Oscars 2025 Predictions: A Look at the Contenders
As the dust settles on the 2024 Oscars, attention turns to the upcoming 2025 ceremony, with a slew of movies vying for a Best Picture nomination. Despite the unpredictability of awards season, some early contenders have emerged, with their potential to secure a nomination and even a win.
Predicted Best Picture Nominees and Winners
Screen Rant’s predicted Best Picture nominees for the 2025 Oscars include:
- Anora, directed by Sean Baker and starring Mikey Madison
- Conclave, directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes
- Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard and starring Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón
- The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet and starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones
- Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring a yet-to-be-announced cast
- A Complete Unknown, directed by James Mangold and starring an all-star cast
- Sing Sing, directed by Greg Kwedar and starring an ensemble cast
- Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya
- Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal
- The Room Next Door, directed by Pedro Almodóvar and starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore
Other Contenders
While these movies are the clear front-runners, other films are still in contention and hoping to emerge as awards season continues. Movies like Hard Truths, A Real Pain, Nickel Boys, and The Piano Lesson are building momentum, while international films like I’m Still Here, All We Imagine as Light, and The Seed of the Sacred Fig could make a late push.
Gladiator II: A Surprising Contender
Gladiator II, despite its mixed critical reception, still has a shot at a Best Picture nomination thanks to its legacy and involvement from Oscars heavyweights like Denzel Washington. However, its chances of winning are slim.
Wicked: A Dark Horse
Wicked, despite its initial doubts, is surprising with its precursor wins, including a Best Film win from the National Board of Review. Its Golden Globes nomination for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical adds to its chances, making it a potential dark horse contender.
Anora: The Clear Frontrunner
Anora, the clear frontrunner, won the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2024 and is expected to ride that momentum to the Oscars. Its distributor, Neon, has a track record of helping films like Parasite win the Best Picture award.
Conclave: A Serious Threat
Conclave, with its stacked cast and gripping story, is a serious threat to win Best Picture. Directed by Edward Berger, the film has racked up necessary nominations at the Golden Globes, AFI, and more, putting it in a good position to secure a nomination and even a win.