Oscars 2025 predictions: experts weigh in on likely winners
For Best Picture, Anora has emerged as the most likely winner after a season of shifting momentum between various contenders. The film's mix of realism and crowd-pleasing storytelling, coupled with strong festival wins, makes it a top contender. However, Conclave, a politically charged Vatican-set thriller, remains a dark horse due to its strong industry support and recent wins at the BAFTAs and SAG Awards.
As the race for Best Picture remains competitive, the battle for Best Director mirrors this unpredictability. Critics suggest that Sean Baker (Anora) is the favorite, given his past critically acclaimed work and the film's strong reception. Meanwhile, Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) is also seen as a serious contender for his ambitious historical epic, though Baker's directing style is expected to resonate more with Academy voters.
For Best Actor, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) has been leading the race, having won several major awards. However, Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), who recently won the SAG Award for his portrayal of Bob Dylan, could cause an upset.
Best Actress is predicted to go to Demi Moore (The Substance), whose comeback story and performance have captured Hollywood's attention. Meanwhile, Best Supporting Actor appears to be a lock for Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), who has dominated every major award show leading up to the Oscars.
With strong contenders across all categories, the 2025 Academy Awards are shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting in recent years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' emerges as strong Oscars contender for Best Animated Feature category
KPop Demon Hunters has been named as a potential contender for Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards. Directed by Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang, the animated film was released by Netflix and features three K-pop idols—Rumi, Mira and Zoey—who secretly work as demon hunters. The story blends music and action with a supernatural theme and is set in a fantasy universe shaped by pop culture aesthetics. The film includes original music, such as the track 'Golden,' and showcases animation influenced by anime and contemporary K-pop visuals. . KPop Demon Hunters was featured in Variety's 2025 Oscars Awards Circuit column, which outlined contenders in multiple categories based on films released between January and June. Other films highlighted in the animated category included How to Train Your Dragon, among others. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is scheduled to announce official nominations for the 2025 Oscars in early January. Other early contenders across major Oscar categories include Sinners for Best Picture, Best Director, and multiple acting awards, led by Michael B. Jordan. F1, starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, is being considered in technical categories such as cinematography, visual effects, and editing. The Ballad of Wallis Island is in the running for Best Original Score, while Snow White has been named in the Original Song category. 28 Years Later, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, and Warfare are among the titles gaining attention in makeup, sound, and production design categories.
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Will Smith addresses Oscars slap controversy in fiery freestyle on Fire in the Booth
Will Smith (R) hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Will Smith seems to be revisiting the infamous 2022 Oscars incident involving Chris Rock in a newly released freestyle on Charlie Sloth's 'Fire in the Booth.' The moment adds another layer to Smith's musical comeback, which began with his March 2025 album, Based on a True Story. 'If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage,' Smith raps in the track. 'Jokers dish it out, cry out when it's time to take it, City full of real ones wasn't raised to fake it.' While Smith doesn't mention Rock by name, the reference to public disrespect on stage closely mirrors the Oscars moment that saw him slap the comedian over a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The 94th Academy Awards in March 2022 made global headlines after Smith walked on stage and struck Rock during his hosting gig, yelling, 'Keep my wife's name out your f**king mouth!' The fallout included Smith's resignation from the Academy and a ten-year ban from attending its events. Smith's return to music started earlier this year with Based on a True Story and continued in June with the release of his single, 'Pretty Girls.' The freestyle marks his most direct lyrical reference yet to the Oscars controversy. While both Smith and Rock have made public comments about the incident in the years since, this verse signals that the event continues to resonate with Smith creatively — and may still be shaping his public narrative.
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Tom Cruise to receive an honorary Oscar
US actor and film producer Tom Cruise will receive an honorary Oscar ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards, the organisers said Tuesday, marking a career first for the Hollywood veteran, AFP reported. Cruise was selected to receive a statuette for his contributions to cinema, along with choreographer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas. Dolly Parton will also be awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her decades-long humanitarian work, with the trophies presented at the Academy's 16th Governors Awards event in November. Cruise, 62, has had four Oscar nominations but has never won the prestigious prize, despite achieving global fame for his roles in action films Mission: Impossible and Top Gun. "Tom Cruise's incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunt community has inspired us all," the Academy said in a statement. It praised him as "one of the most recognised and highest-grossing actors of all time" and noted his commitment to performing all of his own stunts. Allen, 75, was recognised for her five-decade career that has included choreographing the Academy Awards ceremony seven times and working on films including 1995 rom-com Forget Paris. Meanwhile, Thomas was saluted for his production work on titles such as Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing. At last year's Governors Awards, the Academy honoured legendary figures from across the film industry, including the late Quincy Jones, who became the first Black producer ever nominated for best picture. Other recipients included celebrated casting director Juliet Taylor, Love Actually screenwriter and director Richard Curtis, and James Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The upcoming 16th Governors Awards will again be presented in partnership with Rolex, the exclusive watch sponsor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
