations, hoping the competitive landscape does not split her votes.
14. Wicked's Challenges: Despite multiple nominations, Wicked faces daunting odds to secure the top prize without a directing or screenplay nomination.
15. Honoring Legacy: Fernanda Torres and Isabella Rossellini continue their family legacies with nominations, as both actresses follow in the footsteps of their acclaimed mothers.
16. Record-Breaking Potential: Sean Baker may become the first director to win four Oscars for the same film, setting a new precedent in Hollywood.
17. Animated Conversation: The naming of the cat in Flow has sparked playful discussions and reinforced the film’s dark horse status in the animated category.
With a rich tapestry of nominations, the 2025 Oscars promise to break records and establish new traditions in the evolving landscape of film.
