The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were announced today, January 23, 2025. As a movie review blog, we at Stream to Big Screen feel obligated to highlight this annual event. From the crop of 2024 releases, there were surprises and snubs, but unlike many years, movies that were released throughout the calendar year were able to get recognition from the Academy. We have seen and/or reviewed many of these movies that came away with nominations. Below, we will give our best initial guesses on who will prevail in the top categories at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025.

And the nominees are:

BEST PICTURE:

Anora

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Perez

I’m Still Here

Nickel Boys

The Substance

Wicked

Since Emilia Perez is the nomination leader with 13, it would be reasonable to assume that the musical drama about a crime boss becoming a woman has the best shot and the most support for a win in Best Picture. The Brutalist and Wicked have the next most nominations with 10 each, and then A Complete Unknown and Conclave each have 8 nominations. These top 5 films show broad support across the branches of the Academy, so it could go any way. Our early prediction for the win here, and that’s only because of its 13 nominations: Emilia Perez.

BEST DIRECTOR:

Sean Baker, Anora

Brady Corbet, The Brutalist

James Mangold, A Complete Unknown

Jacques Audiard, Emilia Perez

Coralie Fargeat, The Substance

Using the same logic for Best Director, Jacques Audiard has directed the most nominated film. It would stand to reason that he would be rewarded as the Best Director, especially if Emilia Perez is the favorite for a Best Picture win. However, it seems like Brady Corbet’s opus, The Brutalist, is the directing achievement of the year, and 10 nominations for The Brutalist is nothing to sneeze at. Our early prediction for Best Director: Brady Corbet, The Brutalist.

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE:

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Colman Domingo, Sing Sing

Ralph Fiennes, Conclave

Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice

Best Actor is probably a two-way race. Timothee Chalamet plays Bob Dylan, and his movie has 8 nominations. The Academy loves when actors play real-life people. Remember when Rami Malek won for playing Freddie Mercury; but this time Chalamet does his own singing! Adrien Brody is the lead of the most nominated film in this field. This is Brody’s first nomination since he won Best Actor more than 20 years ago. He’s got that comeback narrative that voters seem to love. Early prediction for Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown, but I could toss a coin and switch to Brody.

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE:

Cynthia Erivo, Wicked

Karla Sofia Gascon, Emilia Perez

Mikey Madison, Anora

Demi Moore, The Substance

Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here

Fernanda Torres’s late surge to a nomination was such as surprise that it is hard to determine who really is in the lead for this category. She just won a Golden Globe for her performance in I’m Still Here and the film got a surprise Best Picture nomination. Demi Moore also won a Golden Globe this year for her performance in The Substance. She gave a powerful speech and most likely makes her the sentimental favorite. I would say that Erivo, Gascon and Madison are not out of the running based on the success of their films as well. I’m thinking Demi Moore is this year’s Sandra Bullock in The Blindside. Early Best Actress prediction: Demi Moore, The Substance.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:

Yura Borisov, Anora

Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown

Guy Pearce, The Brutalist

Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice

Kieran Culkin has been racking up awards this season for his role in A Real Pain. If there is one sure bet this season, it’s Culkin’s march to his first Oscar win. Unless the Academy finally wants to award Edward Norton for years of great work, I don’t think there is an alternative to Culkin – not even his “Succession” co-star. For Best Actor in a Supporting Role, the early guess: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:

Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown

Ariana Grande, Wicked

Felicity Jones, The Brutalist

Isabella Rossellini, Conclave

Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez

Many are predicting this is a race between the two musical performances. Ariana Grande is a hilarious scene-stealer in Wicked. Her voice is beautiful, and she moves like a dream. Plus, her early campaigning for this film has been meme-worthy. Zoe Saldana has a powerful role in Emilia Perez, and she’s probably the best part of a movie that I don’t care for. She certainly is the centerpiece of the most rousing scene in the movie. Unfortunately, she also is featured in the most embarrassing scene. I don’t think it matters because the Oscars are gonna Oscar. Early prediction for Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

 Anora

The Brutalist

A Real Pain

September 5

The Substance

Anora, The Brutalist and The Substance are all Best Picture nominees. Each is written or co-written by the film’s director. Anora relies on humor and emotion. The Substance has a high concept which is something that is typically rewarded in this category. The Brutalist‘s best attribute is its direction. I’m torn between Anora and The Substance as the winner here, but I think the Academy’s taste will lean towards giving Sean Baker an Oscar here. My current Best Original Screenplay prediction for the win: Anora.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

 A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Emilia Perez

Nickel Boys

Sing Sing

Emilia Perez has so many nominations. It feels like it will definitely win Best Supporting Actress and Best International Film, and probably even Best Original Song. I think the Academy may spread the wealth here and the screenplay category will go to another film. A Complete Unknown and Conclave have the same nomination tally, but this category is Conclave‘s best shot at a win, especially if Chalamet is as strong as I think he is. Moreover, Conclave‘s strongest attribute is its story and screenplay. For those reason, my early prediction for Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave.

MISCELLANEOUS THOUGTS:

From Trip: I didn’t love many movies in 2024, so I don’t really care who wins. Most of these movies are fine. However, in my opinion, Emilia Perez is not worthy of 13 nominations, and the musical aspect of it is embarrassing. Anyway, I’m glad a movie like The Substance has gotten recognition and the amazing crafts in Nosferatu were not ignored, but I’m bummed that Denzel Washington’s scenery-chewing greatness in Gladiator II was not recognized. Where is any love for Challengers, Monkey Man, or Civil War? The Oscar nominations are always a mixed bag, so it is what it is.

Tell us your thoughts about the Oscar nominations, leave your comments about our too-early predictions and make some predictions of your own. Were there any movies left out of these nominations that you wish had been included? Speak up!

The 97th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC and Hulu.

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