From Musicals to Milestones: What Sets the 2025 Academy Awards Apart from Previous Years

The 2025 Academy Awards nominations have been announced, showcasing a diverse array of films and performances that reflect the evolving landscape of cinema. Leading the nominations is Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez, a French-produced musical crime drama, which has made history with 13 nods—the most ever for a non-English-language film. Following closely are Wicked and The Brutalist, each securing 10 nominations.

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Historic Nominations and Milestones

Emilia Pérez has not only garnered critical acclaim but also broken significant ground in representation. Karla Sofía Gascón's nomination for Best Actress marks the first time an openly transgender performer has been recognized in this category. Additionally, Zoe Saldaña received a nod for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the same film.

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In the realm of musical adaptations, Wicked has made a significant impact. Cynthia Erivo's nomination for Best Actress and Ariana Grande's for Best Supporting Actress highlight the film's strong performances. Erivo's nomination is particularly noteworthy, as she becomes the first openly queer Black performer to be nominated for Best Actress.

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Notable Nominations Across Categories

The Best Picture category features a diverse lineup, including:

• Anora

• The Brutalist

• A Complete Unknown

• Conclave

• Dune: Part Two

• Emilia Pérez

• I'm Still Here

• Nickel Boys

• The Substance

• Wicked

In the acting categories, Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown earned him a Best Actor nomination, while Demi Moore received her first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Actress in The Substance.

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Snubs and Surprises

As with any awards season, the 2025 nominations have their share of surprises and omissions. Sebastian Stan's portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice earned him a Best Actor nomination, a decision that has sparked discussions due to the film's political relevance. Conversely, notable performances that were overlooked include Daniel Craig in Queer, Pamela Anderson in The Last Showgirl, and Selena Gomez in Emilia Pérez.

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Controversies and Discussions

Emilia Pérez has been at the center of debates, with some critics highlighting concerns over its portrayal of Mexican culture and themes. Despite these discussions, the film's historic number of nominations underscores its significant impact on the industry.

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Diverse Storytelling and Representation

This year's nominations reflect Hollywood's ongoing efforts to embrace diverse narratives and representation. Films like Nickel Boys delve into themes of resistance and identity, while The Substance offers a satirical take on societal obsessions. The recognition of Emilia Pérez and Wicked also highlights a broader acceptance of LGBTQ+ stories and performers in mainstream cinema.

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Looking Ahead

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Conan O'Brien set to host. As the event approaches, anticipation builds around which films and performances will ultimately take home the coveted Oscars. Regardless of the outcomes, the 2025 nominations have already set a precedent for diversity, representation, and the celebration of unique storytelling in cinema.

The 2025 Oscar nominations stand out from previous years in several key ways, reflecting shifts in industry trends, representation, and film recognition. Here are some of the most notable differences:

1. Emilia Pérez Breaks Records as a Non-English-Language Film

One of the biggest milestones this year is Emilia Pérez, a French musical crime drama that received 13 nominations—the most ever for a non-English-language film. This surpasses previous records and highlights the growing recognition of international cinema at the Academy Awards.

2. Historic Recognition for Transgender Performers

Karla Sofía Gascón, who stars in Emilia Pérez, became the first openly transgender performer nominated for Best Actress. This marks a significant step in the Academy’s evolving representation of LGBTQ+ performers in leading roles.

3. Increased Presence of Musicals

Musicals have often had mixed success at the Oscars, but this year, two major musical films—Emilia Pérez and Wicked—received multiple nominations, including in major categories like Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Wicked, an adaptation of the beloved Broadway hit, secured 10 nominations.

4. A More Diverse Best Picture Lineup

The Best Picture category this year includes a wide variety of genres, from sci-fi (Dune: Part Two) and crime musicals (Emilia Pérez) to political dramas (Conclave) and biopics (A Complete Unknown about Bob Dylan). This reflects a broader acceptance of storytelling styles beyond traditional Oscar fare.

5. Conan O’Brien as Host – A Return to Comedy-Driven Hosts

After years of rotating hosts and some controversy over the hosting format, Conan O’Brien will host the 97th Academy Awards. His appointment signals a return to comedy-focused hosts, reminiscent of past favorites like Billy Crystal.

6. Notable Snubs and Political Discussions

Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice earned him a Best Actor nomination, sparking discussions about political narratives in film. Meanwhile, major performances by Daniel Craig (Queer) and Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez) were left out, leading to heated debates among fans and critics.

7. First Oscar Nomination for Demi Moore

Despite her decades-long career, Demi Moore received her first-ever Oscar nomination for her role in The Substance. This recognition is a significant moment for her and highlights how the Academy is revisiting veteran actors in new ways.

Overall, the 2025 nominations showcase a shift towards greater diversity, genre inclusivity, and international recognition, setting them apart from previous years.