2025 Oscars Surprise Us All: The Hits, Misses, And Must-Know Moments
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- James M
- January 24, 2025
Finally, the 2025 Oscar nominations have surfaced, sparking discussions both inside and outside of the film business. Fans and pundits are in a state of awe after this year’s announcement, which included both anticipated outcomes and shocking turns.
Hollywood’s biggest night is getting more and more exciting as the awards ceremony is scheduled to air on March 2. As usual, the nominees offer an insight into the Academy’s changing preferences, presenting a mix of conventional selections and bold, unanticipated ones.
Emilia Pérez is in the lead, having received an incredible 13 nominations, including Best Picture and several acting categories. Wicked and The Brutalist, who each received ten nominations and demonstrated their tenacity throughout the awards season, are right behind it.
Although these leaders have created a lot of excitement, there have been other stories besides their dominance. Long-standing prejudices against genre films in the Oscar spotlight were also challenged by horror pictures like The Substance and Nosferatu.
Of course, without a few surprises, no Oscars season would be complete. Selena Gomez was conspicuously overlooked in the Supporting Actress category, despite being largely regarded as a lock for her role in Emilia Pérez.
Sebastian Stan, meanwhile, shocked everyone by being nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Donald Trump on The Apprentice. Fans are arguing over what these decisions mean for the Academy Awards’ future because of the combination of daring surprises and annoying omissions.
The backdrop of recent difficulties, such as the tragic wildfires in Los Angeles that postponed the announcement of the nominations, adds to the significance of this year’s Oscars.
The performance is proceeding according to schedule in spite of these obstacles, and it looks to be one of the more unpredictable ceremonies in recent memory. The 2025 Oscars are looking to be an exciting and joyous occasion, complete with surprises, snubs, and a wider selection of films.
Who is in the lead among the heavyweights?
Emilia Pérez is clearly the clear favorite as the 2025 Oscar nominations come to a close. With an astounding 13 nominations, the movie has drawn interest from both reviewers and viewers.
Best Picture, Best Director for Adrian Vega, and acting nominations for Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña are among its many accolades. This season, Emilia Pérez has dominated the awards debate, and the Academy’s changing priorities continue to be reflected in its rich and varied narrative.
Wicked and The Brutalist, each of which received an astounding ten nominations, are not far behind. Under the direction of Jon M. Chu, the visually spectacular adaption of the well-known Broadway musical Wicked has mesmerized audiences.
Wicked is expected to be a strong contender with nominations in important categories like Best Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo, and Best Original Song. Its widespread popularity demonstrates the timeless appeal of musicals when combined with the appropriate artistic vision.
Brady Corbet’s film The Brutalist, on the other hand, takes a very different approach to the race. Joel Edgerton and Marion Cotillard have been nominated for Best Picture and Best Director, respectively, for this architectural drama about art, ambition, and self-sacrifice.
It has established itself as one of the year’s most acclaimed films because to its painstaking artistry and provocative story.
Emilia Pérez, Wicked, and The Brutalist are three movies that demonstrate how the Oscars can recognize both popular blockbusters and works of art. Their combined 33 nominations demonstrate their supremacy in almost all significant categories, ranging from technical accomplishments to acting.
These heavyweights are expected to compete for the greatest honors of the night at the 2025 Academy Awards, making them exciting candidates to watch in this fiercely fought race.
Wallace and Gromit are 6-time #Oscars nominees.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 23, 2025
See the full nominees list: https://t.co/OKiP9PBUtq pic.twitter.com/6JJX9C2Quf
Snubs That Sting
Selena Gomez’s rejection from the Supporting Actress category for her part in Emilia Pérez is one of the most well-known snubs of the 2025 Oscar nominations. Gomez gave a remarkable performance as a member of the highly regarded group, which many thought would earn her her first Oscar nomination.
Her co-stars Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón were also honored in the acting categories, which further added to the surprise. Discussions concerning whether the Academy lost a chance to recognize Gomez’s groundbreaking work in such a well-known movie have been triggered by this exclusion.
Both fans and critics are in disbelief over Daniel Craig’s exclusion from the Best Actor list for his role in Queer. Craig’s inclusion was surprising because of the great praise he received for his nuanced performance in Luca Guadagnino’s personal drama.
The sadness is exacerbated by Guadagnino’s work being completely overlooked for an Oscar this year, as neither Queer nor Challengers received any nods. This rejection begs the question of why the Academy is hesitant to accept the unique storytelling style of a filmmaker who is known for pushing boundaries.
Another surprise was the conspicuous absence of Angelina Jolie, who was regarded as a leading candidate for the Best Actress award for her title role in Maria.
Throughout the awards season, Jolie received a lot of accolades for her intensely emotional performance, thus her exclusion was one of the biggest upsets of the year. Both industry insiders and fans were left wondering how a performance this dominant could go unnoticed in a year full of competition.
‘NOSFERATU’ has been nominated for 4 #Oscars
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 23, 2025
• Best Make-Up & Hair
• Best Costume Design
• Best Cinematography
• Best Production Design
See the full nominees list: https://t.co/OKiP9PBUtq pic.twitter.com/5w97tGtrzE
Sebastian Stan’s unexpected Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice was one of the most shocking surprises of the 2025 Oscar nominations. Stan’s recognition is especially noteworthy because the picture, which is based on the contentious former president, caused polarizing reactions when it was first released.
Although the performance was praised, many were surprised by how strongly it affected the Academy and felt that its subject matter was divisive. There is no doubt that this nomination has sparked discussion concerning the evaluation of biographical performances and the impact of political themes on Oscar voting.
The Substance, a campy horror movie that surprised everyone by receiving five nominations—including Best Picture, Best Director for Coralie Fargeat, and Best Actress for Demi Moore—was another big surprise. The Academy’s decision to recognize The Substance was audacious because horror movies don’t often get such prestigious nominations, particularly in important categories.
Critics have responded favorably to its exciting blend of humor and horror, and its nomination in these categories has spurred discussions regarding the broader definition of what makes a picture worthy of an Oscar. The Substance’s unexpected nominations could be a sign that the Academy Awards are starting to accept genre films more widely.
In a same vein, the iconic horror reimagining Nosferatu received an unexpected four nominations, including nominations for Makeup and Hairstyling, Costume Design, Production Design, and Cinematography. Horror movies usually don’t do well at the Oscars, but Nosferatu’s spooky images and breathtaking craftsmanship drew in viewers.
The Academy’s increasing appreciation of the skill required to bring such classic tales to life on the big screen is reflected in the film’s achievement in these extremely technical categories. This accomplishment could mark a sea change for the genre in the most coveted prizes in Hollywood.
I’m Still Here received a surprising Best Picture nomination in the world of international film, and Fernanda Torres was honored for her outstanding performance in the Brazilian drama. Few expected this degree of Oscar accolades for a movie that first went unnoticed, but Torres had previously received praise at the Golden Globes.
I’m Still Here’s inclusion in the Best Picture competition is evidence of the Academy’s increasing acceptance of diverse cinema. This nomination demonstrates the Academy’s growing international presence and its readiness to recognize outstanding performances from genres outside of Hollywood.
Monica Barbaro, who deservedly received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal in A Complete Unknown, is one of the most exciting breakout stars of the 2025 Oscars. Barbaro’s portrayal of a nuanced, emotionally complex character struck a deep chord with viewers and reviewers alike, solidifying her as a budding Hollywood talent.
Her Oscar nomination is an obvious acknowledgement of her talent to enthrall on the big screen, and her nuanced and captivating performance stood out in an ensemble cast. Barbaro’s selection as a novice to the race is evidence of both the film’s emotional depth and her evident talent.
Kieran Culkin’s position as one of the most prominent actors of this season has been cemented by his selection in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance in A Real Pain. With his nuanced portrayal of a disturbed guy in the movie, Culkin has been making waves on the awards circuit, and his Oscar nomination is a testament to his impressive performance.
He is a serious candidate for this esteemed category because of the widespread appreciation for his performance’s nuance and emotional depth. With this historic nomination, Culkin, one of the most talked-about actors of the season, is set to leave a lasting impression on Hollywood.
To further cement A Real Pain’s place in the 2025 Oscar race, Jesse Eisenberg received a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, adding to the film’s already impressive list of honors. Many people have praised Eisenberg’s screenplay for its incisive writing and emotional relevance, which combines dark comedy with profound reflection.
Eisenberg’s work behind the scenes has been acknowledged as one of the year’s most imaginative and provocative scripts, even though the movie itself didn’t receive a Best Picture nomination. This nomination demonstrates the Academy’s value of unique voices and the ability of narrative to create the most memorable movies of the year.
Despite not being a strong contender for important categories like Best Picture, A Real Pain has undoubtedly had an impact on this year’s Oscars, as evidenced by the acknowledgment of both Culkin and Eisenberg.
Their nominations serve as a testament to the strength of script and performance, elevating a film that has earned a spot among the most memorable of the 2025 awards season while not necessarily being predicted to win. The movie and its stars have come to represent the triumph of the underdog, and their fame adds a new level of excitement to the Academy Awards.
The Academy’s changing taste is reflected in the 2025 Oscar nominations, which now more than ever embrace horror and unusual genres. Both Nosferatu and The Substance received surprising nominations, indicating that the Academy is starting to accept movies that don’t fit the usual “Oscar-bait” stereotype.
Darkly satirical and campy, The Substance received five major nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Likewise, the eerie reimagining of the horror classic, Nosferatu, won awards in important technical categories including cinematography and production design. These additions imply that long-standing boundaries are being broken down, giving genre films a legitimate chance to compete in the Academy’s top categories.
This change in the Academy’s methodology deviates from the conventional standards of “Oscar-worthy” narrative. The Academy has a long history of ignoring genre films in favor of dramas, historical epics, and biographical films.
The nominees for 2025, however, demonstrate that movies like The Substance and Nosferatu can enthrall both viewers and reviewers, demonstrating that horror, fantasy, and other unorthodox genres may hold a prominent position in the awards discussion.
The popularity of these movies reflects a larger pattern in which the definition of what is “Oscar-worthy” keeps growing. This shift may pave the way for more creative and varied films that go against the Academy’s established tastes.
It is obvious that the 2025 Oscars will be everything but a routine celebration. The fight for the night’s biggest honors will be anything but simple with so many surprises and snubs, including the rise of genre films and unorthodox storytelling.
The Academy’s readiness to accept fresh viewpoints and reinterpret what is deemed deserving of honor is demonstrated by this year’s nominations. The Oscars’ changing landscape raises the possibility that subsequent shows will be even more lively, varied, and full of surprising candidates.