The 97th Academy Awards delivered historic victories and surprising upsets across major categories. Sean Baker's Anora dominated the evening, taking home the coveted Best Picture trophy along with wins for directing, original screenplay, and editing. Held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and hosted by Conan O'Brien, the ceremony celebrated a diverse slate of films ranging from gritty indie dramas to massive blockbusters.
If you're tracking the final outcomes, you'll find the complete breakdown of winners, key takeaways, and category analysis below.
Major Category Winners and Breakdown
The top categories set the tone for the industry. This year featured intense competition across acting and directing races, with several frontrunners securing historic wins.
Best Picture and Directing
Anora captured the top honor of the night. Sean Baker secured the Best Director prize, cementing the film's position as a critical darling that resonated deeply with Academy voters. Other major nominees included The Brutalist, Conclave, and Dune: Part Two, but Baker's independent feature swept the conversation.
Lead Acting Categories
Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his towering performance as an architect in The Brutalist, adding a second Academy Award to his career. In the Best Actress race, Mikey Madison took home the trophy for her breakout lead role in Anora. Both actors delivered raw, emotionally complex performances that defined the cinematic year.
Supporting Acting Categories
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, bringing his signature sharp comedic timing and emotional vulnerability to the stage. Zoe Saldaña earned the Best Supporting Actress win for her dynamic performance in Emilia Pérez.
- Best Picture: Anora (Directed by Sean Baker)
- Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
For official background on the voting body and historical context, you can visit the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Craft and Technical Winners
Technical categories showcased excellence in world-building, sound design, and visual mastery. Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic continued its technical dominance from previous installments, while fantasy adaptations and gritty dramas split the remaining craft categories.
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave (Screenplay by Peter Straughan)
- Best Original Screenplay: Anora (Written by Sean Baker)
- Best Animated Feature Film: Flow (Directed by Gints Zilbalodis)
- Best International Feature Film: I'm Still Here (Brazil, directed by Walter Salles)
- Best Cinematography: The Brutalist (Lol Crawley)
- Best Film Editing: Anora (Sean Baker)
- Best Sound: Dune: Part Two (Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill)
- Best Production Design: Wicked (Nathan Crowley, Lee Sandales)
- Best Costume Design: Wicked (Paul Tazewell)
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance (Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, Marilyne Scarselli)
- Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two (Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, Gerd Nefzer)
- Best Original Score: The Brutalist (Daniel Blumberg)
- Best Original Song: "El Mal" from Emilia Pérez (Music and Lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard)
- Best Documentary Feature Film: No Other Land (Directed by Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham)
To read more about box office trends and industry reactions, check out coverage by Variety.
Key Takeaways from the 97th Academy Awards
Independent cinema scored a massive victory this year. While studios poured hundreds of millions into franchise extensions, smaller productions like Anora proved that narrative grit and authentic storytelling still capture the Academy's attention.
Another notable trend was the international flavor of the nominees. Films from across the globe competed not just in the international feature category, but across major technical and marquee races. This shift shows a broader recognition of global talent by the voting blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hosted the 2025 Academy Awards?
Conan O'Brien hosted the ceremony. He brought his signature quick wit and live television experience to the event, balancing humor with standard awards pacing.
Which film won the most Oscars?
Anora led the night with multiple top-tier wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
Where can I watch the winning films?
Most of the winning titles are available to stream on major subscription platforms, rent through digital storefronts, or find on physical media via official studio distributors.
How are Oscar winners chosen?
Active members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences vote within their respective branches for nominations, and the entire voting membership participates in selecting the final winners across all categories.
