The 2025 Oscars season is just around the corner, with nominations set to be revealed in a month and the winners announced two months after that. As the buzz of awards season builds, it becomes easy to see how certain films gain momentum and are positioned as leading contenders. These films are often shaped by an array of precursors that set expectations for what will be honored by the Academy Awards voting body, ultimately leading to a perception that many outcomes are predetermined.
Some films are indeed poised to achieve success throughout awards season. Our ongoing predictions for the Oscar nominees across various categories reflect this trend. Utilizing a range of data points, these forecasts offer educated insights into which movies are likely to resonate with voters. However, the Oscars have always been known for their unpredictability, often diverging from the expectations set by earlier award ceremonies. As we evaluate the current landscape, there are also some audacious predictions for the 2025 Oscars that would challenge mainstream expectations.
10 Denis Villeneuve Will Not Be Nominated For Best Director
His Work in Dune: Part Two Was Expected to Bring an Oscar Nomination
Denis Villeneuve is no stranger to the Oscars snubbing him in the Best Director category, evidenced by his exclusion for 2021’s Dune. For Dune: Part Two, many anticipated that he would finally receive recognition given the film’s acclaim. This sequel has been praised as an even more comprehensive adaptation of Frank Herbert’s beloved novel. With Villeneuve establishing himself as a top filmmaker who blends art house sensibilities with blockbuster potential, it was believed that he could secure a win akin to Christopher Nolan’s.
However, the reality may lead Villeneuve to miss out on a Best Director nomination in 2025. Despite his evident talent—which he clearly deserves recognition for—the current awards season hasn’t favored him significantly. His recent snub at the Golden Globes speaks volumes about the shift in momentum, leading to speculation that the Academy might choose to honor him with a nomination for Dune 3 instead.
9 Demi Moore Will Be Nominated For Best Actress
Her Bold Performance Is One of the Year’s Best
Demi Moore has delivered a powerful performance in The Substance, merit enough for Oscar recognition. While she isn’t currently favored by most predictions, that only adds to the boldness of this assertion. Her role in this body-horror film pushes conventional boundaries, as she artfully portrays a character spiraling into madness while authentically conveying Elisabeth’s complex emotions.
Historically, horror-tinged performances tend to be overlooked, which has relegated Moore to the periphery of Academy discussions for Best Actress. However, her remarkable comeback in a leading role cannot be discounted. Even if winning seems improbable, a nomination would be an essential acknowledgment from the Academy, potentially drawing more attention to her exceptional craft.
8 Sebastian Stan Will Become an Oscar Nominee For Best Actor
But for What Movie?
Though Sebastian Stan is widely recognized for his role as Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. The Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he has shown remarkable versatility with critically acclaimed performances in films such as I, Tonya and the series Pam & Tommy. In 2024, he shines in two pivotal roles in the films The Apprentice and A Different Man.
The significant shift from superhero films to dramatic fare positions Stan as a strong contender for a Best Actor nomination in 2025. Whether he is recognized for The Apprentice or A Different Man, he stands poised to secure his first Oscar nod, effectively shaking up the forecasted Best Actor race.
7 Denzel Washington Won’t Win Best Supporting Actor
He’s the Clear Favorite Right Now
Denzel Washington has been the talk of the town as the clear frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actor award since the release of Gladiator II. Even before its release, audiences were excited about his anticipated performance, which has considerably solidified his status as a likely winner.
However, as the awards season unfolds, some analysts argue that his victory may be threatened. Having already won two Oscars, Washington’s previous achievements could lead to a perceived stagnation in his campaign, potentially allowing rising talents like Kieran Culkin from A Real Pain to gain traction, priming him for an upset. With less momentum in Washington’s campaign, he could be on track to miss the prestigious milestone of becoming a three-time Oscar winner.
6 The Wild Robot Will Be Nominated For Best Picture
DreamWorks’ Movie Can Be a First
At the Oscars, the Best Picture lineup has traditionally catered to biopics, dramas, and other well-received mid-to-big-budget films. For 2025, anticipated nominees would include indies like Anora and Conclave, along with epic films such as The Brutalist, biopics like A Complete Unknown, and blockbusters like Wicked and Dune: Part Two. However, I’m boldly predicting that The Wild Robot will also make the cut.
Despite never having an animated film nominated for Best Picture, DreamWorks is poised for a breakthrough. While the film will likely nab a nomination for Best Animated Feature, its excellence in other categories, including Best Song and Best Score, could pave the way for a nomination in the leading category. It’s time for recognition for a film that stands out not only as an animated offering but as one of the best films of the year.
5 Gladiator 2 Will Not Win a Single Oscar
That’s a Huge Contrast to the Original Movie
Considering the original Gladiator received 12 nominations and won five Oscars—including Best Picture—there were high expectations for its sequel. Much anticipation surrounded Gladiator 2, expecting it to match or even exceed its predecessor’s accolades. Yet, initial reviews suggest that it may not shine as brightly in the awards race.
While the film is still expected to secure several nominations, it ultimately falls short of the original’s caliber. The anticipated nomination for Best Supporting Actor seems uncertain, as the competition is stiff, and recognition of its technical aspects might fall flat. Ultimately, if Denzel Washington does not win, it would leave Gladiator 2 without any recognition at all by the Oscars’ end.
4 Nosferatu’s Lily-Rose Depp Will Be Nominated For Best Actress
The Oscars Could Recognize True Horror
Typically, horror films struggle to gain traction at the Oscars, especially in the Best Actress category. Only a handful of horror-related performances, such as Jodie Foster’s in Silence of the Lambs and Kathy Bates’ in Misery, have secured such wins. The list of nominees has also been limited, with exceptional entries like Sissy Spacek’s in Carrie and Ellen Burstyn’s in The Exorcist standing out for their rarity.
However, 2024 may mark a shift with Nosferatu and Lily-Rose Depp’s standout performance. Early accolades for her work—from its emotional depth to her physical portrayal—indicate she could capture Oscar voters’ attention. The Best Actress race might be highly competitive, but this prediction is bold for a reason. If successful, Lily-Rose Depp would achieve something that eluded Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch.
3 Emilia Pérez Will Have the Most Oscar Nominations in 2025
Netflix Is Great at Securing Oscar Nominations
Emilia Pérez may divide opinions this awards season, but its visibility at the 2025 Oscars is assured. Potential nominations might appear in categories such as Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Song. However, there is potential for nominations across both technical and creative areas. This leads to the bold assertion that it may lead the Oscar nomination tally for all films.
Along with expected nominations, the film could see double nominations in Best Supporting Actress and Best Song. Also, it could capture additional spots in areas like Best Cinematography—leading to a promising total of near or even exceeding ten nods. This sets the stage for a possible showcase as the leader in nominations at the 2025 Oscars.
2 Wicked Will Win the Most Oscars in 2025
Wicked Could Be the Powerhouse of Awards Season
Wicked is generating increasing anticipation within the awards community, having recently enjoyed victories at various precursors, which bolstered its nomination projections. It has strong prospects in major categories like Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, and Best Costume Design. While these expectations are fairly solidified, the prediction that it will emerge as the biggest winner of the night adds a layer of risk.
With fierce competition expected from major titles like Anora, Conclave, The Brutalist, and Emilia Pérez—all considered potential frontrunners—the likelihood of Wicked pulling off surprises and walking away with five or more Oscars seems increasingly plausible. This potential triumph could position it as the top winner of the night, aligning with trends established in recent Oscar histories.
1 The 2025 Oscars Will Announce A Stunts Category Is Coming Soon
It’s About Time, Right?
This final audacious prediction does not concern winners or nominees for the 2025 Oscars. Instead, it revolves around the anticipated introduction of a Best Stunts category, with an announcement expected during the ceremony. After the promotional efforts by Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt for The Fall Guy at last year’s event, their return could offer a platform for this meaningful reveal.
Given the Academy’s recent commitment to launching a Best Casting award in 2026, the addition of a Best Stunts category would elevate the Oscars to a total of 25 categories, broadening the recognition of stunt work across the industry. This addition would undoubtedly be a valuable step forward for the 2025 Oscars, marking a significant recognition of the diverse talents involved in filmmaking.
Related Articles:
Essential Elements for a Friday the 13th Legacy Sequel
23:05
Disappointment in Quicksilver’s Death in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Kraven the Hunter
22:53
10 Uplifting Sci-Fi Movies That Deliver Feel-Good Endings
22:48
Leave a Reply