Oscars 2025: Key Predictions Ahead of Academy Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA — As the 2025 awards season approaches its culmination with the Academy Awards on March 2, film enthusiasts eagerly await the outcomes of this year’s fiercest contenders. The race for the most coveted awards promises plenty of suspense, particularly in categories such as Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director.

This season has highlighted standout performances in films like “Anora,” “The Substance,” “The Brutalist,” and “Emilia Pérez,” all of which have had significant successes leading up to the Oscars. A competitive finale seems inevitable as these films vie for the industry’s top honors.

In the Best Actress category, Mikey Madison and Demi Moore have emerged as frontrunners. Madison has been praised for her authentic portrayal of a sex worker in “Anora,” echoing stories from Hollywood’s underground. Meanwhile, Moore’s haunting performance in “The Substance” has earned her critical acclaim and recognition, including a Golden Globe win for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. “The grotesque portrayal of a fading star has drawn audiences and critics alike, elevating Moore’s status in Hollywood,” a film critic noted.

While Moore has dominated major award shows, Madison won the Best Leading Actress award at the BAFTAs, raising the stakes for both actresses. “Should Madison triumph at the Screen Actors Guild awards on Feb. 23, she could shift the momentum heading into the Oscars,” one observer stated.

In the Best Actor category, Adrien Brody, recognized for his captivating role in “The Brutalist,” has swept the major awards, including the BAFTAs and Golden Globes. Should he win the Academy Award, it would mark a second Oscar for Brody, who previously won for his performance in “The Pianist.” There have been murmurs of potential upsets, with Colman Domingo in “Sing Sing” and Sebastian Stan in “The Apprentice” also on the radar, but Brody remains the favorite.

Directing is harder to predict, but many expect Brady Corbet to take home the Oscar for “The Brutalist.” He has garnered accolades including Best Director at both the Golden Globes and BAFTAs. Although Sean Baker’s direction in “Anora” poses some competition, it seems unlikely that any other directors will unseat Corbet’s strong position.

The Best Picture category is deemed the most anticipated, with many speculating the showdown will be between “Anora” and “The Brutalist.” “Emilia Pérez,” although nominated, has recently faced setbacks due to controversies surrounding its lead actress. Despite criticisms, “Anora” continues to capture much of the discussion, reminiscent of the surprise victory seen with “Parasite” in the past. “Winning the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival places it in a favorable position for Academy voters,” one film critic emphasized.

Consensus indicates that if the Academy follows the trend established with last year’s win for “Oppenheimer,” they may prefer “The Brutalist” or “Conclave” based on previous award performances. “This awards season has also highlighted the unique dynamic of the Best Actress nominees — all from films competing for Best Picture,” another film analyst remarked.

As Oscar night approaches, predictions remain a mix of certainty and speculation. Oscars experts will tune in on March 2 to see whose predictions come to fruition while the film industry’s brightest stars gather to celebrate cinematic achievements during a year marked by intense competition.