The 2025 Oscar Awards were held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This grand event celebrated the year’s best films, actors and filmmakers. Fans around the world eagerly waited to see who would take home the golden trophies.
From Best Picture to Best Actor and Actress, this year’s Oscars had many surprises, emotional moments, and unforgettable wins. In this article, we will look at the complete winners list, the selection process and some of the biggest highlights from the 97th Academy Awards.
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What are the Oscars?
The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, are the most prestigious awards in the film industry. Organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) these awards recognize excellence in acting, directing, writing, cinematography and various other aspects of filmmaking.
First held in 1927, the Oscars have become an annual event where Hollywood’s biggest stars gather to celebrate the best films of the year. Winners receive a golden statuette officially called the Academy Award of Merit but commonly known as the Oscar.
History of the Oscars
The Oscars, officially known as the Academy Awards, began in 1927 as a way to honor excellence in the film industry. The first ceremony was a small private dinner held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where winners were announced in advance.
Over the years, the Oscars evolved into a grand televised event first broadcast on radio in 1930 and later on television in 1953. The golden Oscar statuette which symbolizes achievement in cinema has remained a key part of the awards since the beginning.
The awards have gone through several changes, including the introduction of new categories, voting system updates and diversity efforts. Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) oversees the Oscars, ensuring they remain the most prestigious film awards in the world.
Main Oscar Categories
The Oscars honors excellence in various aspects of filmmaking through multiple award categories. Here are the main Oscar categories:
- Best Picture: Awarded to the overall best film of the year.
- Best Director: Recognizes the director’s vision and execution.
- Best Actor: This is Given to the best male lead performance.
- Best Actress: This is Given to the best female lead performance.
- Best Supporting Actor: Honors a standout male performance in a supporting role.
- Best Supporting Actress: Honors a standout female performance in a supporting role.
- Best Adapted Screenplay: This is Given for a script adapted from another source like a book or play.
- Best Visual Effects: Awarded for outstanding special effects.
- Best Cinematography: Honors outstanding camera work and visual storytelling.
- Best Sound: Recognizes achievements in sound design and mixing.
- Best Costume Design: Recognizes creativity in costume creation.
- Best Animated Feature: Recognizes excellence in animated films.
Famous Oscar Winners
- Katharine Hepburn: Holds the record for the most Oscar wins by an actor, winning 4 times for Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968) and On Golden Pond (1981). Interestingly, she never attended the ceremony to collect her awards.
- Daniel Day-Lewis: The only actor to win Best Actor three times for My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012).
- Meryl Streep: Holds the record for the most Oscar nominations, winning three times.
Who has won the most Oscars?
- Walt Disney: Holds the record for the most Oscars ever winning 22 Academy Awards across various categories, mostly for Best Animated Short Film.
- Cedric Gibbons: Art director who won 11 Oscars for Best Production Design.
- Edith Head: Legendary costume designer who won 8 Oscars. Dennis Muren: Visual effects supervisor with 9 Oscar wins.
- Alan Menken: Composer and songwriter with 8 Oscar wins.
Latest Oscar Winners
Here are the latest Oscar winners:
- Best Picture
Oppenheimer
- Best Actor
Cillian Murphy
- Best Actress
Emma Stone
- Best Director
Christopher Nolan
- Best Supporting Actor
Adrien Brody
- Best Supporting Actress
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
- Best Animated Feature
The Boy and the Heron
- Best International Feature
The Zone of Interest
Oscar Controversies & Surprises
The Academy Awards commonly known as the Oscars, have a storied history filled with both acclaim and controversy. Over the years, several notable incidents have sparked debates and discussions within the film industry and among audiences.
Historic Upsets and Surprises
The 97th Academy Awards witnessed several groundbreaking moments:
- Sean Baker’s Record-Tying Wins: Director Sean Baker matched Walt Disney’s longstanding record by securing four Oscars in a single year for his film “Anora.” Remarkably, he achieved this feat with just one film, highlighting his multifaceted talent.
- Zoe Saldaña’s Milestone: Saldaña made history by becoming the first Dominican actress to win an Oscar, marking a significant step toward greater representation in Hollywood.
- Paul Tazewell’s Achievement: Tazewell became the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for his work on “Wicked,” showcasing the evolving recognition of diverse talents in various film production facets.
Notable Controversies
The Oscars have also faced several controversies over the years:
- Expulsions from the Academy: The Academy has taken decisive actions against members who violated its standards. Notably, Harvey Weinstein was expelled in 2017 following numerous sexual assault allegations. Similarly, Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski were expelled in 2018 due to their respective legal issues, underscoring the Academy’s commitment to maintaining ethical standards.
- Will Smith’s Decade-Long Ban: In 2022, Will Smith received a ten-year ban from attending the Oscars after an on-stage altercation with comedian Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards. This incident sparked widespread discussions about conduct and professionalism within the industry.
How Oscar Winners Are Chosen?
The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, follow a meticulous process to select their winners involving the participation of industry professionals who are members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Nomination Process
- Branch Voting: The Academy comprises various branches, each representing different disciplines within the film industry, such as actors, directors, writers and more. Members of each branch are responsible for nominating candidates within their respective fields. For example, actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors, and so on.
- General Categories: Certain categories like Best Picture are open for nominations from all voting members, regardless of their specific branch.
Voting for Winners
- General Voting: Once the nominations are finalized all eligible voting members of the Academy cast their votes to determine the winners in most categories. Each member votes within their expertise, but all are eligible to vote for Best Picture.
Voting Systems:
- Plurality Voting: In most categories, the winner is selected by plurality voting, meaning the nominee with the most votes wins.
- Preferential Voting for Best Picture: The Best Picture category employs a preferential voting system. Members rank the nominees in order of preference. If no film receives more than half of the first-choice votes, the film with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated, and its votes are redistributed based on the voters subsequent choices. This process continues until a film achieves a majority, ensuring a consensus choice for Best Picture.
Who votes for the winners?
The winners are chosen by the approximately 10,500 members of the Academy, encompassing professionals from various sectors of the film industry. Each member belongs to a specific branch corresponding to their field of expertise, allowing for informed voting during both the nomination and final voting phases. This structured approach ensures that peers recognize excellence within their own disciplines, maintaining the integrity and prestige of the Oscars.
Who wins Best Actor in 2025?
At the 97th Academy Awards held in 2025, Adrien Brody won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of László Tóth in “The Brutalist.” This win marked his second Oscar, coming 22 years after his first for “The Pianist” in 2003.
Who is the greatest actor of all time?
Determining the “greatest actor of all time” is subjective and varies based on personal opinions and criteria. However, Cary Grant is frequently cited as one of the greatest leading men in Hollywood history. Biographers Morecambe and Stirling referred to him as the “greatest leading man Hollywood had ever known,” and critic Richard Schickel described him as the “best star actor there ever was in the movies.”
Conclusion
The Oscars remain the most prestigious awards in the film industry, celebrating excellence in filmmaking, acting, directing, and technical achievements. Every year, the event brings excitement, surprises and sometimes controversies, making it a highly anticipated occasion for movie lovers worldwide. Whether honoring legendary actors or recognizing new talent, the Academy Awards continue to shape the cinematic landscape and inspire future generations of filmmakers.
FAQs
Who is the only man to win 3 Oscars?
Daniel Day-Lewis is the only male actor to have won three Academy Awards for Best Actor.
Who has 26 Oscars?
Walt Disney holds the record for the most Oscars won by an individual, with a total of 26 Academy Awards.