2025 Oscars Best Actor Predictions: Potential Nominees & Winner Insights

Contenders for Best Actor at the 2025 Oscars

The race for the 2025 Oscars Best Actor category is heating up, with an impressive lineup of competitors eager to snag their nominations. This prestigious award for the best leading male performance remains one of the focal points of the Academy Awards. Following Cillian Murphy’s historic win for his role in Oppenheimer in 2024, a fresh wave of actors aims to make their mark this year. The Academy will narrow down the potential nominees to five deserving candidates before selecting a single winner.

Typically, performances receiving nominations in the Best Actor category are aligned with films vying for Best Picture. With ten films identified as the year’s crème de la crème, it’s only natural for standout performances to emerge from this selection. Despite the intersection between the two categories, we’ve compiled some predictions for the Best Actor nominees for the upcoming Oscars.

Actor	Movie
1	Timothée Chalamet	A Complete Unknown
2	Ralph Fiennes	Conclave
3	Adrien Brody	The Brutalist
4	Colman Domingo	Sing Sing
5	Daniel Craig	Queer

Additional Actors in Contention for the 2025 Oscars

While our top five predictions are highlighted, several other performances may shake up the Best Actor landscape. Notably, Jesse Plemons is in the mix for his role in Kinds of Kindness. Sebastian Stan is also a contender, having struck gold with Golden Globe nominations for his dual roles in The Apprentice and A Different Man. John David Washington should not be overlooked for The Piano Lesson.

Jesse Eisenberg is generating considerable buzz for A Real Pain. After his previous Oscar nomination for The Social Network, he is again a strong contender, especially following Golden Globe recognition. This time, he appears to be in prime position to potentially displace Daniel Craig as a nominee, making the competition even fiercer.

In addition, past nominees like Andrew Garfield could garner attention for his moving role in We Live In Time, while Paul Mescal may surprise with Gladiator II. However, Joaquin Phoenix’s chances of repeating his Oscar nomination for Joker: Folie à Deux seem slim, along with Tom Hanks, who is also less likely to sneak in. The competition is tight, and with the list of predicted nominees looking robust, it may take extraordinary performances to break through.

5 Daniel Craig – Queer

Daniel Craig’s Oscar Journey

Daniel Craig’s portrayal in Queer positions him as a contender in the Best Actor race. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the film features Craig as an ex-military man in Texas exploring a romantic relationship with a younger man. Critics are lauding Craig’s performance as his career’s finest, further enhancing his standing in Oscar prospects.

Although Craig has yet to secure an Oscar nomination in his career, his strong support in Hollywood suggests a potential breakthrough in 2025. Queer represents a departure from his previous iconic roles as Bond, signaling a dramatic shift that critics are eager to embrace. A24’s support in the film’s Oscar campaign is expected to bolster his chances, following their success with Brendan Fraser’s win for The Whale.

Craig’s opportunity for recognition aligns with Guadagnino’s history of directing actors to Oscar nominations. His prior work with Timothée Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name is a testament to this potential. With a recent Golden Globe nomination under his belt, Craig’s performance needs to shine in the coming weeks as Queer broadens its theatrical release.

4 Colman Domingo – Sing Sing

Colman Domingo: An Emerging Star

Returning to the awards circuit, Colman Domingo is poised for another shot at the Oscars following his standout role in Rustin last year, which garnered him his first Oscar nomination. His powerful portrayal in Sing Sing is expected to resonate strongly with voters, cementing his place as a formidable candidate for this year’s awards.

Sing Sing debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, setting the stage for Domingo’s potential repeat nomination. A24 strategically positioned the film for contention at the 2025 Oscars, amplifying the momentum from his previous nomination. With increased support this year, Domingo could very well find himself as a top contender for Best Actor once again.

3 Adrien Brody – The Brutalist

The Comeback of Adrien Brody

Tested by time, Adrien Brody is making a strong comeback in the Best Actor race with his role in The Brutalist. Having previously claimed the Best Actor Oscar for The Pianist, Brody has been a talented but rare presence in top Oscar discussions since then. With two decades passing since his last nomination, this role signifies a pivotal moment in his career.

The expectations surrounding The Brutalist are high, as it is anticipated to compete in multiple categories this award season. Should Brody become the focal point of enthusiasm within the film, he stands a chance of rallying the voters behind him. With many early reviews praising his work so far, the challenge lies in gaining recognition from the actors’ branch.

Brody’s chances have improved considerably thanks to accolades from critics and several nominations in recent weeks, including a significant nod from the Golden Globes. With Craig’s position potentially waning, A24 is likely to focus its efforts on championing Brody and The Brutalist, enhancing the likelihood of a second Oscar win for him.

2 Ralph Fiennes – Conclave

Ralph Fiennes: The Silent Contender

Could 2025 be the year Ralph Fiennes finally clinches his first Oscar? His remarkable performance in Conclave has turned heads and is expected to resonate deeply with Academy voters. With nearly three decades passing since his last nomination, Fiennes is determined to seize this moment, especially considering his previous nominations in 1994 for Schindler’s List and 1997 for The English Patient.

His decades-long absence from nomination lists has curated a compelling narrative around his candidacy. If the film gains momentum, the awards buzz surrounding Fiennes could elevate his standing exponentially. Although he has earned recognition in critic circles, Fiennes will need a strong showing in other precursor awards to solidify his chances for a nomination and potential win.

1 Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown

Timothée Chalamet: A Rising Star

Timothée Chalamet is a front-runner for the Best Actor Oscar with his captivating performance in A Complete Unknown, where he portrays legendary musician Bob Dylan under the direction of James Mangold. This role is seen as potentially transformative, exhibiting Chalamet’s ability to embody Dylan’s essence, layering both his speaking and singing styles effectively. Biopics often receive Academy favor, particularly when they spotlight cultural icons.

This would mark Chalamet’s second nomination, as he was recognized previously in 2018 for Call Me By Your Name. Since then, his stardom has surged, balancing impactful roles in major films with more mainstream successes like Dune. While the Academy typically overlooks franchise performances, Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan positions him strongly, allowing recognition for his overall talent this award season.

Although it was close in 2018, when Chalamet lost to Gary Oldman, the momentum is clearly shifting. Chalamet’s recent Golden Globe nomination and cricit acclaim place him as the predicted victor for Best Actor, as winning would also make him the youngest to do so, surpassing Adrien Brody’s record. The 2025 Oscars could signal a fourth consecutive year with a first-time winner in this competitive category.

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