97th Academy Awards Winners Revealed: Who Took Home the Oscars?

The 97th Academy Awards lit up Hollywood on March 2, 2025, celebrating the best in cinema with a night full of surprises, emotional speeches, and record-breaking wins. Held at the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, this year’s Oscars honored some of the finest performances, breathtaking storytelling, and groundbreaking filmmaking of the year.

The big winner of the night? Sean Baker’s Anora, which took home the Best Picture award, along with multiple other accolades. Meanwhile, Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, and Kieran Culkin were among the actors who left with golden statues in hand.

Let’s dive into the highlights, the biggest winners, and the most unforgettable moments from the 2025 Oscars.

"Anora" Steals the Show with Four Major Wins

The biggest winner of the night was Sean Baker’s Anora, a film that wowed both critics and audiences with its bold storytelling and captivating performances. The movie bagged Best Picture, marking Baker’s first major win in the category.

Baker himself walked away with three Oscars, winning Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing—a rare feat that cements his position as one of the most visionary filmmakers today.

The film’s lead actress, Mikey Madison, also made history, winning Best Actress for her powerful and emotional performance. This was her first Oscar win, and her acceptance speech left many in the audience teary-eyed.

Adrien Brody and Kieran Culkin Shine in Acting Categories

While Anora stole the spotlight in major categories, the acting awards were spread across various films, recognizing outstanding performances from Hollywood’s top talent.

⭐ Best Actor went to Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), proving once again why he remains one of the most compelling actors in the industry. His performance in the film was deeply moving, and his acceptance speech reflected his long journey in Hollywood.

⭐ Best Supporting Actor was awarded to Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), marking a huge career milestone for the actor. Known for his previous work in television, Culkin’s transition to film has been nothing short of spectacular.

⭐ Best Supporting Actress went to Zoe Saldaña for her incredible performance in Emilia Pérez. This win was a long time coming for Saldaña, who has built an impressive career spanning both blockbuster hits and indie films.

Technical Achievements: "Dune: Part Two" and "Wicked" Dominate

As expected, technical categories saw fierce competition, with visually stunning films battling for recognition.

🔊 Best Sound and Best Visual Effects both went to Dune: Part Two, a film that once again set a new standard for sci-fi filmmaking. Its breathtaking visuals and immersive sound design made it an easy choice for these categories.

🎭 Best Costume Design and Best Production Design were awarded to Wicked, which impressed audiences with its elaborate sets and dazzling costumes.

Animation, Documentary, and International Film: Recognizing Global Storytelling

The Academy Awards also honored some of the most impressive works in animation, documentary, and international cinema.

🎬 Best Animated Feature went to Flow, a beautifully crafted film that pushed the boundaries of animation.

🎥 Best Documentary Feature was awarded to No Other Land, a gripping and eye-opening film that left a profound impact on audiences.

🌍 Best International Feature Film was claimed by I'm Still Here (Brazil), proving that international cinema continues to thrive and tell powerful stories.

Music at the Oscars: "El Mal" Wins Best Original Song

The Best Original Song category was packed with incredible nominees, but in the end, "El Mal" from Emilia Pérez took home the award. The song, with its haunting melody and deep lyrics, captivated both voters and audiences, making it a well-deserved win.

Additionally, Best Original Score was awarded to Daniel Blumberg for The Brutalist, adding yet another win for the critically acclaimed film.

Full List of 97th Academy Awards Winners

Here’s a complete list of the 2025 Oscar winners:

🏆 Best Picture: Anora

🎬 Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)

🎭 Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)

🎭 Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)

🎭 Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

🎭 Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)

✍️ Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker (Anora)

✍️ Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan (Conclave)

🎞️ Best Animated Feature Film: Flow

🌍 Best International Feature Film: I'm Still Here (Brazil)

📽️ Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land

🎼 Best Original Score: The Brutalist – Daniel Blumberg

🎵 Best Original Song: "El Mal" (Emilia Pérez)

🔊 Best Sound: Dune: Part Two

🏛️ Best Production Design: Wicked

🎭 Best Costume Design: Wicked

💥 Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two

✂️ Best Film Editing: Anora

💄 Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance

🎥 Best Animated Short Film: In the Shadow of the Cypress

📜 Best Documentary Short Subject: The Only Girl in the Orchestra

🎬 Best Live Action Short Film: I'm Not a Robot

Unforgettable Moments from the 97th Academy Awards

🔥 Sean Baker’s Emotional Speech: After winning three Oscars in one night, Baker’s heartfelt speech about the power of independent filmmaking left the audience inspired.

🎤 Mikey Madison’s Tearful Moment: Winning Best Actress for Anora was a dream come true, and her raw, emotional reaction was one of the most touching moments of the night.

🏆 Surprise Win for Kieran Culkin: His Best Supporting Actor win was met with a standing ovation, marking a major milestone in his career.

🎶 Live Performances Stole the Show: The performance of "El Mal" was a show-stopper, bringing the audience to their feet with its stunning vocals and stage presence.

Final Thoughts: A Night to Remember

The 97th Academy Awards delivered everything we expect from Hollywood’s biggest night—excitement, surprises, and well-deserved wins. With Anora cementing its place in history, Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison shining in the acting categories, and technical masterpieces like Dune: Part Two and Wicked taking center stage, the night celebrated the best that cinema had to offer in 2025.

As we wrap up another Oscar season, one thing is certain—Hollywood continues to evolve, surprise, and inspire. Here’s to another year of cinematic brilliance!