Oscars 2025 recap: Highlights and biggest moments from 97th Academy Awards

ByKimberlee Sakamoto, Hayley FitzPatrick, Carson Blackwelder, Angeline Jane Bernabe, and Mason Leib OTRC logo
Last updated: Monday, March 3, 2025 5:20AM GMT
2025 Oscars
Joelle Garguilo recaps the Oscars, highlighting some of the big moments.

LOS ANGELES -- The 2025 Oscars honored the best in cinema from the past year Sunday night.

The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, ended with "Anora" taking home the coveted trophy for best picture.

"Anora" was the top film of the night, taking home five Oscars including best director for Sean Baker.

The top acting prizes went to Adrien Brody, who won best actor for "The Brutalist," and Mikey Madison, who won best actress for "Anora." Winning in the supporting categories were "Emilia Pérez" star Zoe Saldaña and "A Real Pain" star Kieran Culkin.

Heading into the ceremony, "Emilia Pérez" led the field of nominees with 13 total Oscar nominations. It ended the night with two trophies.

This year's show honored the city of Los Angeles in the wake of the wildfires that left at least 29 dead and destroyed thousands of homes earlier this year, bringing firefighters onto the Oscars stage and hosting a charitable component to raise money for fire victims.

The Oscars ceremony aired live on ABC and streamed live on Hulu for the first time.

Scroll down for a recap of the Oscars and check out all coverage of the 97th Academy Awards here.


OTRC logo
Mar 03, 2025, 12:32 AM

Full list of winners from the 97th Academy Awards

Go here for a look at the full winners list.

OTRC logo
Mar 03, 2025, 4:35 AM

PHOTOS: 2025 Oscars parties highlights

Take a look at the photo gallery below for the glitz and glamour of the Oscars viewing and after parties with exclusive photos capturing Hollywood's elite celebrating the night in style.

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Cynthia Erivo attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
GMA logo
Mar 02, 2025, 10:46 PM GMT

Ariana Grande channels Glinda on the carpet

"Wicked" star Ariana Grande has hit the Oscars red carpet.

The actress channeled her character Glinda from the blockbuster film, wearing a light pink Schiaparelli gown for the occasion.

Ariana Grande arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Ariana Grande arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Ariana Grande arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Ariana Grande arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Grande is nominated for best supporting actress tonight for her role in "Wicked."

See more fashion moments from the red carpet here.

OTRC logo
Mar 02, 2025, 10:48 PM GMT

Cynthia Erivo, Whoopi Goldberg share sweet moment on Oscars red carpet

Cynthia Erivo and Whoopi Goldberg shared a sweet moment Sunday on the Oscars red carpet.

The actresses held hands during an interview with George Pennacchio.

'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo and Whoopi Goldberg shared a sweet moment during an interview with George Pennacchio on the Oscars red carpet.

They discussed Erivo's new song "Replay" and how she feels going into Oscars night.

Erivo is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for "Wicked," and the film is up for Best Picture.

GMA logo
Mar 02, 2025, 10:13 PM GMT

Oscars predictions: Who will win tonight?

Film critic Peter Travers shared his predictions on who will win and who should win at the 2025 Oscars, breaking down the major categories of the night.

Travers said "The Brutalist" should take home the biggest prize of the night -- best picture -- but predicted "Conclave" will squeak out a win over "Anora."

Travers predicted that Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña will win the best supporting actor and best supporting actress Oscars for their respective work in "A Real Pain" and "Emilia Pérez," but he had other opinions about who should win in the categories.

Check out more of Travers' predictions here.

OTRC logo
Mar 02, 2025, 10:10 PM GMT

Harrison Ford steps down as Oscars presenter amid shingles diagnosis

Harrison Ford has dropped out of presenting at the 2025 Oscars after a shingles diagnosis, his publicist confirmed.

The 82-year-old actor canceled his presenting role Saturday amid the diagnosis. He was reportedly doing ok and resting.

Go here for the full story.

Harrison Ford has dropped out of presenting at the 2025 Oscars after a shingles diagnosis, his publicist confirmed.