2025 Oscars Race: The Biggest Contenders, Surprises, and What to Expect

As the 2025 Oscars approach, Hollywood is buzzing with predictions, frontrunners, and unexpected twists in the awards race. From powerhouse performances to surprising snubs, this year’s Academy Awards are shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history. With major film festivals and precursor awards providing insight into the likely winners, fans and critics alike are debating who will take home the industry’s most prestigious honors.

In this article, we’ll dive into the biggest contenders for the 2025 Oscars, analyze the surprises and snubs, examine the impact of this year’s awards season trends, and look ahead at what to expect on the big night.

The Major Contenders for Best Picture and Acting Awards

Every awards season has its heavy hitters, and 2025 is no exception. Several films have dominated conversations, winning major accolades at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and other key ceremonies leading up to the Oscars.

Best Picture Frontrunners:

A few films have emerged as top contenders for Best Picture, including:

• Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer – This historical drama about the development of the atomic bomb has been a major player throughout awards season. With Nolan’s masterful direction and Cillian Murphy’s mesmerizing performance, Oppenheimer is widely seen as a favorite.
• Greta Gerwig’s Barbie – A cultural phenomenon, Barbie blends humor, social commentary, and stunning visuals. While it was initially considered more of a commercial success, its critical acclaim and multiple nominations have solidified its spot in the Best Picture race.
• Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon – With its epic storytelling and powerhouse performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, this film is a strong contender, despite facing tough competition.
• Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things – This imaginative and bold film starring Emma Stone has impressed critics, earning accolades for its unique storytelling and production design.

Best Actor & Best Actress Frontrunners:

In the acting categories, performances from veteran actors and rising stars alike have captured the Academy’s attention.

• Best Actor: Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), and Bradley Cooper (Maestro) are leading the pack, with each delivering career-defining performances.
• Best Actress: Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Emma Stone (Poor Things) have emerged as frontrunners, with Annette Bening (Nyad) also receiving strong support.

With such strong contenders, the race for the Oscars remains unpredictable, making this one of the most exciting years in recent memory.

Biggest Surprises and Snubs of the 2025 Awards Season

No Oscars season is complete without unexpected nominations and shocking omissions. This year has been no different, with several major surprises shaping the conversation.

Surprise Nominations:

• Margot Robbie for Barbie – While many expected the film to receive nominations, Robbie’s inclusion in the Best Actress category was not guaranteed. Her nuanced portrayal of the iconic doll has been a pleasant surprise for fans.
• Sterling K. Brown for American Fiction – Brown’s outstanding performance earned him a well-deserved nomination, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s most talented actors.
• Fantasia Barrino for The Color Purple – Many awards analysts were unsure if Barrino’s performance would gain traction, but her powerful acting and singing impressed enough Academy voters.

Shocking Snubs:

• Leonardo DiCaprio for Killers of the Flower Moon – Despite a strong performance, DiCaprio was left out of the Best Actor category, with the Academy seemingly favoring other contenders.
• Greta Gerwig for Best Director (Barbie) – Despite Barbie’s overwhelming success, Gerwig was shockingly left out of the Best Director category, leading to significant backlash from fans and industry professionals.
• Bradley Cooper for Best Director (Maestro) – While Cooper was nominated for Best Actor, many were surprised that his direction of Maestro did not make the cut.

These snubs have fueled debates about the Academy’s selection process and raised questions about how certain films and performances are valued in the awards circuit.

 

The Role of Film Festivals and Precursor Awards in the Oscars Race

The road to the Oscars is paved by key film festivals and awards shows that set the stage for the final race. Events like the Venice Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and Telluride Film Festival have historically been launchpads for Best Picture winners.

Key Festivals That Shaped the 2025 Race:

• Venice Film Festival: Poor Things made a strong impression at Venice, earning critical praise and positioning Emma Stone as a frontrunner for Best Actress.
• Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): The Holdovers gained significant momentum at TIFF, helping Paul Giamatti become a serious contender for Best Actor.
• Telluride Film Festival: Maestro and Killers of the Flower Moon solidified their awards potential at Telluride, though some unexpected contenders have since entered the conversation.

Impact of Precursor Awards:

Awards like the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Critics Choice Awards serve as predictors for the Oscars. This year, Oppenheimer and Barbie have dominated many of these events, but surprises remain possible. The BAFTAs, set to take place before the Oscars, could further shape the race.

These early indicators give us a glimpse into what might happen on Oscar night, though history has shown that the Academy often makes unpredictable choices.

Diversity and Representation in the 2025 Oscars

The Academy has made significant strides in recent years toward greater diversity, but each awards season brings renewed discussions about representation. The 2025 Oscars race has been no exception.

Progress in Representation:

• Lily Gladstone’s Historic Nomination – As an Indigenous actress, Gladstone’s nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon marks a major milestone for Native American representation in Hollywood. If she wins, she would make history as the first Indigenous actress to take home an Oscar.
• Strong Female-Led Films – Movies like Barbie and Poor Things have showcased strong female leads, proving that stories centered around women can dominate both critically and commercially.

Challenges and Controversies:

• Greta Gerwig’s Best Director Snub – The omission of Gerwig from the Best Director category has reignited debates about the recognition of female directors in Hollywood. Many critics argue that her visionary work on Barbie deserved a nomination.
• Underrepresentation in Technical Categories – While progress has been made in acting and directing categories, areas like cinematography and editing continue to see limited diversity.

Overall, while the 2025 Oscars have seen improvements in representation, there is still room for growth in ensuring that all voices are recognized in the film industry.

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What to Expect on Oscars Night 2025

With so many close races and unexpected twists, the 2025 Oscars are shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable ceremonies in years.

Potential Big Winners:

• Oppenheimer is likely to take home multiple awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Christopher Nolan.
• Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone are leading the Best Actress race, making for a compelling showdown.
• Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti are locked in a tight battle for Best Actor.

Memorable Moments to Watch:

• The Acceptance Speeches – If Lily Gladstone wins, expect an emotional and historic speech.
• The Opening Monologue – The host will set the tone for the night, addressing both the excitement and controversies of the awards season.
• Surprise Wins – Every Oscars has its shockers, and 2025 will likely be no different.

As the industry’s biggest night approaches, film lovers around the world are eagerly waiting to see who takes home the gold. Whether you’re rooting for the frontrunners or hoping for an underdog win, the 2025 Oscars promise to be an unforgettable event.

From decoratedbliss