The road to the Oscars is always paved with glitz, glamour, and a fair share of surprises. The current nominations for 97th Academy Awards have officially transitioned from speculation to history, as the ceremony concluded in early 2025 at the iconic Dolby Theatre.
This year’s race was particularly historic, featuring a blend of high-budget spectacles, intimate indies, and a record-breaking performance from international cinema.
In this guide, we’ll break down the full list of nominees, the films that dominated the conversation, and the eventual winners who took home the gold statuette.
Whether you’re a cinephile looking to catch up on the best of the year or a casual viewer curious about the biggest names in Hollywood, here is everything you need to know about the current nominations for 97th Academy Awards.
The Landscape of the 97th Oscars
The announcement of the current nominations for 97th Academy Awards set the stage for a ceremony that celebrated global diversity. One of the most talked-about entries was Emilia Pérez, which earned a staggering 13 nominations—the most ever for a non-English language film. Close behind were the architectural epic The Brutalist and the colorful musical Wicked, each securing 10 nods.
The 97th Oscars were hosted by late-night veteran Conan O’Brien, who brought a fresh, comedic energy to the stage.
While the nominations were originally delayed due to regional events in Los Angeles, the final reveal on January 23, 2025, sparked a feverish debate among critics and fans alike.
Best Picture Nominees and Winner
The Best Picture category is always the “main event” when discussing the current nominations for 97th Academy Awards. This year featured ten diverse films that showcased the breadth of modern filmmaking.
The 97th Academy Awards Best Picture List:
- Anora (WINNER)
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- I’m Still Here
- Nickel Boys
- The Substance
- Wicked
Anora, directed by Sean Baker, ultimately took home the top prize. Its win was seen as a victory for independent cinema, following its success at earlier guild awards. The film tells the story of a Brooklyn sex worker who enters a whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch, blending humor with heartbreaking realism.
Acting Categories: Who Led the Pack?
The acting races for the current nominations for 97th Academy Awards were some of the most competitive in recent memory.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
- Adrien Brody – The Brutalist (WINNER)
- Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown
- Colman Domingo – Sing Sing
- Ralph Fiennes – Conclave
- Sebastian Stan – The Apprentice
Adrien Brody’s transformative performance as an immigrant architect in The Brutalist earned him his second Oscar, solidifying his status as one of the generation’s greatest talents.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Mikey Madison – Anora (WINNER)
- Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
- Karla Sofía Gascón – Emilia Pérez
- Demi Moore – The Substance
- Fernanda Torres – I’m Still Here
Mikey Madison’s victory for Anora was a breakout moment, though Karla Sofía Gascón made history as the first openly transgender performer to be nominated in this prestigious category.
Supporting Categories
In the supporting races, Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, while Kieran Culkin took home Best Supporting Actor for his dryly comedic yet emotional turn in A Real Pain.
Directing and Writing: The Visionaries
The current nominations for 97th Academy Awards also highlighted the brilliant minds behind the camera.
Best Director
Sean Baker won the Oscar for Directing for Anora. His win was a significant moment for the Academy, recognizing a director known for humanizing marginalized communities. Other notable nominees included Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) and Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez).
Screenplay Awards
- Best Original Screenplay: Anora (Sean Baker)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave (Peter Straughan)
The win for Conclave in the Adapted Screenplay category was a highlight for fans of the Vatican-set thriller, which was widely praised for its sharp dialogue and suspenseful pacing.
Technical and International Achievements
The technical categories for the current nominations for 97th Academy Awards were largely dominated by Dune: Part Two and Wicked.
| Category | Winner | Film |
| Cinematography | Lol Crawley | The Brutalist |
| Visual Effects | – | Dune: Part Two |
| Sound | – | Dune: Part Two |
| Costume Design | Paul Tazewell | Wicked |
| Animated Feature | Gints Zilbalodis | Flow |
Dune: Part Two continued its predecessor’s legacy by sweeping the technical awards for Sound and Visual Effects, while Flow pulled off a surprise win in the Animated Feature category, beating out heavyweights like Inside Out 2.
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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who had the most nominations for the 97th Academy Awards?
Emilia Pérez led the field with 13 nominations, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 each.
2. When were the 97th Academy Awards nominations announced?
The nominations were officially revealed on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
3. Who won Best Picture at the 97th Oscars?
Anora, directed by Sean Baker, won the Best Picture award.
4. Where was the ceremony held?
The 97th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Conclusion
The current nominations for 97th Academy Awards reflected a year of cinematic boldness.
From the indie triumph of Anora to the historical milestone of Emilia Pérez, the 97th Oscars proved that the Academy is increasingly willing to look beyond traditional Hollywood tropes. If you haven’t seen the winners yet, now is the perfect time to catch up on these landmark films.
