The Academy has spoken, and the 2025 Oscar nominations are finally here, bringing with them the usual mix of excitement, controversy, and head-scratching omissions. While many frontrunners made the cut, this year’s list of nominees also includes some surprising choices and glaring snubs. Let’s break it all down.
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Leading the Pack: Emilia Pérez
Despite its polarizing reception, Emilia Pérez leads the nominations with an impressive 13 nods. Though the film has faced criticism throughout awards season, Academy voters clearly couldn’t ignore its impact. Meanwhile, Wicked and The Brutalist each secured 10 nominations, solidifying their positions as heavyweights in this year’s race.
Snubs That Have Everyone Talking
Selena Gomez Shut Out
The Emilia Pérez trio of Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez has been dominating awards conversations. However, Gomez failed to secure a nomination for her supporting role, leaving fans and pundits alike stunned.
Selena Gomez in Emilia Pérez. (©Netflix/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
Luca Guadagnino’s Double Snub
Both of Guadagnino’s films, Challengers and Queer, were completely overlooked. Despite Challengers winning a Golden Globe for Best Score, it failed to translate that momentum into an Oscar nod. Additionally, Daniel Craig’s much-anticipated Best Actor nomination for Queer didn’t materialize.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Although widely praised for her performance in Hard Truths, Marianne Jean-Baptiste was snubbed once again, missing out on a Best Actress nomination.
Angelina Jolie
Long considered a frontrunner for her transformative role in Maria, Jolie’s omission from the Best Actress category has raised eyebrows.
A Real Pain
While Kieran Culkin continues to dominate the Best Supporting Actor race and Jesse Eisenberg secured a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, A Real Pain failed to clinch a Best Picture nod.
Nickel Boys
The visually innovative Nickel Boys was notably left out of the cinematography category, though its inclusion in the Best Picture lineup was a pleasant surprise.
Jon M. Chu
Despite Wicked earning 10 nominations, its director, Jon M. Chu, was left out of the Best Director category, a decision that has left many scratching their heads.
Surprises That Stole the Spotlight
The Substance
Who would have thought a campy horror film could achieve such accolades? The Substance shocked everyone by earning five nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay for Coralie Fargeat. Demi Moore also landed a Best Actress nomination, cementing the film’s place as a dark horse in this year’s race.
Demi Moore in The Substance. (Universal Pictures/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
Nosferatu
While horror films rarely dominate the Oscars, Nosferatu defied expectations with four nominations, including Production Design, Cinematography, Costume Design, and Makeup and Hairstyling.
Monica Barbaro
The rising star’s performance in A Complete Unknown earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination, proving the film’s growing momentum and the Academy’s affection for her portrayal.
Sebastian Stan
Stan’s nomination for portraying Donald Trump in The Apprentice caught many off guard. Having already won a Golden Globe for his comedic turn in A Different Man, his versatility is clearly resonating with voters.
I’m Still Here
The Brazilian drama continues to surprise, with Fernanda Torres earning a Golden Globe for her performance and the film itself securing a coveted Best Picture nomination. It’s a striking recognition for a movie many considered a long shot.
Looking Ahead
This year’s Oscar race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With wildfires in Los Angeles delaying the announcement and casting a shadow over the festivities, the stakes feel higher than ever. The ceremony is set to air on March 2, and all eyes will be on Hollywood to see who takes home the gold.
Who will triumph? Which snubs will sting the most? One thing’s for sure: the 2025 Oscars will be a night to remember.
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