The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, promises to be a landmark in the cinematic calendar. Broadcast live by ABC starting at 7 p.m. (Eastern Time), the ceremony brings together Hollywood’s biggest names for a night celebrating talent and the industry’s resilience. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the veteran comedian making his debut as the event’s emcee, the show takes place just weeks after devastating wildfires shook the city, adding a unique emotional backdrop to the red carpet.
The event is already buzzing on social media, with stars arriving and betting odds heating up over the winners. Films like Anora, Conclave, and The Brutalist stand out as frontrunners for best picture, while names such as Timothée Chalamet, Adrien Brody, and Demi Moore lead the odds in acting categories. The pre-ceremony, spotlighting the red carpet arrivals, has already showcased bold looks, like Bowen Yang’s, which stole attention alongside Matt Rogers.
Moreover, the night carries echoes of recent controversies. The frontrunner status of Netflix’s Emilia Pérez was shaken by resurfaced posts from actress Karla Sofía Gascón, reigniting debates about the impact of social media on Oscar campaigns. With impressive box office figures and gripping narratives, this year’s nominees reflect a season of contrasts in Hollywood, marked by commercial triumphs and unexpected challenges.
Red carpet spotlight: Stars arrive with style and stories
The pre-ceremony for the 2025 Oscars is in full swing, with celebrities strutting the red carpet under the watchful eyes of fans and photographers. Bowen Yang, known for his wit on Saturday Night Live, arrived alongside Matt Rogers in an outfit that quickly went viral online, cementing him as an early standout. Jeff Goldblum, joined by Emilie Livingston, also made an impression, exuding elegance and charm, while the couple Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold brought an auteur flair to the proceedings.
Among the more whimsical moments, the arrival of Wallace and Gromit creators Nick Park, Richard Beek, and Merlin Crossingham added a nostalgic charm. The trio posed with their iconic animated characters, back in the spotlight with a newly nominated project. Meanwhile, Julianne Hough dazzled in a gown blending sophistication and boldness, upholding the red carpet’s tradition as a trendsetting showcase.
Fans packed the bleachers around the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, cheering each arrival. Local firefighters, honored after January’s wildfires, were also spotted on the carpet, posing for photos in a symbolic gesture of recognition for their bravery during the tragedy that claimed 28 lives and destroyed over 16,000 structures in the city.
Betting heats up: Who will take home the top statuettes?
Betting houses are abuzz analyzing the odds for the 2025 Oscar nominees, with figures reflecting both critical acclaim and popular appeal. In the best picture category, Anora leads with odds of 1/2, bolstered by its compelling tale of an exotic dancer and a Russian oligarch’s son. Conclave, at 3/1, gains momentum after wins at the BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards, while The Brutalist, at 7/1, remains a strong contender thanks to Adrien Brody’s raw performance.
For best actor, the race is tight between Timothée Chalamet of A Complete Unknown, with 21/10 odds, and Adrien Brody, the favorite at 2/5. In the best actress category, Demi Moore of The Substance surges ahead with 4/9, outpacing Mikey Madison of Anora, listed at 5/2. Brazil’s Fernanda Torres, nominated for I’m Still Here, emerges as a long shot at 12/1, though her presence is already hailed as a milestone for Brazilian cinema.
Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez, which entered the ceremony with a record 13 nominations, saw its chances plummet after controversy surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón. Old posts from the actress, dated between 2016 and 2020, criticizing Islam and George Floyd, sparked an online backlash, sidelining her from the awards circuit until the event itself.
Numbers that impress: Box office haul of the nominees
The 2025 Oscar-nominated films showcase a diverse landscape in global earnings, highlighting the contrast between blockbusters and more auteur-driven works. Wicked, the Broadway musical adaptation, tops the list with $728.4 million, surpassing Mamma Mia as the highest-grossing film of its kind. Dune: Part Two follows closely with $714.6 million, cementing its status as a sci-fi juggernaut.
Other nominees, like A Complete Unknown ($111.5 million) and Conclave ($101.3 million), show commercial staying power alongside critical praise. The Substance raked in $77.1 million, while The Brutalist ($41.3 million) and Anora ($40.9 million) cater to niche audiences. Brazil’s I’m Still Here totals $29.9 million, and Emilia Pérez, with a limited release, rounds out the list at $15.4 million.
Compared to historical giants like Avatar ($2.9 billion) and Titanic ($2.26 billion), this year’s nominees reflect a season less dominated by mega-productions. Still, the performances of Wicked and Dune: Part Two underscore the draw of well-crafted storytelling.
Night’s schedule: What happens and when
The 2025 Oscars follow a tight schedule, ensuring a seamless experience for viewers worldwide. Here’s the breakdown:
- 4 p.m. (Pacific Time): Live broadcast begins on ABC, with red carpet coverage.
- 7 p.m. (Eastern Time): Official kickoff with Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre.
- Midnight (GMT): Adjusted timing for viewers in Europe and beyond.
- Expected duration: Roughly 3 hours, featuring winner announcements, performances, and tributes.
The broadcast is also available on Hulu in the U.S., ITV1 and ITVX in the UK, and CTV in Canada, plus other international networks. Conan O’Brien’s hosting promises a light tone, with hints of humor about current events, balancing the weight of the nominated stories.
Conan O’Brien is here to make sure Oscar doesn’t crack under the spotlight.
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 2, 2025
Watch the 97th #Oscars TONIGHT, March 2nd, at 7e/4p on ABC and Hulu. pic.twitter.com/unsgbH3PFE
Context of resilience: Wildfires shape the road to the Oscars
Weeks before the Oscars, Los Angeles faced one of its worst natural disasters in history. On January 7, wildfires ravaged the region, scorching 152 square kilometers and leaving a trail of destruction. With 28 confirmed deaths, over 16,000 structures lost, and economic damages estimated at $250 billion, the crisis forced the Academy to postpone nominations twice in January.
Where to watch
Another option to follow the 2025 Oscars is the Max platform, which will offer a live broadcast starting at 7:30 PM. At the same time, the cable TV channel TNT will also begin its transmission.
Celebrities like Conan O’Brien shared personal accounts of the ordeal, while others, among the evacuated, lost their homes. On February 21, the Los Angeles mayor sacked the city’s fire chief, fueling debate over the disaster response. Despite this, the ceremony went ahead, with firefighters invited to the red carpet in a show of solidarity.
Police also heightened security at the event, with bike patrols and K-9 units visible around the Dolby Theatre. A mood of rebuilding pervades the night, with nominees like The Brutalist, which tackles resilience, resonating emotionally with attendees and viewers alike.
Oscar 2025 tidbits: Facts you need to know
This year’s Oscars bring details that enrich the awards experience. Check out some highlights:
- Wallace and Gromit return with a nomination after years, celebrating stop-motion animation’s legacy.
- Emilia Pérez set a record with 13 nominations but faces boycotts over its star’s controversy.
- Conan O’Brien, in his debut, teases “shirtless and oiled-up” comedic moments, per his own words.
- Brazil’s Fernanda Torres competes as an underdog, marking a Latin presence in the best actress race.
These elements make this edition unique, blending tradition, surprises, and a touch of triumph amid recent challenges for Hollywood.
Conan O’Brien at the helm: Humor and balance in focus
Conan O’Brien takes the Oscar stage for the first time at 61, bringing his experience as a comedian and former host of Late Night and The Tonight Show. A Harvard grad, he started as a writer on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons before cementing his TV career. In recent interviews, O’Brien emphasized his goal of honoring the nominees while tackling current events with subtle humor.
Unlike Jimmy Kimmel, who in 2024 sparred with Donald Trump live, O’Brien aims for a more measured tone. “I want to thread the needle, not ignoring the moment but keeping the focus on celebrating film,” he said at a press conference. His podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, a hit since 2018, underscores his knack for connecting with audiences, promising a memorable night.
The choice reflects the Academy’s search for a host who can blend levity and depth, especially in a year shadowed by political and natural turmoil. With nominees tackling themes like immigration (The Brutalist) and power (Conclave), O’Brien’s wit will navigate a complex landscape.
Favorites and upsets: What could define the night
While Anora, Conclave, and The Brutalist lead the best picture bets, the lack of a clear favorite opens the door for dark horses. Wicked, with its commercial might, could surprise, while I’m Still Here carries the emotional pull of a rising Brazilian production. In acting races, the Chalamet-Brody and Moore-Madison showdowns keep predictions fluid.
The Emilia Pérez controversy might shift votes elsewhere, and current themes—like the wildfires and global politics—could shape acceptance speeches. With Conan O’Brien steering the ship, the 2025 Oscars are poised to be a night of celebration, reflection, and perhaps a few unexpected twists at the Dolby Theatre.
