Oscar 2025 Predictions: Best Picture, Director, and Actor Contenders

As the 97th Academy Awards draw near, the competition is heating up. With the BAFTA longlist shaking up the categories, the race for the Oscars is wide open.

As we await the SAG nominations, and Critics Choice Awards, new films and performances are emerging, making predictions even more unpredictable. Here’s a look at the latest Oscar contenders and predictions.

Best Picture Predictions

Several films have made a strong impact, including All We Imagine as Light, Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked. These films are all vying for the prestigious Best Picture nomination, with fierce competition from both established names and newcomers.

Director Predictions

The director race is equally exciting, with names like Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Jon M. Chu for Wicked, and Brady Corbet for The Brutalist making waves. These talented directors are shaping up to be strong contenders for Best Director.

Actor and Actress Predictions

In the acting categories, Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown, Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes for Conclave, and Hugh Grant for Heretic are all in the running for Best Actor. Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez, Marianne Jean-Baptiste for Hard Truths, Mikey Madison for Anora, and Demi Moore for The Substance are leading the race for Best Actress.

Supporting Actor and Actress Predictions

The Supporting Actor category is packed with talent, with Yura Borisov for Anora, Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain, Edward Norton for A Complete Unknown, Guy Pearce for The Brutalist, and Denzel Washington for Gladiator II all in the mix. For Supporting Actress, Selena Gomez for Emilia Pérez, Ariana Grande for Wicked, Margaret Qualley for The Substance, Isabella Rossellini for Conclave, and Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez are top contenders.

Screenplay and Animated Features

The race for Original Screenplay is also heating up, with films like All We Imagine as Light, Anora, The Brutalist, and The Substance leading the way. In the Animated Feature category, films like Flow, Inside Out 2, Memoir of a Snail, Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, and The Wild Robot are expected to make a strong showing.

Other Categories to Watch

There are many other exciting categories to watch, including Production Design, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, and Visual Effects. Films like Dune: Part Two, Wicked, The Brutalist, Conclave, and Gladiator II are all expected to shine in these areas.

Documentary and International Feature Predictions

The Documentary Feature race is also competitive, with Daughters, No Other Land, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, and Sugarcane leading the charge. In the International Feature category, Emilia Pérez from France, I’m Still Here from Brazil, Kneecap from Ireland, The Seed of the Sacred Fig from Germany, and Vermiglio from Italy are among the top contenders.

As we move closer to the 97th Academy Awards, the race is still wide open, and predictions continue to evolve. With so many talented films and performances in the running, it’s anyone’s game.