The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrated a year of cinematic excellence with standout performances and groundbreaking achievements. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the evening was marked by memorable moments, historic wins, and technical glitches that left some viewers in suspense.
Leading the pack, Sean Baker’s “Anora” emerged as the night’s biggest winner, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture. Baker himself made history by matching a 70-year-old record held by Walt Disney, winning four individual Oscars in a single night for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Picture. Mikey Madison’s portrayal of the titular character earned her the Best Actress award, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
Adrien Brody’s performance in “The Brutalist” garnered him the Best Actor award, adding a second Oscar to his illustrious career. In his acceptance speech, Brody reflected on the importance of storytelling in understanding our shared humanity. Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his role in “A Real Pain,” delivering a heartfelt and humorous speech that endeared him to the audience. Zoe Saldaña’s portrayal in “Emilia Pérez” earned her the Best Supporting Actress award, making her the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar in this category.
The ceremony opened with a show-stopping performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo walking down the yellow brick road of “Wizard of Oz”–inspired hits from Grande’s take on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the 1939 film to Erivo’s “Home” from “The Wiz” to, finally, their famous duet from “Wicked” that had everyone in the audience defying gravity of their own to leap out of their seats for a standing ovation.
A tribute to the James Bond franchise featured performances by Doja Cat, Lisa of Blackpink, and Raye, celebrating the series’ enduring legacy. Additionally, Morgan Freeman honored the late Gene Hackman with a poignant speech that resonated with attendees.
Despite the night’s successes, technical issues with Hulu’s streaming service interrupted viewers, particularly during Sean Baker’s acceptance speech for Best Director.
Adam Sandler added a touch of humor by attending the event in his signature casual attire, drawing laughs from the audience. While he skipped the 2025 Oscars red carpet, the famously casual comedian made a surprise cameo in the audience, wearing his signature oversized basketball shorts and an Aviator Nation Malibu Zip Hoodie.
“You’re dressed well, Adam,” host Conan O’Brien commented during his opening monologue at the Oscars, adding that Sandler was “dressed like a guy playing video poker at 2 a.m.”
“I like the way I look because I’m a good person,” retorted the “Grownups” star, who’s known for his love of pick-up basketball (and court-ready outfits). “I don’t care about what I wear or what I don’t wear,” he added. “Did my snazzy gym shorts and fluffy sweatshirt offend you so much that you had to mock me in front of my peers?”
Before leaving the Oscars, the comedian got in one last word, quipping, “You are all welcome to join me for a game of five-on-five basketball at Veteran Park tonight, midnight.”
Here is the full list of 2025 Oscar winners.
Best Picture: “Anora”
Best Director: Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best Actor: Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Best Actress: Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan, “Conclave”
Best Cinematography: Lol Crawley, “The Brutalist”
Best Film Editing: Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best Production Design: Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales, “Wicked”
Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell, “Wicked”
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli, “The Substance”
Best Original Score: Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist”
Best Original Song: “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez”
Best Animated Feature: “Flow”
Best Documentary Feature: “No Other Land”
Best Documentary Short: “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”