2025 Oscars Ballot: A Comprehensive Overview of the Nominees

The 2025 Oscars ballot is a vibrant reflection of cinematic excellence, showcasing a diverse array of films, directors, and performers. This year’s nominations highlight both established names and emerging talents, with a mix of films that have captivated audiences and critics alike. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key categories and their nominees, capturing the essence of this year’s race.

Best Picture and Director: A Stellar Competition

The Best Picture category is fiercely competitive, with films like "Anora", "The Brutalist", "A Complete Unknown", "Conclave", "Dune: Part Two", "Emilia Pérez", "I’m Still Here", "Nickel Boys", "The Substance", and "Wicked" vying for the top honor. These films represent a wide range of genres, from epic sequels like "Dune: Part Two" to intimate character studies like "Emilia Pérez".

In the Best Director category, nominees include Jacques Audiard ("Emilia Pérez"), Sean Baker ("Anora"), Brady Corbet ("The Brutalist"), Coralie Fargeat ("The Substance"), and James Mangold ("A Complete Unknown"). Each director has brought a unique vision to their respective films, further elevating the competition. Both categories reflect a balance of artistic innovation and storytelling prowess, making predictions particularly challenging.

Acting Categories: Talent and Versatility on Display

The acting categories are equally impressive, featuring performances that have left a lasting impression. In the Best Actor category, Adrien Brody ("The Brutalist") and Timothée Chalamet ("A Complete Unknown") are joined by Colman Domingo ("Sing Sing"), Ralph Fiennes ("Conclave"), and Sebastian Stan ("The Apprentice"). Each actor delivers a standout performance, showcasing their ability to embody complex characters.

The Best Actress category is no less captivating, with Cynthia Erivo ("Wicked") and Karla Sofía Gascón ("Emilia Pérez") leading the charge. Mikey Madison ("Anora"), Demi Moore ("The Substance"), and Fernanda Torres ("I’m Still Here") round out the list. These performances highlight the depth and nuance brought by these actresses to their roles.

The Supporting Actor and Actress categories are equally stacked with talent. In the Supporting Actor category, Yura Borisov ("Anora"), Kieran Culkin ("A Real Pain"), Edward Norton ("A Complete Unknown"), Guy Pearce ("The Brutalist"), and Jeremy Strong ("The Apprentice") are all in the running. For Supporting Actress, Monica Barbaro ("A Complete Unknown"), Ariana Grande ("Wicked"), Felicity Jones ("The Brutalist"), Isabella Rossellini ("Conclave"), and Zoe Saldaña ("Emilia Pérez") bring their own brand of excellence to the table.

Screenplay and Technical Categories: Where Story Meets Craft

The Original and Adapted Screenplay categories highlight the art of storytelling. In Original Screenplay, "Anora", "The Brutalist", "A Real Pain", "September 5", and "The Substance" compete for the award. For Adapted Screenplay, "Conclave", "A Complete Unknown", "Emilia Pérez", "Nickel Boys", and "Sing Sing" showcase the art of translating existing material into compelling cinema.

Technical categories such as Production Design, Costume Design, and Cinematography further emphasize the craftsmanship behind these films. Movies like "The Brutalist", "Conclave", "Dune: Part Two", and "Wicked" dominate these categories, with their intricate sets, costumes, and visual aesthetics. In Cinematography, "The Brutalist", "Dune: Part Two", "Emilia Pérez", "Maria", and "Nosferatu" are recognized for their stunning visuals.

Editing, Sound, and Visual Effects categories also feature a mix of newcomers and established films, with "Anora", "The Brutalist", "Conclave", "Emilia Pérez", and "Wicked" leading the charge. These technical achievements underscore the importance of behind-the-scenes work in bringing stories to life.

Animated, Documentary, and International Features: Diversity in Storytelling

The Animated Feature category offers a delightful mix of creativity, with "Flow", "Inside Out 2", "Memoir of a Snail", "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl", and "The Wild Robot" competing for the award. These films cater to a wide audience, blending humor, heart, and innovation.

Documentary Feature nominees include "Black Box Diaries", "No Other Land", "Porcelain War", *"Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat