As the 97th Academy Awards approach, excitement is building with Hollywood’s finest preparing for one of the most anticipated nights in the film industry.
The Oscars will take place on Sunday night at the iconic Dolby Theatre, where stars from all over the world will gather to celebrate the best in film.
Conan O’Brien is making his debut as the host this year, taking over from Jimmy Kimmel, who held the reins for four consecutive years.
With a fresh face at the helm, it’s sure to be an unforgettable night.
Surprising Twists and Potential Winners
While the excitement continues to build, there are still some surprises in store.
Mikey Madison’s unexpected victory over Demi Moore at the BAFTAs has left some uncertainty hanging over the Best Actress category.
Could this change the outcome for Moore, who is hoping for her Oscar moment?
Meanwhile, films like Anora and The Brutalist are emerging as strong contenders, especially in BetMGM’s predictions, which favor these films across several categories.
PR expert Lynn Carratt suggests the Oscars might follow a predictable path this year, with winners in the major categories aligning closely with the BAFTA results.
But as we all know, the Academy loves a good surprise, and anything can happen on the night.
Best Picture: A Tight Race
The competition for Best Picture is fierce this year, with Anora, The Brutalist, Dune: Part Two, and Wicked among the frontrunners.
Anora, a romantic comedy-drama, is the 1/2 favorite to win, with The Brutalist trailing behind at 6/1.
Online betting site Grosvenor Sport spokesperson Simon Kew mentions Conclave as a strong contender, and also highlights A Complete Unknown and Emilia Perez as long-shot surprises with 50/1 and 66/1 odds respectively.
However, the BAFTA winner Conclave could stir things up, with its impressive victory setting the stage for a potential upset at the Oscars.
Director Edward Berger made a moving speech about democracy and the role of movies in times of crisis, which may have resonated with voters.
Best Actor: Adrien Brody vs. Timothée Chalamet
When it comes to Best Actor, Adrien Brody is the clear favorite with 2/5 odds.
Brody, who won this category in 2003 for The Pianist, is a strong contender, and many believe he is virtually unbeatable this year.
However, A Complete Unknown star Timothée Chalamet isn’t far behind at 8/5, following a surprise win at the BAFTAs.
Chalamet’s rising star power makes him a serious challenger.
Ralph Fiennes, nominated for his role in Conclave, is a respected veteran actor, but his odds sit at 16/1. With a couple of previous nominations under his belt, Fiennes’ role could still be an underdog victory.
Best Actress: Demi Moore’s Career-Defining Moment?
Demi Moore is the overwhelming favorite for Best Actress at 2/5 for her role in The Substance, marking what could be a career-defining win.
She’s already collected awards at the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards, making her a strong frontrunner.
However, Mikey Madison’s unexpected BAFTA win for Anora puts her in the mix as a legitimate contender, with odds at 15/8.
If Anora wins Best Picture, it could tilt the scales in Madison’s favor.
Lynn notes that for someone like Moore, securing the Oscar would solidify her position at the top of producers’ lists.
But for Madison, the nomination itself is a victory, and she’s already achieved significant recognition.
Other contenders include Cynthia Erivo for Wicked and Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here, though their chances are much slimmer, with odds at 50/1 and 10/1 respectively.
Best Director: A Battle of Big Names
The Best Director race is heating up with Anora’s Sean Baker leading the pack with 8/15 odds.
Baker’s direction of Anora has earned him widespread praise.
However, The Brutalist’s Brady Corbet, who won Best Director at the BAFTAs, is also a strong contender following the film’s big night at the BAFTAs.
Other directors in the running include James Mangold for A Complete Unknown and Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez.
It’s shaping up to be an exciting showdown between some of Hollywood’s most talented filmmakers.
Supporting Categories: Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldana
In the supporting categories, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldana appear poised for victory.
Culkin has been on a roll during awards season and is the overwhelming favorite in the Best Supporting Actor category, with odds at 1/100 for his role in A Real Pain.
Saldana, who has also been a dominant force in the Supporting Actress category for her role in Emilia Pérez, has odds of 1/25.
With a string of major wins already under her belt, it’s hard to imagine the Academy would go in a different direction.
Full List of Oscar Nominees
As we approach the ceremony, the full list of nominees for the 2025 Academy Awards includes some standout films and performances.
From Best Picture contenders like Anora and The Brutalist to the impressive talent in the acting and directing categories, the 2025 Oscars promise to be one for the history books.
With so much at stake, it’s anyone’s guess who will walk away with an Oscar.
The only thing we know for sure is that this Sunday’s ceremony is bound to be filled with unforgettable moments.