The 2025 Oscars: Winners, Speeches, Performances & Key Takeaways

The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, brought a night filled with celebration, historic wins, and unforgettable moments. Hosted by late-night legend Conan O’Brien, the ceremony delivered humor, heartfelt speeches, and dazzling performances. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Oscars, from the biggest winners to the most talked-about moments.

Key Takeaways from the 2025 Oscars

• Anora was the biggest winner of the night, taking home five awards.
• Conan O’Brien’s hosting was well-received, blending humor and sincerity.
• Powerful speeches addressed social issues, particularly Adrien Brody’s and Mikey Madison’s.
• Musical performances added grandeur and nostalgia to the ceremony.
• Historic wins included Zoe Saldaña becoming the first Dominican-American Oscar winner.

Biggest Winners of the Night

The biggest triumph of the night belonged to Anora, which secured five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker. The film’s lead actress, Mikey Madison, took home Best Actress, making her one of the youngest winners in Oscar history.

Other major winners included The Brutalist, which won three awards, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody. Wicked and Dune: Part Two each won two awards in technical categories.

Oscar Wins by Film:

• Anora - 5 Wins (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing)
• The Brutalist - 3 Wins (Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score)
• Wicked - 2 Wins (Best Production Design, Best Costume Design)
• Dune: Part Two - 2 Wins (Best Sound, Best Visual Effects)
• Emilia Pérez - 1 Win (Best Supporting Actress)

Conan O’Brien as Host

Making his Oscars debut, Conan O’Brien balanced sharp wit with genuine appreciation for the industry. His monologue took playful jabs at AI in filmmaking, Gen Z’s influence on Hollywood, and LA’s recent wildfires. He also praised the hard work of behind-the-scenes film professionals.

Memorable Acceptance Speeches

Adrien Brody (Best Actor, The Brutalist)

Brody delivered a powerful speech addressing themes of war, oppression, and the importance of inclusivity in storytelling. As the orchestra attempted to play him off, he firmly stated, 

“Not my first rodeo,” ensuring he completed his speech.

Mikey Madison (Best Actress, Anora)

At just 25, Madison made history as one of the youngest Best Actress winners. She dedicated her award to the sex worker community, stating, 

“I will continue to support those whose voices need to be heard.”

Zoe Saldaña (Best Supporting Actress, Emilia Pérez)

The first Dominican-American woman to win an Oscar, Saldaña gave an emotional speech thanking her family and team while humorously complimenting her husband’s hair.

Showstopping Performances

This year’s Oscars featured an array of breathtaking performances:

• Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo opened the night with a Wicked medley featuring “Over the Rainbow,” “Home,” and “Defying Gravity.”
• Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye honored the James Bond legacy with performances of Live and Let Die, Diamonds are Forever, and Skyfall.
• Queen Latifah paid tribute to Quincy Jones with Ease on Down the Road.
• Los Angeles Master Chorale performed Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem during the In Memoriam segment.

The 2025 Oscars blended cinematic excellence with unforgettable performances and groundbreaking moments, leaving audiences with a night to remember.

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What was your favorite moment from the 2025 Oscars? Let us know in the comments!