Oscars 2025: The 97th Academy Awards are set to take place on Monday, March 3, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and this year’s event promises to be one of a kind. Despite the devastating wildfires that recently ravaged Los Angeles, the Oscars will go on, and as the world turns its attention to the prestigious ceremony, here’s all the essential information you need to know about the 2025 Academy Awards.
When Will The Oscars Take Place?
This year’s Academy Awards ceremony will be held on Monday, March 3, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The live broadcast will begin at 5:30 AM (IST), and it will be available for streaming worldwide on Jio Hotstar, marking the first time the event will be streamed on this platform. Television viewers can tune in on Star Movies and Star Movies Select, with a repeat telecast scheduled for 8:30 PM on the same channels.
Who Will Host The Oscars?
The 2025 Oscars will be hosted by Conan O’Brien, who will make his debut as the host of the Academy Awards. The late-night comedian, TV host, and occasional actor has never had the chance to host the Oscars before, but he’s excited to bring his distinctive style to the event. “I only hosted so that I could be invited,” O’Brien humorously remarked during a press conference.
True to his comedic nature, Conan is not shying away from addressing sensitive issues, including the current political climate. “I cannot ignore the moment we’re in,” O’Brien acknowledged, while also emphasizing the importance of celebrating the joy and positivity the Oscars are meant to represent. He described hosting the Oscars as “like getting to drive a Ferrari for the first time,” adding that the tuxedo provided for the event is “the nicest thing he’s ever worn.”
How Have The Wildfires Affected The Oscars?
The wildfires that swept through Los Angeles earlier this year have undeniably impacted this year’s Academy Awards. The devastation left in the wake of the fires led some to question whether the ceremony should be canceled altogether. However, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to proceed with the event, citing its significant economic and symbolic importance to the city of Los Angeles.
The fires have profoundly affected many individuals connected to the Oscars. Conan O’Brien’s Pacific Palisades home survived the fires, but his family is still unable to return. Tragically, O’Brien’s assistant, Sona Movsesian, lost her home in the fires.
During the ceremony, the wildfires will be acknowledged both directly and through thematic elements woven into the show. The Academy has also arranged for viewers to make contributions toward recovery efforts. Raj Kapoor, the executive producer of the event, stressed the importance of reflecting the city’s resilience. “We wanted to create beautiful moments on stage that celebrate this amazing city that we live in,” Kapoor explained.
Who Are The Presenters At This Year’s Oscars?
This year’s Academy Awards will feature an impressive and diverse list of presenters. Celebrities like Dave Bautista, Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Margaret Qualley, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldana, and Rachel Zegler will all take the stage. Other notable presenters include Selena Gomez, Oprah Winfrey, Joe Alwyn, Ana de Armas, Halle Berry, Scarlett Johansson, Bowen Yang, Lily-Rose Depp, and Sterling K. Brown. Last year’s acting winners—Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph—will also be on hand to present awards.
While the Academy had initially announced the return of the “fab five” format for presenting acting awards, which would feature five previous winners per category, this plan appears to have been abandoned for this year’s ceremony. Nick Offerman will serve as the official announcer for the event.
What Performances Will We See?
In a departure from tradition, the 2025 Academy Awards will not feature live performances of the original song nominees. However, music will still play a central role in the ceremony. Queen Latifah will lead a musical tribute to the late Quincy Jones, who received the Governor’s Award last November, just weeks before his passing.
Other musical performances will include artists such as Doja Cat, LISA of Blackpink, RAYE, Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande. Although the songs from Wicked were not eligible for the Best Song category due to their origins in the Broadway musical, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will perform a rendition of the iconic tracks from the production. Additionally, the Los Angeles Master Chorale will make an appearance.
Which Films Are Nominated For Best Picture?
The Best Picture nominees for the 97th Academy Awards are as follows:
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part 2
- Emilia Perez
- I’m Still Here
- Nickel Boys
- The Substance
- Wicked
These ten films are vying for the coveted Best Picture honor, with each one showcasing a diverse range of storytelling, from sweeping epics to intimate dramas.
How Can You Watch The Oscar-Nominated Films?
While some of the nominees are still screening in theaters, many of the films up for an Oscar this year are available for streaming. If you’re hoping to catch up on the nominated films before the big night, check out streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video, where many of the contenders are available.
Who Are The Favourites For This Year’s Awards?
The competition for Best Picture this year is wide open, with several films emerging as potential frontrunners. Anora has gained significant momentum after sweeping the top honors at the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and Independent Spirit Awards. However, Conclave, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, and Emilia Perez are also seen as strong competitors.
In the acting categories, Demi Moore is considered a frontrunner for Best Actress for her performance in The Substance, though Mikey Madison’s turn in Anora has made her a strong contender after winning both the BAFTA and Independent Spirit Awards. As for Best Actor, Adrien Brody is thought to be the likely winner, although Timothée Chalamet (who won the SAG Award) could still pose a challenge.
In the supporting categories, Zoe Saldana’s performance in Emilia Perez has her leading the race for Best Supporting Actress, while Kieran Culkin, who starred in A Real Pain, is favored to win Best Supporting Actor.
The Emilia Perez Controversy
One of the most controversial films of the year is Emilia Perez, directed by Jacques Audiard. The movie, a narco-musical about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender-affirming surgery, received a leading 13 nominations, including Best Picture. The film’s star, Karla Sofía Gascon, made history as the first openly trans actor to be nominated for an Oscar.
However, the film’s campaign has been marred by controversy after offensive tweets from Gascon surfaced, prompting the actress to apologize. This controversy has certainly affected Emilia Perez’s Oscar chances, and Netflix has had to refocus its campaign efforts in light of the backlash. The film has proven divisive among Academy voters, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the race.
With all the excitement surrounding this year’s Oscars, one thing is for sure: the 2025 Academy Awards will be a night to remember.