The long-anticipated 2025 Oscar nominations are finally here, revealing a mix of thrilling victories, surprising snubs, and a showcase of exceptional talent.
After being delayed due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the nominations were unveiled during a live presentation hosted by comedians Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles.
Cynthia Erivo Shines as “Wicked” Earns Ten Nominations
Cynthia Erivo, the 38-year-old star of Wicked, leads the British and Irish contenders with her nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Her powerful portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, captivated audiences and critics alike, securing her a chance to bring home the coveted trophy.
The Broadway adaptation of Wicked dominated the nominations with ten nods, including Best Picture.
Cynthia will face fierce competition from Demi Moore (The Substance), Mikey Madison (Anora), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here).
Felicity Jones Competes for Supporting Actress
Fellow Brit Felicity Jones also received recognition with a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her compelling performance as Erzsébet Tóth in the historical drama The Brutalist.
Inspired by Jean-Louis Cohen’s Architecture in Uniform, the film explores the life of a Hungarian architect played by Adrien Brody.
Felicity’s competitors in this category include Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez), and Ariana Grande (Wicked), who earned her first Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Glinda the Good Witch.
Ralph Fiennes Gets a Nod, Daniel Craig Missed Out
Ralph Fiennes received a Best Actor nomination for his role as Cardinal Lomeli in Conclave.
His transformation into the introspective and conflicted character earned widespread praise.
Competing alongside him are Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), and Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice).
However, one notable omission from the category was Daniel Craig, who was snubbed despite his highly praised performance in Queer.
The period romantic drama, set in 1950s Mexico City, follows Craig as William Lee, an American expat navigating a complex romance with a younger man.
Animated Stars: Wallace & Gromit Return
The beloved British duo Wallace & Gromit earned their sixth Oscar nomination with Vengeance Most Fowl, competing for Best Animated Feature Film.
The creators, Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, expressed their joy and disbelief, joking that they “nearly spilt their tea” when hearing the news.
The film premiered on Christmas Day and features the return of iconic villain Feathers McGraw.
“Emilia Pérez” Dominates with 13 Nominations
Spanish film Emilia Pérez leads this year’s Oscars with 13 nominations, including Best Picture, International Feature Film, and Adapted Screenplay.
The film also earned nods for its original score and Zoe Saldaña’s performance in a supporting role.
Other Best Picture nominees include Wicked, Dune: Part Two, Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, and The Substance.
Wildfires Force Changes to Oscar Schedule
The announcement of the nominations was delayed due to the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires, which have destroyed over 14,000 homes since January 7.
Many celebrities, including Miles Teller, Anthony Hopkins, and Anna Faris, were among those affected.
In a heartfelt message, the Academy extended condolences to those impacted and explained the decision to postpone the announcements.
Despite the challenges, the 97th Academy Awards remain scheduled for March 2, with Conan O’Brien set to host for the first time.
Celebrating Cinema Amid Challenges
As Hollywood grapples with adversity, this year’s Oscars celebrate resilience and creativity.
With standout performances, beloved franchises like Wicked, and powerful new stories like Emilia Pérez, the 2025 Academy Awards promise an unforgettable night for film lovers worldwide.
Which nominee are you rooting for? Share your thoughts and predictions as we count down to the big night!
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