2025 Oscars: Universal Dominates with Record-Breaking 25 Nominations, Netflix Shines with 16 Nods

The 2025 Oscars are shaping up to be a historic year for the film industry, with a diverse range of distributors and studios earning recognition for their cinematic excellence. Universal Pictures, Netflix, A24, and others have showcased their dominance and creativity in the race for the coveted Academy Awards. Here's a closer look at the nominations and the impact these distributors are making.

Universal Pictures Sets a New Record with 25 Nominations

Universal Pictures has shattered records this year by earning an incredible 25 Oscar nominations. This is the highest number ever achieved by the studio, surpassing last year’s 18 nominations, which were led by Oppenheimer, the Best Picture winner.

This year, Universal’s success comes from its larger film empire, including Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation. Universal Pictures itself bagged 13 nominations, while Focus Features added 11 more. Notably, Focus earned eight nominations for Conclave, tying with Brokeback Mountain and Milk as its most-nominated film in history.

Conclave has not only impressed the critics but also performed well at the box office, earning over $76 million globally. Meanwhile, DreamWorks Animation contributed to the success with its sleeper hit The Wild Robot.

Netflix Leads Individual Distributors with 16 Nominations

Netflix continues to dominate the Oscars conversation, earning the most nominations of any individual distributor with a total of 16. The streaming giant made history with Emilia Pérez, which secured an astounding 13 nominations. This marks a new record for a non-English-language film and places it just shy of the all-time record of 14 nominations, held by classics like Titanic, All About Eve, and La La Land.

Netflix’s impressive lineup this year highlights its commitment to diverse and groundbreaking storytelling, solidifying its position as a major player in the film industry.

A24’s Strong Showing with 14 Nominations

Indie powerhouse A24 continues its winning streak, earning 14 nominations. Leading the pack for A24 is The Brutalist, which secured 10 nominations. The film, already a Golden Globe winner, is considered a front-runner in the Oscars race. Despite playing in limited theaters, The Brutalist has already earned $5.9 million, showcasing its box office potential as it expands further.

A24’s ability to create buzz around its films and deliver high-quality storytelling makes it a favorite among critics and audiences alike.

Disney’s Film Empire Earns 15 Nominations

Disney’s vast film empire, including Searchlight Pictures, 20th Century Studios, and National Geographic Films, earned a total of 15 nominations this year. Searchlight Pictures led the charge with 10 nominations, including eight for A Complete Unknown and two for A Real Pain.

A Complete Unknown, a Best Picture contender, has been performing well at the box office, earning nearly $60 million since its Christmas Day release. Additionally, Pixar and Disney’s Inside Out 2, nominated for Best Animated Feature, is the highest-grossing animated film of all time, with $1.7 billion in worldwide ticket sales.

Indie Distributors and Other Notable Highlights

Independent distributor Neon also made a strong impact with seven nominations, six of which went to Palme d’Or winner Anora. This achievement places Neon ahead of major players like Warner Bros., which earned five nominations, and Paramount, which received three.

Warner Bros.’ nominations were all for Dune: Part Two, a Best Picture contender and global box office giant that grossed $705 million. Paramount’s nominations reflect its focus on specific standout projects rather than a wide slate.

The Academy’s Nominee Breakdown by Distributor

Here’s a summary of the top-performing distributors this year:

Universal Pictures (including Focus Features and DreamWorks): 25 nominations

Netflix: 16 nominations

A24: 14 nominations

Disney (including Searchlight, Pixar, and 20th Century Studios): 15 nominations

Neon: 7 nominations

Warner Bros.: 5 nominations

Paramount: 3 nominations

A Celebration of Diverse Storytelling

The 2025 Oscars reflect a celebration of diverse storytelling, with recognition spread across traditional studios, specialty divisions, streamers, and indie distributors. From Universal’s record-breaking achievements to Netflix’s groundbreaking non-English-language film, this year’s nominations highlight the evolution of the film industry.

As the awards ceremony approaches, all eyes will be on these contenders to see which films and distributors take home the gold. Regardless of the outcomes, the 2025 Oscars have already made history, cementing this year as a landmark moment in cinema.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Oscars, and don’t forget to catch these incredible films as they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.