Emilia Pérez’ Leads Oscars with 13 Nominations, Followed by ‘Wicked’ and ‘The Brutalist’ with 10 Each

Hollywood celebrated its resilience and creativity despite devastating wildfires as the 2025 Oscar nominations were announced on Thursday. At the forefront was Netflix’s groundbreaking narco-musical Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, which earned a record-breaking 13 nominations. The film, a Spanish-language, French-made production about trans identity, is already making history, positioning itself as a symbol of inclusivity and artistry in cinema.

Emilia Pérez Makes History

Emilia Pérez leads the Oscar race with nominations for Best Picture, Best Director (Jacques Audiard), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón. Gascón’s nomination marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first openly trans actor ever nominated for an Oscar. The film also garnered nods for two original songs and Zoe Saldaña’s powerful supporting performance.

“This recognition is a celebration of the global world we live in,” said Audiard in a statement, highlighting the film’s universal appeal and message of diversity.

The movie now holds the title of the most-nominated non-English language film in Oscar history, surpassing Netflix’s Roma, which earned 10 nominations in 2019. Only a few films — All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land — have received more nominations in Academy Awards history.

Netflix has long been chasing the Best Picture Oscar, with previous top contenders like Mank, The Irishman, and Roma coming up short. However, Emilia Pérez may finally turn the tide for the streaming giant.

Wicked and The Brutalist Shine

Following closely behind Emilia Pérez are two other standout films: Jon M. Chu’s lavish musical adaptation Wicked and Brady Corbet’s postwar drama The Brutalist, both receiving 10 nominations.

Wicked, a grand retelling of the Wizard of Oz story, earned nods for Best Picture and acting nominations for its stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The film’s spectacular visuals and heartfelt performances have resonated with audiences and critics alike.

Meanwhile, The Brutalist, a visually stunning epic shot in VistaVision, also secured nominations for Best Picture, Best Director (Brady Corbet), and acting nods for Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones.

Best Picture Contenders

This year’s race for Best Picture features a diverse slate of 10 nominees:

1. Emilia Pérez


2. Wicked


3. The Brutalist


4. Anora


5. A Complete Unknown


6. Conclave


7. Dune: Part Two


8. I’m Still Here


9. Nickel Boys


10. The Substance



Among the surprises was I’m Still Here, a Brazilian film depicting resistance under Brazil’s military dictatorship. It also earned Fernanda Torres a nomination for Best Actress. Another standout is RaMell Ross’s Nickel Boys, a daringly crafted drama that explores Black life and pain in a powerful way.

Major Acting Categories

The Best Actress category is particularly competitive this year. Demi Moore is considered the frontrunner for her transformative role in The Substance. She is joined by Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), and Mikey Madison (Anora).

Best Actor nominations went to Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice), Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave).

In the supporting categories, Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) are among the favorites, along with Ariana Grande (Wicked) and Guy Pearce (The Brutalist).

Wildfires and Challenges

This year’s Oscar nominations come against the backdrop of catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles, which have left parts of the city, including areas closely tied to the film industry, in ruins. Originally planned for January 17, the nominations were postponed due to the fires.

While some called for the Oscars to be canceled, the Academy has vowed to move forward, framing the event as a symbol of resilience. Organizers have promised to honor the recent hardships faced by the industry while celebrating creativity and unity.

Blockbusters and Animated Films

While superhero films and blockbusters were largely absent from the major categories, Inside Out 2 managed to secure a nomination for Best Animated Feature. It will compete against The Wild Robot, Flow, Memoir of a Snail, and Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.

The most commercially successful nominees this year include Wicked and Dune: Part Two, both of which grossed over $700 million worldwide.

A Wide-Open Race

Unlike last year, when Oppenheimer dominated the Oscars, this year’s race is wide open. With five weeks to go until the ceremony on March 2, several films — including Emilia Pérez, The Brutalist, Wicked, and Conclave — are seen as strong contenders for the top prize.

As Hollywood navigates through challenges, this year’s Oscars highlight the power of storytelling, representation, and perseverance. Whether it’s the groundbreaking achievements of Emilia Pérez or the dazzling spectacle of Wicked, the 2025 Oscars promise to celebrate the resilience and creativity of the global film community.